The Short Giraffe

The giraffes are very excited to be photographed for posterity as “the tallest animals in the world.” The odd giraffe out, however, is Geri, “the shortest giraffe who ever lived,” who barely makes it into the shot. The conventional approach would have the larger giraffes shunning Geri, prompting him to earn their respect and thus ensure a happy ending. But debut talents Flory and Cleary, both advertising creatives, are thinking Management 101, not morality play, and so their story unfolds in a wholly refreshing manner. The full-size, toothy-grinned giraffes cheerily insist that Geri join them, and in a series of visually economic and gently slapstick scenes set against a Kraft paper–like backdrop, Geri is subjected to their ideas for bringing him “up to our level” (including filling him with helium). It takes a wise caterpillar to suggest the big guys rethink their approach. Simple and sunny, this story nonetheless makes it clear that “well-meaning” isn’t always enough—that if you believe the kid stays in the picture, then maybe it’s the picture that needs changing. Ages 2–5. (Mar.)