A Giraffe and a Half
Common Sense says
- Shel Silverstein
- Poetry
- 1975
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Did this review miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive, diverse representations in books, TV shows, and movies. Want to help us help them? Suggest a diversity update
Suggest an update A Giraffe and a Half
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that A Giraffe and a Half is Shel Silverstein's wonderfully zany, rhyming picture book about a boy and his giraffe. The writing is light and freewheeling, and the artwork so full of life that it might topple off the page at any moment. And it's been re-relased in a beautiful 50th anniversary hardcover edition.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the story?
Take a giraffe, stretch it by another half, and add a rat in a hat and a rose on his nose and a whole lot more, and you have the makings of a madcap Shel Silverstein cumulative tale. The verse is sweetly upbeat, and the line drawings -- as always with Shel Silverstein -- speak volumes more than their spare elegance would indicate.
Is it any good?
There is a brightness to Shel Silverstein's humor that makes one glad to be alive. His craziness is often just this side of impossible; who knows, you may find yourself in one of his situations someday, if you are so lucky. Everyone has to laugh and dream, which is why Silverstein has sold a gazillion books -- and bully for him.
Silverstein enjoys coming full circle in his stories, and the same holds true here. Up, up, up the tale climbs, threatening a drop into chaos with each new step, and then slowly readers exhale as, one by one, the elements surrender to whatever odd fate lies in wait for them. The line drawings, too, are operatic in their gestures and give each character real distinction.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the author uses lively prose and vivid drawings to tell a story with silly overtones. Do you notice a pattern in the way the author uses words that rhyme? Can you think of other words that rhyme with "giraffe" and "half"? Or "rat" and "hat"? Or "suit" and "cute"?
How does this collection compare with other Shel Silverstein poetry books? Which one is your favorite?
Try writing a poem yourself -- silly or serious, rhyming or not. Illustrate it with crayons, markers, or paint.
Book details
- Author: Shel Silverstein
- Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
- Genre: Poetry
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
- Publication date: May 1, 1975
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our editors recommend
For kids who love poetry and art
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.