My best friend is a giraffe by Roger Priddy. Illus. by Sian Roberts

Another in the Priddy Books series, My best friend is a giraffe is just as warm and funny as My best friend is a dinosaur. Both books use a variety of materials for younger readers to touch and feel as the rhyming lines are read to them. They will enjoy the sensory attraction. and join in with the reading, predicting the rhyming word and eventually joining in with the text. The giraffe’s face on the front cover is covered in a furry material, making it instantly attractive to younger readers. Their hands will roam over the whole front cover as they take in the extent of the material. A small bird flies over his head and as the best friend describes the giraffe as the book is read. This singular giraffe likes to wear a red bow tie, and likes to try anything, especially skating. She loves cake, she plays the saxophone at night, but other residents do not seem as keen as she. The two friends do a lot of things together, and even though they are quite different get along very well. The soft touching on each double page will draw readers in as they listen to the book being read to them and the humour on each page is sure to draw plenty of laughs.

Themes: Giraffes, Best friends, Friendship, Humour.

Fran Knight