Yours Sincerely, Giraffe
What’s inside...
Giraffe is bored and seeking companionship. He decides to write a letter and send it across the horizon in hopes of finding a friend. To his delight, he discovers a pen pal, Penguin, who becomes his new friend.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
104 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Giraffe and Penguin become friends, even though they are so different?
How do you think Giraffe felt when he was trying to imagine what Penguin looked like? Have you ever imagined something similar?
Why do you think the author chose animals from different habitats to be friends?
How have Giraffe and Penguin shown kindness to one another throughout their letters?
If you were to write a letter to a new friend like Giraffe, what would you tell them about yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the similarities and differences between themselves and their friends, relating it back to Giraffe and Penguin's friendship.
Discuss the importance of communication and how Giraffe and Penguin maintain their friendship through letters, highlighting how they express their feelings and curiosity.
Prompt your child to think about how characters might feel in different situations within the book, fostering empathy and understanding.
After reading, ask your child to draw a picture of what they think a new animal character might look like if they were to join Giraffe and Penguin’s circle of friends.
Suggest writing a short letter together to a friend or family member, taking inspiration from the heartfelt messages exchanged between Giraffe and Penguin.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: In the story, Giraffe becomes curious about his distant pen pal, Penguin, and begins an imaginative exploration to understand his new friend’s world.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to ask questions and explore diverse cultures and environments, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of the world around them.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and communication
Explanation: Throughout their correspondence, Giraffe and Penguin share details about their lives, asking questions and genuinely learning about each other, which nurtures their friendship.
Real-World Application: This story can inspire children to maintain open lines of communication with their friends and learn effective ways to express themselves and listen to others.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: Giraffe faces challenges in understanding his friend’s world, which is quite different from his own. He uses creative methods to imagine and simulate Penguin’s environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn that creativity can be a valuable tool in solving problems and overcoming barriers, encouraging them to think outside the box in their daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Giraffe and Penguin exchange letters, they grow to understand each other’s feelings and perspectives, despite their differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance of empathy in building strong relationships and teaches children to consider and respect different viewpoints.
Example Lesson: Patience in building relationships
Explanation: Their friendship develops slowly through the exchange of several letters, showing that strong bonds take time and effort to build.
Real-World Application: Children will learn the value of patience and persistent effort in nurturing relationships, teaching them that instant gratification isn’t always possible or preferable.