Author: Shel Silverstein
Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: fictional poetry picture book
Publication Info: Harper Collins (1964)
Reading Level: Ages 4-8; early
Topic/Theme: silly stories and situations
Issues Addressed: humorous, and unrealistic events happening to an animal
Classroom Uses: independent reading, read aloud; I would probably incorporate this into the curriculum during a poetry unit or lesson
Summary: A giraffe gets stretched by one half, making him a giraffe and a half. Throughout the book, a little boy places many silly items on the giraffe, such as a fancy suit and a rose on his nose. He also gives the giraffe things to take with him such as a fat dragon in a wagon. By the end of the hilarious story, the giraffe resolves this problem and gives away all of the useless things he has obtained and becomes a normal giraffe again.
Text and image: The text demonstrates amazing use of rhyming poetry. The black and white line drawings add emphasis to the hilarity of the story. The illustrations go along well with the text because they depict what is actually happening to the giraffe.
Literary Devices: rhyming and rhythmic poetry