Tears of the Giraffe (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 2)

Book Description

Precious Ramotswe is the eminently sensible and cunning proprietor of the only ladies’ detective agency in Botswana. In Tears of the Giraffe she tracks a wayward wife, uncovers an unscrupulous maid, and searches for an American man who disappeared into the plains many years ago. In the midst of resolving uncertainties, pondering her impending marriage to a good, kind man, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, and the promotion of her talented secretary (a graduate of the Botswana Secretarial College, with a mark of 97 per cent), she also finds her family suddenly and unexpectedly increased by two.

Customer Reviews:

What's not to love???.......2007-06-04

Loved it! This author writes with clarity and passion such that I find myself immersed in his work. Truly a don't miss!

A Beautiful Life.......2007-05-31

An enchanting book for all ages, of a good, quiet, content, polite world. No violence, no sex, no sadness. Characters are satisfied with the way they look, and the way they live, and have plenty to give! This book encourages moral, social, and family ties. It promotes the almost-forgotten concept of active involvement in bringing happiness to others, and hence to oneself. In this novel, Africa is forever warm, colorful, friendly, and proud.

Outstanding Stories.......2007-04-06

I have read everyone of Alexander McCall Smith's books of life in Africa and I loved everyone of them. Alexander McCall Smith is a great story teller and his characters come to life. His talent in describing the everyday events in the life of his characters is nothing less than brilliant. Do yourself a favor, read any one of his books and you will be transformed into the life of
people you don't meet everyday.

The Adventures of Mma Ramotswe continue.......2007-03-03

In TEARS OF THE GIRAFFE the wonderful sequel to THE NO.1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY, Mma Ramotswe, the strong, feisty, proud but compassionate lady detective (the only in Botswana, maybe Africa) faces new challenges both in her life and in her work. Upon her engagement to the kind, reliable mechanic, Mr. J.L.B Matekoni, she ponders a possible move, negotiates the purchase of her engagement ring (diamond, of course!) and suddenly finds herself a new mother of two children. She is also called upon by an American mother to resolve the mystery of her son, who disappeared in the desolate Kalahari Plains many years ago, and track the modern, 'wayward' wife of a honest butcher.

Like its predecessor, this book is not your typical "who dun it" detective story- in fact, the detective element figures in this story even less than in the first novel. Mma Ramotswe only solves two cases- actually, she solves only one, as the other is solved by her able, newly promoted Assistant, Mma Makutsi. Rather, the novel focuses on developing solid characters (apart from Mma Ramotswe, we get much more insight in this novel into the characters of Mr. J.L.B Matekoni and Mma Makutsi) and highlights life in Botswana and the views of its proud people.

Unlike its predecessor, this book has more of a focus on ex-pats and development workers, which I found interesting as an ex-pat development worker in Africa. Mma Ramotswe comments that Ex-pats often do not have good manners (ie, would shake with one hand, leaving the other hand free for 'mischievous activities') and do not understand simple, obvious issues such as the fact that the dead are always with us. Ex-pat development workers, although well-meaning, are always coming up with bizarre, idealistic theories and schemes. They are always giving advice, always trying 'to change the world.' But, as Mma Ramotswe says, vegetables just were not meant to be grown in the Kalahari desert! Furthermore, "Africa needs its own solutions."

This novel also focuses on moral issues: Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B Matekoni both lament the loss of 'the Old Botswana morality' which promotes hard work and a respect for elders. Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi struggle with moral questions such as, does the end justify the means? Ie, is it okay to lie, manipulate and blackmail to get a desired, even just, result? The novel ends on a beautiful note, suggesting that in order to heal after loss, compassion, understanding and reconciliation maybe more important than strict justice.

love the detective agency.......2007-01-24

I love the descriptions of the life and places in these books. Very rich.

Average customer rating:

Dance like no one is watching!
Great story and art work
Beautiful Book
Charming with a great moral
Beautiful Book , great story!

Giraffes Can't Dance
Giles Andreae
Manufacturer: Orchard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Rumble in the Jungle
Commotion in the Ocean
Down By The Cool Of The Pool
Dinosaurumpus!
K Is For Kissing A Cool Kangaroo

ASIN: 0439287197

Amazon.com

Gerald the giraffe doesn't really have delusions of grandeur. He just wants to dance. But his knees are crooked and his legs are thin, and all the other animals mock him when he approaches the dance floor at the annual Jungle Dance. "Hey, look at clumsy Gerald," they sneer. "Oh, Gerald, you're so weird." Poor Gerald slinks away as the chimps cha-cha, rhinos rock 'n' roll, and warthogs waltz. But an encouraging word from an unlikely source shows this glum giraffe that those who are different "just need a different song," and soon he is prancing and sashaying and boogying to moon music (with a cricket accompanist). In the vein of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Gerald's fickle "friends" quickly decide he's worthy of their attention again.

With this rhyming, poignant (in a cartoonish way) tale, Giles Andreae, author of Rumble in the Jungle, and numerous other picture books, shows insecure young readers that everyone can be wonderful, even those that march to the beat of a different cricket. The rhymes are somewhat awkward, but the bold, bright watercolors by Guy Parker-Rees will invite readers to kick up their heels and find their own internal harmony. (Ages 3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

Gerald is a giraffe who simply can¹t dance. Try as he may, his long, spindly legs buckle whenever he starts to boogie. Every year he dreads going to the Great jungle Dance, until one night he finds his own special music.

Customer Reviews:

Dance like no one is watching!.......2007-07-01

The artwork in this one just pops off the page! The story is precious and it catches a lovely rhyme! Tango, Salsa and ChaCha are all within your reach as you cheer for this awkward giraffe to bust a move! A great read aloud!

Great story and art work.......2007-04-10

This is a great must have book for your child's library! It is good for ages 0-6 years at least! I checked this book out from the library and just had to buy a copy for home! Great for gift giving also!

Beautiful Book.......2007-02-05

This book is such an enjoyment for myself as well as my two year old. I love the illustrations, which is what caught my attention at the store and led to the purchase. However when I came home and read it to my daughter I also fell in love with the story. This is a definate must have in your library, and I think Giles Andreae's best book.

Charming with a great moral.......2007-02-01

This is such a delightful book. I love the whimsical illustrations, charming rhymes, and the moral of the story- "We all can dance if we find music that we love". Gerald the Giraffe (who doesn't seem to be able to dance) ends up finding his own unique rythm. This is one of the few books that I never tire of reading (oh, and my 3 year old son likes it too!)

Beautiful Book , great story!.......2007-01-10

I bought this book for my 18 month old son and I love it. The pictures are beautiful and it is a great story with a nice message. The story is a little long for his attention span right now but he loves looking at the pictures. It is one of our favorites!

Average customer rating:

Silverstein at his best
Cute Book!
A Giraffe and a Half
Keeps Kids Attention
A Giraffe and a Half

A Giraffe and a Half

Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Falling Up
A Light in the Attic
Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros?

ASIN: 0060256559

Book Description

If you had a giraffe
and he stretched another half …
you would have a giraffe and a half.
And if you glued a rose
to the tip of his nose …
And … if he put on a shoe
and then stepped in some glue …
And if he used a chair
to comb his hair …

And so it goes until … but that would be telling. Children will be kept in stitches until the very end, when the situation is resolved in the most riotous way possible.

Shel Silverstein's incomparable line drawings add to the hilarity of his wildly funny rhymes.

Customer Reviews:

Silverstein at his best.......2007-05-25

"Giraffe and a Half", like all other Silverstein's books, belongs to my favorite children's book. Silverstein's rhymes and poems, songs and riddles work for everybody with a degree of imagination. I read it to my youngest son so often that he began to memorizing it... Another great book that I bought for my older son for Christmas is "Why Some Cats are Rascals, Book 1" by B. Nowiki. Nowiki is totally different then Silvestein, but she also has a great gift of teaching children the best moral values while at the same time keeping the story captivating. Other children's books I recommend:
Where the Wild Things Are
Where the Sidewalk Ends 30th Anniversary Edition: Poems and Drawings

Cute Book!.......2006-08-10

I was such a big fan of Silverstein when I was a kid. Now my girlfriend's daughter gets to hear me read his works to her. This book in particular is so cute. I think I might like it more than she does but she just turned 2 so time will tell how much she likes it.

A Giraffe and a Half .......2006-07-05

Silly book. My one year old loves it because it is repetative. Pictures are hilarious.

Keeps Kids Attention.......2006-03-13

As always Shel Silverstein's books amuse and keep my daughter's attention. I enjoyed them as a child and now my child enjoys them. A giraffe and a half is wonderfully silly and keeps you smiling page after page.

A Giraffe and a Half.......2006-03-08

Shel Silverstein is always delightful. While this one is not quite in the same class a "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and "A Light in the Attic", it seems to delight younger children with its rhymes and nonsense. They always laugh at the breathlessness of the reader as the tale progresses. Definitely a keeper.

Building a House for Diversity: A Fable About a Giraffe & an Elephant Offers New Strategies for Today's Workforce

Average customer rating:

Good intro to diversity in organizations
Finally a book that pulls it all together
A Disappointing Reflection of Limits on Diversity-Thinking
INTRODUCES THE IDEA OF DIVERSITY MATURITY & EFFECTIVENESS.

Building a House for Diversity: A Fable About a Giraffe & an Elephant Offers New Strategies for Today's Workforce
R. Roosevelt Thomas , Marjorie I. Woodruff , and R. Roosevelt, Jr. Thomas
Manufacturer: AMACOM/American Management Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Workplace | Organizational Behavior | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Beyond Race and Gender: Unleashing the Power of Your Total Work Force by Managing Diversity
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The Diversity Toolkit : How You Can Build and Benefit from a Diverse Workforce

ASIN: 0814404634

Book Description

What could an elephant and a giraffe teach people about working together? Some very important lessons, it seems, about the complex--and critically important--issues of dealing with diversity in the workforce.

Building a House for Diversity begins with a short fable about how a friendship between the two animals is threatened when the house built for a tall, skinny giraffe cannot accommodate his invited guest, a broad, bulky elephant. Using this story as a vivid metaphor for the difficult issues inherent in diversity, the book goes on to demonstrate how managing diversity can be seen as a set of skills that anyone can learn--and use.

In a way that makes diversity management "up close and personal," Building a House for Diversity offers compelling, real-life stories of individual experiences at work. It includes:

* the perspective of both "insiders" (usually white males) and "outsiders" (usually minorities or women) * insightful commentary illuminating what these experiences tell us about the challenges and opportunities of diversity * a particularly interesting segment on Phil Jackson, legendary Chicago Bulls coach, and how he dealt with diversity issues in his relationships to Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippin, and others * hands-on guidance to help readers become "diversity mature" and take personal responsibility for their attitudes and actions.

Throughout, the book reflects the seminal thinking of R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., a pioneer in articulating the concepts of managing diversity. In this book, he has produced his most creative and practical approach to this continuing challenge.

Customer Reviews:

Good intro to diversity in organizations.......2003-11-14

I have used this as a supplement to a textbook in a class on industrial organization psychology. Just about every student finds it helpful and sees it as a fresh perspective on diversity. It sets a tone for thoughtful discussions on diversity through the semester.

Finally a book that pulls it all together.......2003-06-27

Cheers to Dr. Thomas for providing a book that is one of the first -- in my opinion -- to present a clear picture of the need to address workforce, workplace and marketplace diversity. I came away understanding that to address one or two of these components without addressing the third is like commissioning a two to three mile dig, when all the geological reports tell you that oil is six miles down. Half and quarter steps will not lead to success. In the most simple straight-forward way, starting with a powerful parable, Dr. Thomas drives home the point that for true strategic benefits organizations need to make a balance commitment to the all three components.

Another great take-away from this book is Dr. Thomas's model for identifying and differentiating between business requirements and preferences.

All in all this is an extremely powerful book that should be in every manager's library. Thank you Dr. Thomas.

Joe Santana
Co-author of Manage I.T.

A Disappointing Reflection of Limits on Diversity-Thinking.......2002-01-20

I anxiously looked forward to reading this book. Given the titles of Thomas's previous books, Redefining Diversity and Beyond Race and Gender, and the title of this one I expected more than passing reference to the disability community. I was disappointed.

We are told (p.84) that "I'm becoming more aware of sexual preference and physical ability diversity as well." Although I'm not one to get hung up on word choice, others are, and those locutions aren't popular in gay, lesbian, or disability-preference communities. In the latter are millions of people with ADHD and psychiatric disabilities, and for these millions to be excluded from a "house for diversity" would make it a "house divided against itself."

A tipoff for readers is the Personal Diversity Maturity Index. The reader is asked "What is the most important reason to respond to diversity?" The preferred answer has nothing to do with justice and social change, or even with building a house that will include your neighbors, your parents, your kids, and possibly you. It's "The diversity-mature manager recognizes that diversity is good for business."

INTRODUCES THE IDEA OF DIVERSITY MATURITY & EFFECTIVENESS........1999-04-09

Using a short fable as metaphor and a springboard, shows how managing diversity relies upon building skills and changing mindsets. Most of the book presents case studies of how people who face diversity challenges on the job address them. Closing chapters provide some general guidelines for individuals and organizations for achieving diversity maturity-knowledge about and comfort with the dynamics of diversity-and diversity effectiveness-the ability to deal with people distinctly diverse from you. An interesting work that is nearly on a par with the author's most outstanding contribution, "Beyond Race and Gender." Reviewed by Yvette Borcia, co-founder, Stern & Associates, co-author of Stern's Sourcefinder: The Master Directory to HR and Business Management Information & Resources, Stern's CyberSpace SourceFinder, and Stern's Compensation and Benefits SourceFinder.

Average customer rating:

Giraffes, who knew?
Out of this world!
Totally unexpected!
Hippoes and Hummus Haters
Inspired Silliness!

Giraffes? Giraffes!
Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743267265

Book Description

GIRAFFES?
GIRAFFES!

For many years the scientific and educational community has wondered and worried about the possibility that semi-sane scholar-pretenders would find the means to put out a series of reference books, filled with ludicrous misinformation and aimed at children.

So here we are with GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! by Dr. and Mr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey. A world-renowned and much feared expert on everything, Dr. Doris Haggis-On-Whey has seventeen degrees from eighteen institutions of higher learning. With her husband, Benny, she has traveled the world many times over, has learned about all aspects of life, including outer space and food, first hand.

When is the last time you actually sat down and had a conversation with a giraffe? That's what I thought. You are hopelessly clueless on giraffe culture, their likes/dislikes and voting patterns -- most giraffes are probably libertarian. GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! is the authoritative text on the biology, history and overall nature of giraffes.

You are so behind on giraffes that it's rather embarrassing and you obviously need this book more than health insurance. Things you probably don't know about giraffes -- and can only be found in this book -- include giraffes' preferred mode of transportation (conveyor belt), what their bodies are made of (paper mache, a clock, fruit juices and a super-strong lightweight titanium alloy), where most giraffes live (Terra Haute, Indiana -- known for many things, including buildings made of wood and ground made of dirt), and basic giraffe history (in 50,000 B.C giraffes began to hang out with primitive man, they found him to be likeable and helped him paint buffaloes in caves).

Cheat Sheet on Giraffes (good for slumber parties and barroom brawls):

• Giraffes invented plastic. "No, not plastic--latex. My bad. Still, though isn't that amazing?"

• Frequently Asked Question: Why do we call giraffes "giraffes?" Answer: Because when they came to Earth they asked us to.

• Rarely Asked Question: How fast can giraffes run? The giraffes have tried to phase out running from their lives but if they had to, they could still run much faster than you. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that they can run 780 mph.

With the wit and irreverent sense of humor for which Dave Eggers and McSweeney's is known, comes the first volume in the revolutionary Haggis-On-Whey World of Unbelievable Brilliance books. More than just entertaining and informative, GIRAFFES? GIRAFFES! will help you appear smarter, more in touch with your sensitive side and whiten your teeth. And much, much more that will likely sicken you.

Customer Reviews:

Giraffes, who knew?.......2007-01-05

Simply one of the most informative books ever written. I would recommend "Your disgusting head" as a good second read.

Out of this world!.......2006-08-08

This is art and one rarely comes across art that is this beautiful and this close to being relevant. It's hard to deny the randomness in the order with which thoughts, figures, questions and answers appear in this book but that's what makes it so much more enjoyable. The story seems to be powered by a secret source of energy that exists at the boundary between "real" and "imaginary." The authors frequently cross this boundary on either direction without missing a beat, reminding us how great it is to think freely. What's really great is that this story has no beginning and no end so you can really go back and read it over and over again. Just make sure you don't read it 12 times...

Totally unexpected!.......2006-07-16

I bought this book yesterday and haven't stopped laughing. I work at a zoo and we just got Giraffes so I thought it might be educational. Boy was I right! It's the funniest book I've read in a long time. I highly reccommend it if you are wanting a good laugh or need to know how to make sandwiches for them.
As for the reviewer who gave this book one star (the only negative review I might add) Are you disappointed that you didn't read what the book was about ahead of time or just unable to laugh at anything? You act like this book was in the reference section! This book is hilarious to humans and giraffes!

Hippoes and Hummus Haters.......2006-06-22

Haggis-on-Whey's highly educational book on the mating season of hippoes totally rocks. I was so surprised by so many unknown facts. For instance, hippoes wear lipstick when it rains. And did you know that hippoes don't appreciate the efort of penguins in their making of the Cross Continential Railroad? Pig-heels are their favorite food. I was most startled by the picture of a hippo eating cinnimon apple sauce. I highly reccommend this book for squirel monkeys and Ted Nugent and scientists named BENNY. Rock on Madagascar!

Inspired Silliness!.......2006-03-27

If you are into an overabundance of satire and enjoy absurdist humor, then you should buy this book and read every single word including the copyright and any other errant bits you come across. Call it a one trick pony for the type of humor, but speaking for myself, and all but one of the reviewers below, I don't find myself getting at all tired of the trick and flip though it whenever I'm in need of a smile. I hope you find it makes you laugh as much as I do. And if not, more the pity for you!

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Box Set: "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" "Tears of the Giraffe" "Morality for Beautiful Girls"

Average customer rating:

Excellent reading!
The NO. 1 Ladies Detective Agenc Box Set
as fresh as a palm tree in spring
The world's most non-stop pleasant novel series
An Outstanding Series!

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Box Set: "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency" "Tears of the Giraffe" "Morality for Beautiful Girls"
Alexander Mccall Smith
Manufacturer: Anchor
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Women Sleuths | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

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The Kalahari Typing School for Men (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 4)
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The Good Husband of Zebra Drive (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency 8)

ASIN: 0679789758
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Book Description

The first three books in Alexander MCCall Smith's beloved bestselling series, featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe, the traditionally built, eminently sensible, cunning proprietor of the only ladies' detective agency in Botswana, are now available in a beautifully designed boxed set.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent reading!.......2006-08-28

This is one of the best books I have read in a long time - I couldn't put it down. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

The NO. 1 Ladies Detective Agenc Box Set.......2006-03-10

I love the box set . It is a great gift for any young adult or adult. I have finished " The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" and really enjoyed it. I would recommend these books to anyone.

as fresh as a palm tree in spring.......2006-01-08

This is a great collection of books, light, fresh and funny enough, and the writing is cheerful and simple. 5 stars is not enough, plus, it feeds the love for one's country and values.

The world's most non-stop pleasant novel series.......2005-10-23

Need to calm down, cheer up, chill out or get happy? You can't go wrong with any of the books in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. They are reliably interesting, likable and uplifting. These are the stories of Precious Ramotswe, a substantial lady of extreme common sense and compassion who makes other people's problems are her own. I highly recommend these books; can't imagine anybody who wouldn't like them!

An Outstanding Series!.......2005-08-30

Anyone wanting to read a fascinating book about life in Africa with "homespun" wisdom that is extremely relaxing and enjoyable to read will love this series about Precious Ramotswe and her life in Botswana. She is a delightful character, experiencing life's sorrows, troubles, and joys while maintaining a deep reverence and gratitude for life. After reading this set, I could hardly wait to read the next three - "The Kalahari Typing School for Men," "The Full Cupboard of Life," and "In The Company of Cheerful Ladies." I now can only hope that Alexander McCall Smith will write more books in this delightful series!

Average customer rating:

The Giraffe That Walked to Paris
Nancy Milton
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Zoology | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Wee Gillis (New York Review Children's Collection)
Another Celebrated Dancing Bear
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Three Names
Cranberry Thanksgiving

ASIN: 0517581329
Release Date: 1992-04-28

Average customer rating:

Giraffe
Uneven
Am I the only one?
Interesting Style, Amazing Story
a brilliant and compelling exploration in human character, and inhuman circumstance...

Giraffe: A Novel
J. M. Ledgard
Manufacturer: Penguin Press HC, The
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Medici Giraffe
A Tale of Two Sisters
Winterwood: A Novel
Oasis: A Novel
Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

ASIN: B000NA1XWG

Book Description

An astounding novel based on the true story of the life and mysterious death of the largest herd of giraffes ever held in captivity, in a Czechoslovakian town sleepwalking through communism in the early 1970s

In 1975, on the eve of May Day, secret police dressed in chemical warfare suits sealed off a zoo in a small Czechoslovakian town and ordered the destruction of the largest captive herd of giraffes in the world. This apparently senseless massacre lies at the heart of J. M. Ledgard's haunting first novel, which recounts the story of the giraffes from their capture in Africa to their deaths far away behind the Iron Curtain. At once vivid and unearthly, Giraffe is an unforgettable story about strangeness, about creatures that are alien and silent, about captivity, and finally about Czechoslovakia, a middling totalitarian state and its population of sleepwalkers.

It is also a story that might never have been told. Ledgard, a foreign correspondent for the Economist since 1995, unearthed the long-buried truth behind the deaths of these giraffes while researching his book, spending years following leads throughout the Czech Republic. In prose reminiscent of Italo Calvino and W. G. Sebald, he imbues the story with both a gripping sense of specificity and a profound resonance, limning the ways the giraffes enter the lives of the people around them, the secrecy and fear that permeate 1970s Czechoslovakia, and the quiet ways in which ordinary people become complicit in the crimes committed in their midst.

Customer Reviews:

Giraffe.......2007-09-29

Giraffe's are tall and graceful. They are, as the author of Giraffe, J M Ledgard, tells us, capable of running faster than a horse and can kick with the strength of four. They are also, it would seem, grand vehicles of symbolic writing and metaphor designed to highlight the ills of Communism, the laziness and arrogance and secrecy of a country revolving around the concept of 'The People', when really The Party comes first. Ledgard, in his first novel, has chosen an effective and exotic symbol for the subject of his work, but it all falls to pieces due to poor writing, heavy-handed metaphor and bland, pointless characters.

In 1975, in Czechoslovakia, the Dvur Kralove Zoo was ordered to close its gate and prepare for a massacre of all animals infected with an Africa disease that could , if the disease spread, cause illness and death amongst millions of sheep and cows. The responsibility for the disease was placed in the hands - hoofs - of thirty-two giraffes imported from Africa in 1972, which one character describes as the 'greatest migration of giraffes the world has ever seen.' Be that as it may, by 1975 the herd had increased to forty-nine, and all were to be killed, immediately.

Ledgard informs us that this novel is based on a true story, but that the details are either the loose truth, or fabricated where what actually occurred has disappeared in record and memory. This is fine, however, because the story serves mostly as a metaphor for the similarly diseased Communist state of Czechoslovakia. The writing is heavily symbolic, overly so, with the massacre of giraffes culminating in many references and comparisons to the death of Christ. Giraffes, while nice to look at and rather large, may not exactly sit well with people as Jesus-surrogates in a novel.

The story is told from a first-person point of view, mostly restricted to Emil, the 'Giraffe man' instructed to observe and take care of the animals from Africa to Czechoslovakia and when they arrive at the zoo, and Amina, a young sleep-walking girl who is fascinated by the grace and beauty of her city's newest arrivals. Also, we are introduced to the man who will eventually be forced to kill the animals, and a scientist who is experimenting on the giraffe's blood. And, finally, we have the point of view of Snhurka, a white-bellied giraffe - Snhurka meaning 'snow white' in Czech. Each of the different perspectives seems very similar, which is somewhat bearable when humans are involved, but bizarre and wrong-seeming when a giraffe is included. Why must all of the characters have exactly the same personality? Which is, to be clear, no personality at all. Characters wander through streets and comment on the dreaminess of it all, and then they sit down and discuss things in very great detail with one another, massive stretches of information, not conversation. Further to that, the characters are very 'I' focused, in that most sentences start with 'I', which limits the strength of narrative cohesion. There is a feeling that the novel will never escape its own small boundaries. An example: 'I go to stand before the sink and sponge under my arms and between my legs. The dress I pull on clings to my skin. I put a kettle on the stove and light a flame under it. I stand still, listening to the music. I look up once more...' I, I, I, I, I. The construction of sentences, paragraphs and chapters suffer from this unvarying opening. Ledgard barely allows himself to breathe amongst the strict rules associated with such repetitious 'I'.

The last third of the novel is devoted almost exclusively to the massacre of the giraffes - an ending that is never made secret throughout the work. For all its dream-like vagueness, the story does have a sinister, lurking aspect in that we know a great deal of death is soon to come. And when it does, it is surprisingly effective. The killing is told from the point of view of all characters, excluding Snhurka. Scenes of death and snippets of conversation are repeated, over and over again. The metaphor underlying this death is one of violence and destruction heralding the birth of something new, something better - and as world history tells us, Communism was to die a few decades later. This metaphor is heavy-handed and distracting, but the power of repetition in the writing redeems the death of the giraffes. It is a confusing book which has a very weak first two thirds, and a comparatively much stronger final third.

Where, then, does the novel stand? This is Ledgard's first novel, which allows him a great deal of slack. The text is easily digestible, which means the final section will quickly approach. But is it right to ask the reader to wade through two hundred pages of dreamy, ill-focused symbolism to arrive at admittedly quality writing and powerful imagery? This reviewer remains undecided. There is a lot that went wrong with the novel Giraffe, but the climax is not one of them. Perhaps in the future Ledgard will write a work that remains consistently high in quality and effectiveness throughout the entire piece. Sadly, Giraffe is not that piece.

Uneven.......2007-08-07

Ledgard's writing style is ambitious, but his execution is very uneven. If the following is meaningful to you, then your opinion may be higher than mine: "One child chases the others, desperately, as though the space between them were a wasteland". Incidentally, this sentence is an observation which has nothing to do with the flow of the novel. Ledgard overworks short sentences and repetition. At the same time, his sustained metaphor of people sleepwalking through life in a deadening totalitarian regime, and his personification of this in the character of Amina, is powerful, although even this is a bit repetitive.

The novel is based on a true incident, and this causes a problem. For literary purpose it would be nice if the slaughter of the giraffes was another capricious act of the government, but it may well have been justified. Still, the whole giraffe story is remarkable, and Ledgard succeeds in making the reader appreciate the majesty, beauty, and sentience of these creatures, so that this novel has some of the resonance of "The Life of Pi". In summary, "Giraffe" has lots to recommend it, but too often it is dull.

Am I the only one?.......2007-04-17

I hated Giraffe. Everything about it was plodding and depressing. Even though I knew how the book would end, I found it nearly impossible to read the grueling accounts of the giraffes' execution. When I read in a preview that one of the narrators is a giraffe, I was intrigued enough to read the novel. However, the "giraffe's voice" was as boring as those of the humans'. One reviewer quoted on the back of the paperback edition says that this book will probably change your life [for the better]. To the contrary, I regret the waste of days of my life mired in the reading of Giraffe.

Interesting Style, Amazing Story.......2007-02-26

It took a few chapters to get used to Ledgard's unique lyrical style and I admit that I never really felt confortable with the personification of the giraffe but overall, the story was unique and amazing. The intertwining and overlapping story lines helped paint a clear picture of the events surrounding the lead up to the execution of the giraffe. The final chapter also brilliantly brings the story full circle.

a brilliant and compelling exploration in human character, and inhuman circumstance..........2006-12-14

if you're looking for a page-turning, plot-driven narrative this is not your novel... but if you're ready to embark on a journey of exploration in human character, filtered through the lens of recent cultural and political history, this is a beautiful and amazing work that you must read... Giraffe allows the reader to experience the "communist moment" through first-person narrative in an engaging array of fascinating human and even inhuman characters... their voices ring true in the same resonant manner as the physical and historic minutiae surrounding the soviet-era Czechoslovakia throughout this tremendous work which transports the reader to another time and place, and as the best literature can, to another being and perspective altogether... a brilliant novel, based on compelling, haunting, and tragic actual events, these characters will stay with you, and your world-view will expand.

Average customer rating:

Amazing Dahl
The Marvelous Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company catches a robber!
VERY CUTE BOOK
Full of imagination - a wonderful tale!
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
Roald Dahl , and Blake Quentin
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Enormous Crocodile
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ASIN: 0141302283

Book Description

When Billy joins the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, he gets a lot more than a new job. First he makes three new friends, then it's time to get to work cleaning all 677 windows of the Duke of Hampshire's house. The Duke is not only the most wealthy man in the country, he's also the most generous. Can he make Billy's lifelong dream come true? "A captivating story and a wonderful read-aloud."-- The Horn Book

Customer Reviews:

Amazing Dahl.......2007-01-09

All of Mr. Dahl's books are great! Wished we could meet him in person. Write more Mr. Dahl.

The Marvelous Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company catches a robber!.......2006-11-30

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is both funny and serious at the same time. The Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company consists of a giraffe as the ladder, a pellican as the water bucket, a monkey doing the washing, and a kid named Billy as their manager. While they cleaning the Duke of Hampshire, they help catch a robber. This is Roald Dahl's 3rd best book!

VERY CUTE BOOK.......2006-03-15

This is a great book. My students and my children loved this book. Highly recommend it!

Full of imagination - a wonderful tale!.......2006-01-24

This is a beautifully written book to read to your young child. It is so full of imagination that you are taken into Dahl's magical world believing that a giraffe, a pelican, and a monkey could do your next window cleaning. We read "James and the Giant Peach" last year, and like that book this one is great read aloud. The action of the book keeps your child on the tips of their toes. It is such fun!

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me.......2005-12-06

If you read the book, Giraffe and the Pelly and Me, you would be amazed. If you love Roald Dahl's sense of humor, then you'll love this book! This book will hold your attention with all the funny events while making you laugh.

The story is about three animals that live in a house and clean for money. Pelly is a pelican that has a pretend beak, the giraffe has a long neck that can go higher than the clouds, and the monkey is a cleaner. A kid named Billy is the boss of the cleaners. When they are cleaning, the giraffe is the ladder, Pelly is the bucket, and the monkey uses his climbing ability to clean. What a team they make! In the book there is a rich man who wants his 677 windows cleaned which haven't been cleaned in 4,000 years! When they were cleaning the windows, they caught a burglar called the Cobra, who was the most dangerous burglar.

The funniest part was when Pelly caught the burglar in his beak because there was a lot of action. I also like the part when Billy was in Pelly's beak and started to pick cherries from a cherry tree, and then the gardener fell down from a ladder and Pelly flew down next to Duke. If you want to hear more funny events you will have to read this book. I recommend this book to young children.

Philly Joe Giraffe's Jungle Jazz: Baby Loves Jazz

Average customer rating:

A hit!
Fun, colorful, musical books

Philly Joe Giraffe's Jungle Jazz: Baby Loves Jazz
Andy Blackman Hurwitz
Manufacturer: Price Stern Sloan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Board book

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ASIN: 0843121939
Release Date: 2007-04-19

Book Description

Philly Joe Giraffe marches through the jungle with his drum, telling the animals about a big concert at the lake. The animals follow him and are treated to the coolest jungle jam ever! The CD that comes with this book will be animal-themed, and will include selections such as “The Monkey Hop” and “The Elephant Stomp.”

Customer Reviews:

A hit!.......2007-09-23

This series is wonderful! Our two-year-old absolutely loves the Baby Loves Jazz series. We bought a few to start out, then ended up buying the whole set. Two months after acquiring them, she is still enamored and requests to listen to them and read them every day. Her favorites? Well, these are the words we hear most often: "Mommy, read Duck and Miles?" or "Daddy, listen to Duck and Miles?" Philly Joe is also high on the list. I recommend them all. The books stand out on their own, but the music is what makes this series really shine. For example, on Duck Ellington's CD, he does a great Monk style on one track, then switches to great impression of Coltrane's classic quartet on the next track, with a very nice McCoy Tyner impression. Lots of variety and high quality make this series worthwhile (though I could have done without Louis Lion's potty tune). Don't forget the Go Baby Go CD as well (a stand-alone CD without a book), which is perhaps a notch above the music on the book CDs. The ABC tune is her favorite on that one.

Fun, colorful, musical books.......2007-06-03

My daughter loves this series of books and there aren't any other books out there to heighten her jazz appreciation. The books are very colorful, fun to read and include a fun CD. My daughter and I love these books and highly recommend them. This one in particular offers a look into many different animals that aren't represented in other books. Fun, little story to boot.

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