Zeraffa Giraffa - Hardcover

Dianne Hofmeyr

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184780344X ISBN 13: 9781847803443

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 2014

Synopsis

This is the astonishing true story of Zeraffa, a giraffe who was sent as a gift by the Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt to King Charles X of France in 1826.
A young boy, Atir, takes care of Zeraffa on her epic journey, by felucca down the Nile, and by ship across the sea. Zeraffa grows so tall that a hole is cut in the deck for her neck to go through, and the sailors sing songs as she gazes down at them. In France, Atir leads her through the countryside, and thousands of people marvel at Zeraffa in her yellow taffeta cloak.
The whole of Paris falls in love with Zeraffa. The King builds her a special house in the Jardin des Plantes. On warm nights, the young princess, granddaughter of the king, visits and listens while Atir whispers stories to Zeraffa of a hot land far away, and on the breeze they all feel the kiss of Africa.

About this title

Review:

‘This is a magical book about a true story...Ray’s illustrations ...full of luminous colour and decorative patterns.. Hofmeyr’s test, took has a romantic lyricism... Both the images and the text make us feel the wonder and love that Zeraffa inspired.’

(Sunday Times Culture - Nicolette Jones’s Children’s Book of the Week)

"The stunning illustrations by Jane Ray are full of the most amazing and atmospheric detail and capture the feel of each stage of the journey. A wonderful book."

(Parents in Touch)

"An amazing story by an award-winning author"

(Independent School Parent)

"This is a truly beautiful tale"

(Your Cotswold Family)

'Each spread is a delight, a chapter in itself, with so much to read, observe and wonder at. A very special book indeed.'

(Books for Keeps)

‘This is a magical book about a true story...Ray’s illustrations ...full of luminous colour and decorative patterns.. Hofmeyr’s test, took has a romantic lyricism... Both the images and the text make us feel the wonder and love that Zereffa inspired.’

(Sunday Times Culture - Nicolette Jones’s Children’s Book of the Week)

'The inherently exotic figure of the giraffe is richly celebrated in this incredible true story ... Jane Ray's beautiful illustrations bring this curious and unlikely story alive, capturing the magnificence of Zereffa in alien surroundings.’

(Guardian)

‘Sumptuously illustrated... A fascinating book.’

(Bookseller)

‘exquisitely composed pictures’ 

(CLPE)

‘Jane Ray’s illustrations are, as always, magical... The curves and grace of the paintings; the details, colours and characters in the scenes all build to create a sense of beauty and care and wonder... The lush language...is the kind of language that we should be whispering into the ears of our young children and encouraging our older children to form with their own mouths. It is beautiful and evocative and mysterious. It is the kind of language that can take you on an adventure... I love the way the whole book mirrors the character of Zeraffa – graceful and wise, playful and mischievous, but always with an air of magic and wonder.’

(Rhino Reads)

About the Author:

DIANNE HOFMEYR grew up on the tip of Southern Africa. An art teacher, she has written teenage novels and picture books, and has won the M-Net Award for fiction, as well as two IBBY Honour Books. Her other titles for Frances Lincoln are The Faraway Island, The Star Bearer and The Magic Bojabi Tree.
JANE RAY began her career as a designer but discovered a love for children's book illustration, especially fairy tales, mythology and folktales. Jane's first picture book for Frances Lincoln was Jinnie Ghost with Berlie Doherty, shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award. Her other acclaimed picture books include bestselling The Twelve Days of Christmas, The King of Capri with Jeanette Winterson, Romeo and Juliet with Michael Rosen, The Dolls' House Fairy and Snow White, which she both wrote and illustrated, Greek Myths and Ahmed and the Feather Girl for Frances Lincoln. She lives with her family in North London.

About this edition

• Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 184780344X
• ISBN 13: 9781847803443
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Jane Ray