I love when the giraffes showed up to Savannah’s birthday party. Even though it’s hard being different sometimes, you should always be yourself. This book shows it’s okay to be different.

–Sydney, Age 11

Parents and educators looking for a book to open a discussion with children about differences should look no further than The Too Tall Giraffe. This book encourages children to be courageous and be themselves, and to accept others as they are. Crissy Maier does a fantastic job at uniting the concept of tolerance and acceptance with vibrant images and an important lesson about our value in the world.

–Lisa Moser
Author, Communications Coach, and Speaker

The book taught me it is really good to be different. I think the special thing is all the giraffes showed up for her birthday party.

–Alexis, Age 9

Being seen as “different” is hard. By teaching kids that their difference is actually their superpower, The Too Tall Giraffe allows them to reframe that difference early, setting them up for less heartache and more success. This is the book the world needs to read right now.

–Scott Harvey
Professional Speaker, Communication Consultant, & Coach

Emerson told me before we read the book that he would probably not give it a 10/10 but he thought if he really liked it, he might be able to give it about a 9/10. Final verdict after reading, he jumped up in bed and yelled “I loved it! 10/10!!! He said his favorite part was the picture of the lion with all the teeth. As soon as the book mentioned lions, he perked right up.

–Emerson, Age 5 & Mom, Age 6+

Do you have a child who is different from other children? If so, you will want to rush out and buy The Too Tall Giraffe by Christine Maier. Children who talk differently, look different, or are different in any way can and usually do suffer from the taunts and mockery of other children. Parents need to comfort their child(ren) and teach them that being different is good. Parents of so-called “normal” children need to read this book to their child(ren) too and explain that it is wrong to make fun of those who are different. Properly taught children have learned how to accept the differently-abled, and books like this one help the differently-abled feel welcomed and teach the “normal” how to include all. Christine writes from the advantage of having felt the rejection of other children while she was growing up.

Christine Maier was born with a cleft lip and palate. She also had a learning disability, so she knows firsthand the pain that the rejection from other children causes. The Too Tall Giraffe came out of Christine’s desire to help children accept themselves just as they are. Christine’s book would be great to read with your differently-abled child and answer any questions about their differences, helping them not only appreciate their differences but also learning how to embrace them. The work can also help other students understand the needs of differently-abled children and focus on their similarities, not their differences. Christine has a special knack for broaching the sensitive subject of differences. The Too Tall Giraffe is a must-read for all children and their parents.

–Daniel D Staats (Readers’ Favorite)

The Too Tall Giraffe is a fun story! I liked the part about trying to reach the leaves, so they stuck their tongues out farther. That was funny. I think this is a very good book. I think it’s good to know that even if you look different, you can still do good and help people.

–Harrison, Age 10

A beautiful book about how we’re each different and each brings a unique value to the world. While the story is engaging, the lessons are timeless. Don’t forget to read about the author and illustrator at the end of the book. It will bring a whole new level of appreciation for the book and the depth built into it. Powerful!

–Rhonda Bolling
Author of Can a Cookie Change the World? & 2016 Author of the Year Award Winner

It was great!

–Savannah, Age 8

The Too Tall Giraffe encourages children to look past their differences and find value in each other. In our fast-paced, interconnected world, this message is more important than ever.

–Nanette O’Neal
Author of A Doorway Back to Forever fantasy series

The giraffe is so adorable.

–Clara, Age 8

“The Too Tall Giraffe” by the impressive team of author/storyteller Christine Maier and artist/illustrator Aviva Brueckner is about the life skills associated with: Starting at a new school; Looking different; Dealing with bullies; and Finding a child’s particular abilities. A charmingly entertaining picture book approach to encouraging children that being different from others has an important value in and of itself. “The Too Tall Giraffe” is about helping others, fitting in, and dealing with bullies — making it an ideal and highly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections for children ages 4-8 on the subject of multiculturalism, tolerance, and dealing with bullies.

—Children’s Bookwatch

Parents and educators looking for a book to open a discussion with children about differences should look no further than The Too Tall Giraffe.

–Cheri Dotterer
MS, OTR/L Dysgraphia Consultant

I liked it a lot because she included the giraffe holding the backpack in the mouth & I like that she included the lion. It looked really cool.

–Elia, Age 6