Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

New York Public Library, Top 10 2017

The international bestselling and award-winning illustrated chapter book for ages 6–8.


Giraffe, who lives in Africa, is bored as usual. He’d love a friend to share things with. So he writes a letter and sends it as far as possible across the other side of the horizon. There he finds a pen pal—Penguin. But it’s hard to imagine someone you’ve never seen…

Giraffe knows nothing about penguins and his letters are full of questions. What does a penguin look like? Where is a penguin’s neck?

And so the letters begin to fly from horizon to horizon.

Emerging readers will love this absurd and funny story about what connects us, and finding friendship in unlikely places.

With simple line drawings—including handwritten letters—on every page, this witty and accessible story is a perfect book to start independent readers on a lifetime love of reading.

Originally published in Japan where it is a much-loved classic, Yours Sincerely, Giraffe is now a popular success all around the world.

“This is a rare book: joyful, ingenuous, playfully earnest” —Kirkus

Megumi Iwasa studied graphic design and lives in Tokyo.

Jun Takabatake is one of Japan’s best-loved children’s illustrators. His illustrations have been exhibited throughout the world, and he has won many international awards.

Awards
• New York Public Library, Top 10, 2017
• Chicago Public Library, Best Fiction for Younger Readers, 2017
• German Youth Literature Prize Winner, 2018
USBBY Outstanding International Book List, 2018
• 11 Best Books for 4 to 7-year-olds, The Independent, 2016

Praise for Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

“With beautifully simple illustrations and a hope-filled ending, it is an ideal introduction to Japanese literature.” —The Independent

“The combination of short narrative, dialogue, letters, and humorous pen-and-ink drawings is a winning one.” —Booklist starred review

“A lovely story such as this, presented so well, is the kind of book to set a pre-teen youngster on a lifelong romance with books and literature.” —Magpies Magazine

“This Japanese import will charm beginning readers who enjoy a bit of witty humor with their animal adventures. The pen-and-ink illustrations are simple yet have a Quentin Blake feel that rounds out the characters and their quirky behaviors.” —School Library Journal starred review

Format Your Price Add
978-1-927271-88-9
$12.74
978-1-77657-117-8
$21.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Copyright 2017
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Gecko Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 104
Publication Date 2017-03-01
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV002320, JUV019000, JUV039060
Dewey [Fic]
Graphics 1-color illustrations
Dimensions 5.7 x 8
Lexile 510
Features Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Megumi Iwasa

Megumi Iwasa studied graphic design at Tama Art University in Tokyo, where she also worked. She is the author of a number of popular children’s books, and she lives in Tokyo, Japan.

Illustrator: Jun Takabatake

Jun Takabatake is one of Japan’s best-loved children’s illustrators. His illustrations have been exhibited throughout the world, and he has won many international awards, including the Graphics Prize (Bologna Children’s Book Fair), a Japan Picture Book Award and the Kodansha Award for Picture Books.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

New York Public Library, Top 10 2017 The international bestselling and award-winning illustrated chapter book for ages 6–8. Giraffe, who lives in Africa, is bored as usual. He’d love a friend to share things with. So he writes a letter and sends View available downloads →

Awards

  • Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year, Winner, 2018
  • USBBY Outstanding International Books List, Winner, 2018
  • New York Public Library Best Books for Kids, Winner, 2017
  • Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2017
  • Kirkus Best Children's Books, Winner, 2017

Reviews

School Library Journal

“This Japanese import will charm beginning readers who enjoy a bit of witty humor with their animal adventures. . . . A highly amusing early chapter book for readers who may also be learning the art of letter writing.”—starred, School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

“This is a rare book: joyful, ingenuous, playfully earnest, but without a whiff of studied cuteness.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews

Booklist

“Its gentle friendship story will leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy, making this early chapter book a great addition to any collection.”—starred, Booklist