Today is not only the start of summer (Hello love!), my cousin’s birthday (have the happiest!) and International Yoga Day, but it is also World Giraffe Day!
World Giraffe Day is an exciting annual event initiated by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to celebrate the longest-necked animal on the longest day or night (depending on which hemisphere you live!) of the year – 21 June – every year!
Here are some picture books to share with your favorite young readers to learn about giraffes.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Giraffes Can’t Dance is a touching tale of Gerald the giraffe, who wants nothing more than to dance. With crooked knees and thin legs, it’s harder for a giraffe than you would think. Gerald is finally able to dance to his own tune when he gets some encouraging words from an unlikely friend.
How do you say? = ¿Como se dice? / Angela Dominguez.
Hello! ¡Hola! Some people speak Spanish. Some people speak English. Although we may not speak the same language, some things, like friendship, are universal!
Follow two young giraffes as they meet, celebrate, and become friends. This bilingual tale will have readers eager to meet new friends and amigos.
The little giraffe who couldn’t sleep by Makenna G Hilliard
Pumpkin is a sweet little giraffe who can’t sleep!He needs water, an extra pillow, and a blanket, but he still can’t sleep. With his mama’s help, he finally finds a way to fall asleep.
No Spots For Gilda Giraffe by Lucie Papineau
To keep warm while searching for her spots blown away by the North Wind, Gilda the giraffe tries on the coats of several of her animal friends, but still longs for her pretty, funny spots.
One Word From Sophia by Jim Averbeck
Sophia tries varied techniques to get the giraffe she wants more than anything in this playfully illustrated story about the nuances of negotiation.
Sophia has one true desire for her birthday. But she has Four Big Problems in the way: Mom, Dad, Uncle Conrad…and Grand-mama.
Celebrate these gentle creatures with some books or visit the Giraffe Conservation Foundation online. This year, the GCF has announced that World Giraffe Day is dedicated to saving Masai giraffe in Kenya and Tanzania.
Giraffe have recently been listed as Vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Giraffe numbers in Africa have plummeted by a staggering 40% over the last 30 years. We estimate today that there are only less than 100,000 giraffe remaining in all of Africa.
Some populations have been harder hit than others and Masai giraffe seem to be taking the brunt of it. As one of the most populous giraffe populations in Africa, there are only 32,000 Masai giraffe remaining in southern Kenya and Tanzania. Their number has dropped by more than half in the last 30 years. And this trend continues.
Masai giraffe are under threat and you can help us make a difference.
r’s note: affiliate links are used in this post. If you make a purchase, I will receive a small commisiion.
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