Why Giraffe has a Long Neck – Tinga Tinga Tales

Text: Edward Gakuya and Claudia Lloyd

Illustrations: Noah Mukono

Year: 2011

Publisher: Puffin Books, UK

Age: 4 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, Traditional

ISBN:  978 0 14133 505 6

According to the book, Tinga-Tinga Tales are 'inspired by traditional animal stories from Africa and the Tingatinga artwork of Tanzania. Here’s another beautiful Tinga Tinga tale of how the Giraffe came to have her long neck.

Many, many years ago, Giraffe had short legs and a stumpy neck. After a mango-eating binge, Giraffe is on the lookout for some honey to soothe her tummy. She finds a honeycomb in the hollow of a tree and sticks he head in for a long slurp. Unfortunately, her head gets stuck. The other animals, try to help by pulling her legs. The legs get stretched but Giraffe remains stuck.

The animals help again by pulling the tree off Giraffe. They only manage to stretch her neck and so they stop.

When she finally, pulls her head out by herself, three seasons have gone by and Giraffe has been transformed into the tallest animal in the land.

Excerpt

And while they were playing, Giraffe’s tree grew taller, the leaves turned brown and autumn came! The animals wondered what to do

Then Monkey had an idea.

“I know, let’s pull the tree off Giraffe!”

Wild Things: Monkey in the garden

Author: Lisa Regan

Illustrator: Kelly Caswell

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 24

ISBN:  978 1 40817 940 6

I loved this wildlife series for little children. Friendly illustrations, uncluttered text in an engaging font, neat little chapters each with a quirky “You will need” section are some of the reasons why you might want this book for your little one or for your school library.

Besides, this book is a fund-raising initiative from the Zoological Society of London, a charity that provides help for animals while also running the ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

Other books in this series include

•     Elephant in the attic
•     Emu on the loose
•     Giraffe on a sleepover
•     Hippo in the house
•     Lion who came to lunch
•     Penguin in the post
•     Tiger at the door

Excerpt

A monkey uses its tail like an extra arm, to grip onto branches.

The end of a monkey’s tail has a tough pad of skin.

A monkey can hang from branches by its tail alone.

I like Monkeys because …

Author: Peter Hansard

Illustrator: Pat Casey

For Ages: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 38

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Year: 2010

ISBN: 978-1-56402-196-0

Amongst the many friendly books that are available to introduce children to the animal world, I liked this one a lot. The friendly water-color illustrations make the books friendly for even the little ones.

The text is very child friendly and jargon-free despite offering a wealth of information on the world of monkeys.

Definitely, one for your nature library. 

Excerpt

I like monkeys because …

I like the funny way they play. Young ones tease and trick, then scamper off as fast as they can go.

I like monkeys because …

I like the way they jump from branch to branch, from tree to tree. 

Five-Minute Jungle Tales

Author: Jan Payne

Illustrator: Peter Rutherford

Year: 2002

Publisher: Parragon Books, UK

Age: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 46

ISBN: 978 0 75257 002 1

This fantastic mini-collection of jungle tales has to be among the best animal tales I've read so far. The animals’ roles and habitat are mostly intact and yet each tale is packed with humor, wit and pragmatism that make it relevant to children.

The tales feature a monkey who wants to grow tall, rather quickly, a hippopotamus whose best friend is a hermit crab, a crocodile who can’t stop smiling, a lonely lion, an annoying tiger who copies others and a forgetful elephant.

Now, that ought to pique your curiosity. This is a must-have. :-)

Excerpt

So they built another house, this time of bamboo.

“This won’t blow away ,” said Custard.

But an elephant appeared. And, oh dear! Bamboo is an elephant’s favourite food.

“Yummy!” said the elephant. “Thanks for bringing me my breakfast!” And he stuffed Custard’s house into his mouth!