What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?

by Jochan Weeber, Fariba Gholizadeh (Illustrator)

Meet Gisbert, a tall, young giraffe. Gisbert is tall enough to do everything a giraffe might want to do, and his life is good. But one day, something happens. Gisbert’s friends start making fun of him, and with each negative comment they say, he begins to shrink! What in the world is wrong with Gisbert? This insightful book helps teach children about the consequences of bullying and the power of friendship. What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert? features various animal characters and bright, playful illustrations.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 7, 2018

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 (rounded up to 4) stars for What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?



This is a sweet little book that covers a couple of important topics: how unkind words can make a person feel, and that it's always a good idea to trust your parents and to let them know about things that have you upset. The illustrations by Fariba Gholizadeh are just darling and sure to appeal to most kids.



As a general picture book, I found the way the subject matter was handled to be a little heavy-handed; there was no subtlety at play here. But I think this would be an ideal story to share with children who are having trouble expressing their feelings, who are having difficulty handling being teased or dealing with negative remarks, or who are perhaps too liberal with the amount of teasing or negativity in their comments to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flyaway books for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully illustrated, silly, yet powerful picture book about friendship. Gisbert is a young giraffe that gets his feelings hurt when some of the animals make fun of him. He doesn’t tell anyone about it at first, he just feels as if he’s shrinking. Eventually his friends realize what they’ve done when Gisbert isn’t playing with them anymore.
This is a great book for preschoolers on friendship and learning that we are all different, and that’s ok!
I know my preschoolers will love this adorable giraffe!
Thank you to Flyaway Books and NetGalley for this 5 star picture book! My opinions are my own.
This will appear on my blog today, Wednesday December 19, 2018.
www.colecampfireblog.com
LanaLCole@yahoo.com

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Gisbett, with every mean word, he feels smaller and smaller. Using a giraffe to show how words belittle us is quite fitting. When he gets help, he feels better and grows inside and out. This is a great story to show children how our words can hurt, even when we don't mean them to. A great story for teachers to use with their students or parents to read to their children when there is a problem with negative words. I liked the illustrations, they were large and colourful, sure to capture a child's attention. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

See more on our blog at JennRenee Read



Do you like this book?
Yeah! Because I love giraffes! I got to feed a giraffe. But it makes me sad that they make fun of him and make him sad. It's not nice.

What's your favorite part of the book?
When he grew through the roof! And there was a rainbow.

What do you think of the cover?
I like the giraffe and the hippo and the monkey!



This is a really great book that teaches against bullying. It talks about how small and sad and even depressed it can make anyone, even kids.
The fact that it basically shows how he got depressed is really great I think. Everyone thinks kids can't get depressed, but they really can.

I think it's great that it also showed how much better he felt once he talked to his parents.

The artwork is adorable and the colors are great. And I really think it's a great story.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

#NetGalley #WhatInTheWorldIsWrongWithGisbert? Available July 31, 2018

Gisbert, a rather tall giraffe is happy and enjoying life: watching TV as he peers through a window in a high building, being a bridge for his friends to walk across, and napping as his head rests high in leafy treetops. He has a worry-free life.

Unfortunately, life sometimes throws us a curve, and Gisbert's life begins to change when his classmates whisper behind his back and tease him about several things including his spots and his height. Each time that happens he feels like he is shrinking a little bit.

His parents sense something isn't quite right with Gisbert, but he isn't ready to share. However, his school experience is making him feel so small and bad that he stays home from school.

When his classmates leave him a note saying they miss him, it's just enough to give him the courage to share what's been bothering him with his family. They listen then both give him some good counsel; they tell him that it's okay to let his friends know that their words make him sad.

With his parents' encouragement, he returns to school. But will his friends listen to how he's been feeling?

What Concerned Me: The writing felt like it didn't quite flow in places, perhaps that is due to the fact that it was first published in Germany.

What I Liked Most: This is a very good book to use one-on-one or in a classroom. It never hurts (old or young) for us to have it brought to our attention that our words can be very hurtful.

The illustrations are all cute, especially of Gisbert.

Full Review: https://debbieshakespearesmith.blogsp...

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gisbert the giraffe is very tall. He has great friends who love him, but one day they begin to tease him about his height and his spots. Gisbert finds himself shrinking, much to his dismay - shrinking so small, in fact, that he can no longer use his height to help his friends! Gisbert doesn't know what's going on: he just knows that he feels sad and small.

Finally, his friends begin to miss him and realize that their teasing may have gone too far. They apologize to Gisbert, which causes him to return to his full height (and maybe even get a little taller)!

Overall, a very nice story for kids about how friends can sometimes hurt their feelings, even when they don't mean to - and how it's possible to make up afterward.

I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Regina Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful little picture book that gives all it promises and more. Little Gisbert is a very tall giraffe who is very happy doing all the things any child would love to do. But when his friends and schoolmates start to tease him, the words hurt his feelings and something shocking happens. He shrinks! Little by little the words said about him cause Gisbert to change.

This book allows for wonderful discussions about bullying, teasing, and unkind words. It will help to build empathy as children will care for this precious giraffe. What I love about the book is it shows children that they can trust their parents to help them navigate these hurtful experiences.

This is a great book for any child and should added into classrooms and libraries!

The publisher provided an ARC through Netgalley. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I love any story about a giraffe and the fact that Gisbert’s lovey was stuffed giraffe made it even cuter.
I read it to my six year old grandson and while he thoroughly enjoyed the story, the concept of why Gisbert was getting smaller was a bit abstract to him. I felt I was able to explain it to him though. His favorite illustration was Gisbert watching television in the top story of the building and later in the story when he felt so small, he could only sadly look in the bottom level.

I feel this is a great addition to an elementary library to help children understand hurt feelings. I took away from the end of the story that the other animals at school didn’t really understand that their comments were hurtful to Gisbert until he stopped going to school. The loving parents were a sweet addition to the story as well.

[Elley Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet, and has such a great message. I'm currently trying to teach my almost-4-year-old that sometimes people will be nice to you and sometimes they will be mean, and you can't control how other people will act but you can always control how YOU act. (And it's never OK to hit or call names.) Poor Gisbert has some things said to him that he finds hurtful, and it makes him feel sad and small, like he's shrinking.

"I'm fine," he said, but inside he thought I don't know what's going on.

Gisbert just keeps feeling smaller and sadder and doesn't understand what's happening.

His mom tells him "Sometimes people say things that hurt you, even if they don't mean to... It's okay to tell them that their words made you sad." In the end, Gisbert talks to his friend, and they say they're sorry that what they said made Gisbert feel bad. Along with some great messages about talking about your feelings instead of bottling them up inside and letting them make you feel small and sad, What in the World is Wrong with Gisbert has really gorgeous illustrations, and language that is accessible to small children. A wonderful addition to any child's bookshelf.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers and the publishers for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

A good story of the effect of mean words on someone. My 3 year old likes it a lot. My 6 year old understood it and liked it somewhat.

I wish there wasn't a reference to a particular grade "kindergarten" but rather simply refer to "school". This way it would be more approachable by children older than kindergarten. The story is true and useful for older children, but by making the lead character a particular, and young, age it's not accepted as easily by older children.

Would also have been better with the shorter title of "What is Wrong with Gisbert". 'in the World' doesn't add much and detracts.

So, overall, my family likes it and it has started conversations on feelings and what happens when mean things are said. Rounding down from 3.5 stars because it's a little long for my 3 year old who likes it and turned off my 6 year old in some ways though his is the right age for it.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gisbert, a young giraffe, was starting kindergarten. He was tall enough to do whatever he wanted, and that included playing with his friends. On his way to school something changed, he heard hyenas whispering things about his spots. Gisbert felt himself shrinking. Each day Gisbert experienced unkind words about his trumpet playing, his long neck, his pole climbing skills and how he got stuck on the waterslide. Gisbert shrunk and shrunk and shrunk and eventually didn’t go back to school for a whole week. He hadn’t wanted to tell his parents what was wrong, but he needed to and so he did. They hugged him and tickled him, but he didn’t feel any better. One day there was a small present at his door. Do you think it was from his friends at school?

This heartfelt story with soft colorful illustrations teaches young readers how words can hurt. It also teaches that it’s okay to be different or unique. Parents and teachers can have discussions with children regarding how they are different from each other and also how to be kind.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This colourful picture book gives children an introduction to empathy, thinking about the effect their words can have on others to both help and hurt. It also introduces them to the idea that they can't always know their words have affect the feelings of others until later, and make them realise that their words should always be kind.
The pictures are imaginative. I particularly liked how when he was feeling at his smallest, he watched TV in the lower window, rather than the highest as he did when he was happy.

The book provides great opportunities to talk about emotions and empathy but also could be used to encourage children to join in with familiar, repeated phrases (used as Gisbert feels smaller). It could also be used with older children to talk about converting units of measurement from metric to imperial.

Many thanks to the publishers for an e-ARC of this book to review via NetGalley

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read for children to understand how words have an affect on others. Gisbert the giraffe begins to feel smaller and smaller with every negative word spoken to him. He doesn't understand why but he feels as though he is shrinking. The visual concept of feeling small on the inside while your appearance on the outside remains the same was a wonderful way to help children understand bullying. The author also delivers a message of how you can make others feel great about themselves by words and acts of kindness. Both very important messages in our current world. I would recommend this book for children between the ages of 3-10. Although it references Gisbert being in kindergarten, this would be a wonderful book for pre-school to elementary teachers to use in their classrooms.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyed this book. It is a pretty good book in helping students understand how their words can hurt others. It also, helps those students who have trouble voicing how something makes them feel. I liked how our character, Gisbert, felt bad because of his friends saying mean things/teasing him. However, the whole time he isn't sure what it is he is feeling and can't say how he feels. By the end of the book, his friends welcome him back and he realizes what is happening and things turn out right. The story tells us how sometimes people may hurt our feelings and we should tell them that what they are doing or saying is making us upset. Sometimes we don't realize it. I will be recommending this to some of my principals at my different schools. great use for teaching students how we should watch our words and actions because they can hurt even if we don't mean to.

I received an eARC from NetGalley.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gisbert loves being a giraffe, but a few stray words hit him, reminding him that he's different from his friends. Slowly, as the comments pile up, Gisbert feels himself shrinking, and he can't figure out what's wrong.

This book would have been a lot better without the constant refrain of "But Gisbert thought *I don't know what's going on.*" Since no one, including the reader, knows quite what's going on, this refrain is pointless. I was particularly bothered by the "but" because there's no contradiction between his parents asking him what's wrong and him not answering. But anyway, other than that, I enjoyed this book. It makes a good point about what it's like to be a sensitive person and how friends can understand and respect that. No one wants to be teased for who he is inside, and nobody has any business commenting on someone's appearance, different or otherwise. This book could be a useful teaching tool, and it's a heartwarming read for circle time or bedtime.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to net galley for the advance copy!
Gisbert the giraffe learns to deal with feeling small after school friends make hurtful comments. While it has a wonderful message in it about not allowing others to make you feel small and to advocate for yourself, telling people when they've done something to hurt your feelings, some of the language that was repeated didn't land well for me. It said Gisbert was shrinking, but then it made clear that he only felt like he was shrinking, but at the end they show his self esteem growing so much that he bursts through the school roof. Even with the room and flexibility in children's books, I felt a tightening of the language in a handful of places and being clear that sometimes people won't realize what they've done to hurt you and come forward on their own to apologize could be a worthwhile message as well. Still, a very cute story!

[DubaiReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strong moral.
I shared this book with my three year old granddaughter, who was probably just at the lower end of the age group that it is intended for. She enjoyed the beautiful illustrations and listened intently to the story, but she has yet to start nursery and fully understand the message behind this book.

Older children will understand about hurtful comments; some will have been on the receiving end, some will have thoughtlessly hurt others. I feel strongly that learning about the damage that such comments cause, at a young age, will guide many to be more considerate. Those on the receiving end are encouraged by the book to share the hurt with parents or teachers - a problem shared is a problem halved.

This would make a great book for classroom discussion and also for children to borrow and take home to share with parents. A valuable addition to any children's library.

[Sharon Coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gisbert is a giraffe whose life is good until he starts kindergarten. It starts on Monday when two hyenas make fun of his brown spots. A strange thing happens. Gisbert starts to shrink. On Tuesday through Friday, other animals say something that hurts Gisbert’s feelings too. Gilbert shrinks more each time. His parents know something is wrong but Gisbert insists he’s fine. On Saturday the same thing happens. Gisbert stays home from school an entire week. Read this delightful book to find out how this story does 180 degrees turn around and how Gilbert finds the happy ending he rightly deserves. Although this story starts out with our main character being treated unfairly, the ending will have your heart smiling.

[Mayra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent picture book to teach the younger children how to share their feelings and worries with parents. Gisbert is new to school where his classmates' comments make him feel smaller and smaller. He just internalizes his feelings instead of sharing them, to the point of making himself ill. An unexpected outcome ensues, keeping the book simple, but deep at the same time.

Other features such as repeating phrases, home vs school environments, and text simplicity, make this picture book a perfect read-aloud for the beginning of school or any other time.

Thanks to NetGalley and FlyAway Books for letting me preview What in the World Is Wrong with Gisbert?. I will quickly add it to my first book order for our library.

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jochan Weeber's giraffe Gisbert is experiencing just how rough life can be. His friends make comments that gradually wear away his self confidence and happiness. Unfortunately, he doesn't talk to anyone about what is going no and so the bullying continues.

This book could be just the resource a parent needs to share with a child that is in a similar situation. It should be used to start a dialogue to recognize the importance of kindness and sharing with a trusted adult. The story is best used as a resource rather that a read aloud as the information is delivered in a more deliberate rather than subtle way.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story perfect for all ages. Throughout the story kindergartner, Gisbert the giraffe shrinks as his classmates make fun of him and say hurtful things about him. No one else can see he’s shrinking, but he knows something is wrong. He can feel it inside. This is an excellent story especially for younger children on the power of our words and kindness. Thank you #Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion, this sounds more like a psychiatrist reading a book to a child than what a child would actually read and like. The points being made are too obvious. I'm a school librarian and read books to children in kindergarten and first grade. Most children can pick up on more subtle clues than what is given in this book.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gisbert the giraffe gets hurt by his friends at school and doesn't know how to deal with this. He feels himself shrinking every time something happens. Finally, he is able to talk with his parents. He figures out that he can get help and that he needs to tell his friends when he's hurt by their words or actions.
Describes friendship and ways to cope with being hurt.

[Hannah-lynette Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely way to explore hurtful words and who to turn to in a time of need. It’s imagery of how big and small you can feel is perfect. O couldn’t think of a better animal that the giraffe to express this.
Can’t wait to read it with my nephew.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful children book about the impact of our word on other people. It can really help the kids understand how bad simple word can make someone feel and how it can destroy his confidence. Simple, but well done with a very strong message in it. A good book!

[Amanda Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy Age: K-2nd
This book was super cute! Even though the characters are animals, they have real-world struggles. Gisbert the giraffe is continually hurt by the words that were mindlessly said by the other animals. This book introduces the concept that words can be hurtful, so we need to think about what we say to others. I believe this book would be a great addition to an elementary classroom because of the morals presented. I loved this book!

[Maya Geissinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade Level: 1st-3rd Genre: Modern Fantasy
This book is such a good book, using animals adds such a nice touch. This book would be a good book for students who feel left out. This book would be great to start a class discussion about inclusion and using nice words.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and it was a great book for small kids with big emotions. I was really excited to win this book and just as excited to share it with my daughter.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid choice for parents looking for a book to help a child deal with emotions.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. Loved it. Such a good story and nice message. Great illustrations.