Geraldine is a giraffe who feels like an outcast in a world where she is the only giraffe. Indeed, all of the other students at her new school are children. She’s understandably worried about going to school until she bonds on the first day with a girl who’s also an outcast, because she wears glasses, likes math, and organizes her food. Most of Geraldine’s emotions are communicated through her body language and, since she’s a giraffe, she has a particularly expressive neck. Although first-day-of-school jitters is a common theme in children’s books, this one stands out for its unusual characters, and its well-realized theme of learning to accept oneself and to be open to others. (Ages 4–7)

No, no, NO!

Geraldine is NOT moving.

Not to this new town where she’s the only giraffe. Not to this new school where she has no friends. Not to this new place, where everyone only knows her as That Giraffe Girl.

But soon Geraldine meets Cassie, a girl who is just as much of an outcast as she is, and as time goes by, she realizes that being yourself and making one really good, unusual friend can help someone who literally stands out fit right in.

Together, Geraldine and Cassie play by their own rules.