The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
The story follows a young boy who befriends a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey. Together, they form the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company and embark on various adventures, including cleaning windows for the Duke of Hampshire and thwarting a burglary attempt.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the Giraffe, the Pelly, and the Monkey become such good friends?
If you had a Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, what special skills would you bring to it?
How do you think the Duke felt when his windows were being cleaned?
What would you do if you found a rare jewel like in the story?
How can we help others and make new friends like the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your favorite part of the book and ask your child about theirs.
Encourage your child to imagine and discuss alternatives to the story’s problem-solving methods.
Let your child explain the characters' decisions and discuss what they would do differently.
Relate the teamwork theme to your child’s experiences with friends or at school.
Ask open-ended questions that provoke thinking beyond the book to enhance creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters in 'The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me' work together to create a successful window cleaning company, showcasing the power of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together, whether in school projects or in family activities, fostering skills in cooperation and teamwork.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face various challenges, such as cleaning difficult-to-reach windows, and use their unique abilities to solve them.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and use their resources to overcome obstacles in daily situations, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Example Lesson: Persistence and determination
Explanation: The protagonist, along with his animal friends, does not give up despite the challenges they face, demonstrating the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence in achieving goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Kindness and caring
Explanation: The characters in the story care for each other and the customers they serve, exemplifying acts of kindness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be considerate and supportive towards others, promoting empathy and social connection in their community.
Example Lesson: Reward for hard work
Explanation: The characters’ hard work results in success and satisfaction in their business endeavor, showing that effort can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills in children that their efforts are worthwhile and encourages them to strive for achievement in their various pursuits.