The Giraffe Who Was Afraid of Heights

Physical & Behavioral Adaptation

by David A. Ufer, Kirsten Carlson (Illustrator)

Modeled after The Wizard of Oz, this enchanting story describes a young giraffe who suffers from a fear of heights. On his way to the doctor, he befriends a monkey who is afraid of climbing and a hippo who is a afraid of water. What causes the three new friends to face and overcome their fears?

The "For Creative Minds" section includes fun facts and animal adaptation information, as well as a "Match the Feet" game and a mix-and-match activity. Encourages children to overcome their fears and to help friends in trouble.

Genres: Animals, Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Carolina Echeverría · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un cuento hermoso, sencillo y lleno de ternura. Es un libro infantil que, aunque se lee en un suspiro, dejan un mensaje precioso sobre el miedo, la confianza y encontrar tu propio lugar en el mundo.

📚 Lo leí como parte del Reto de Goodreads 2025 (2025 Reading Challenge). Retomé mi ritmo de lectura ya finalizando noviembre, así que estos libros cortitos están salvando mi meta.

[Karissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this tale of animals who overcome their fears by helping each other. This is a great way to remind children that we are all different and can help each other! There are also extension activities in the back of the book and facts on the four animals (giraffe, monkey, hippo, crocodile).

[Melinda Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book for 1st-3rd grade. It can be used to teach about animal adaptations.

[Дмитрий · Rating 4 out of 5]

What boat never sinks? The FriendSHIP.

[Carrie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an awesome book to teach young children how it is okay to have imperfections. The story follows a giraffe who is afraid of heights on his journey to go see a doctor. Along the way, he meets friends that also have imperfections. Together they end up helping each other overcome their fears by helping each other through a tough situation. I love using this book to teach either sequencing or as a social/emotional morning meeting book. It teaches kids that it is okay to not be perfect and to ask for help. It teaches kids that it okay to lean on friends for help and that with the help of our friends we can learn from each other.

[Cbeatrizojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gran historia que refleja que todos somos buenos para algo y hay que aprender a valorarnos. Es corta, pero muy significativa.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a read-along with my daughter for our reading time. We enjoyed this book!

[Katherinne Medina (unafandeghibli) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonita fábula para niños sobre solidaridad, amistad y valentía.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3-year-old has watched this 10 times or so. He loves it. The rest of the kids enjoy it as well. It's a cute story about animals who are afraid to do what they went built to do, like the giraffe who's afraid of heights and the hippo who's afraid of water. They overcome their fears by working to help and protect each other.

The illustrations are very nice. The text is cute. I'd check it out if you can find it.

[Terry]

This story will remind you of Aesop's fables: great stories with a moral at the end. The illustrations are great and the information and activities at the back add to the fun.

To read our full review just go to the Reading Tub.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

bibliotherapy at its best. overcome fear with animals of the african savannah!

[Marcie]

Used at Arapahoe Ridge 2010-11

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should always be brave!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute kids book.