Giraffe Problems is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
In "Giraffe Problems" by Jory John, Edward the giraffe is feeling self-conscious about his long neck and spots. He compares himself to other animals and wishes he could be more like them. Enter Cyrus the turtle, who has his own set of problems and helps Edward see things differently. Through their amusing and heartfelt conversation, Edward realizes that everyone has their own unique characteristics and that he should embrace his own differences. With Cyrus's encouragement, Edward learns to appreciate his long neck for its advantages and sees that being himself is what truly matters. The book delivers an important message of self-acceptance and celebrates individuality in a humorous and relatable way. The charming illustrations by Lane Smith add to the book's appeal and bring the characters to life.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Have students identify the point of view and discuss the benefits of the narrator.
- Help students to analyze what the author’s purpose for writing the book might be.
- Discuss the different characters in the story and analyze their thoughts and actions.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Teach students a new suffix and give examples from the book.
- Complete a mini lesson on synonyms.
- Discuss strengths and challenges related to the story and student’s own lives.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andrade
- Hair Love by Matthew Cherry
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
- Beautifully Me by Nabela Noor
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
