A Giraffe Grows Up

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

This "Wild Animals" series introduces readers to the lives of various baby animals from birth to maturity. Young zoologists will learn about physical characteristics, growth and development, and maternal training until the animal is old enough to live on its own. Giraffe calves are born on the African savanna; in this case, a newborn male is already six feet tall and can stand on his own feet. Big acrylic paintings in browns, yellows, and blues show the calf gaining strength as his mother protects him from predators like lions and hyenas. Several of the double-page spreads show the calf, after six months, learning to eat acacia leaves, running, and playing with other calves in the "creche." It will take ten years for the bachelor giraffe to mature, fight older males, and finally find a mate. Primary-level readers should have no trouble with the simple, straightforward text. Illustrations are somewhat simplified and overly bright, but there's enough detail to keep young readers moving along while checking the small rectangular sidebars for extra information. A "giraffe diagram" points out physical features of this tall African mammal; a small world map locates its habitat. Also included are a short glossary and a bibliography of three giraffe books. Don't rely on the Facthound code number for giraffe websites; a search reveals three—two very brief (though the National Geographic one has a scrolling "Fun Facts" feature), and a longer one not appropriate, except for giraffe photos, for younger explorers.