No one likes moving, especially Geraldine the giraffe. It doesn’t help when her mother reminds her not to be a drama queen or when her father suggests that moving will be “a Grand Adventure.” Back in Giraffe City, Geraldine was just Geraldine. But as the only giraffe at her new school, she feels like “That Giraffe Girl.”
Never shy before, Geraldine now hides behind trees and basketball poles during lunch and recess. But one day, Geraldine discovers someone else in her lunchtime hiding spot: a girl named Cassie with a long, twisty braid who identifies herself as “that girl who wears glasses and likes MATH and always organizes her food.” As Geraldine and Cassie hide and hang out together, they realize that they’re not so unusual.
In her debut picture book, Elizabeth Lilly’s unpretentious illustrations depict Geraldine’s range of emotions through her spirited, wiggly neck. As Geraldine and Cassie gain confidence and new friends just by being themselves, Geraldine begins to stand a little taller. To readers, Geraldine will always stand out humorously among her new classmates, but she also fits right in with them, playing, dancing and hiding (in a game of hide-and-seek).
Although Geraldine is a giraffe, her experience will resonate with any child who’s ever had the difficult task of moving and starting over with new friends.
This article was originally published in the July 2018 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
