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Christine “Crissy” Maier

Table of Contents

Born to Stand Out
Sample Interview Questions
Fiction: The Too Tall Giraffe
Fact: The Too Tall Giraffe
Praise For The Too Tall Giraffe
About the Author
About The Illustrator
Information for Interviewers
Interview Request Form
References

Born to Stand Out

The Too Tall Giraffe Book Cover

At the age of 6 ½, Crissy could only spell the word, “go” and read the words, “cat,” and “see.” She struggled with a learning disability, but over time she learned to read and write. By her senior year in high school, she had grown to enjoy both enough to register for an elective reading and writing class. Mrs. Reilly pushed the class, including assigning them to write and illustrate a children’s book.

The Too Tall Giraffe is 25+ years in the making and not only celebrates the differences that Crissy has embraced over the years but is proof that our differences can become our superpowers.

This story is for the six-year-old Crissy’s of the world. Whether too tall, too short, having a reading disability, or a facial difference, each of us has the ability to overcome and the power to make a difference in the world in our own unique way.

Sample Interview Questions

“Sound like a pro, even if you haven’t read the book yet.”

  1. In 60 seconds, what is The Too Tall Giraffe about?
  2. Tell us about the main character, Savannah. Does she share any similarities with you? If so, what?
  3. You’ve written a novel previously, why did you switch to writing a children’s book?
  4. You originally wrote this story in high school, what changes did you make when publishing this new version?
  5. Why do you think the story resonates with you so strongly that years later you felt the need to rewrite it?
  6. How can children and adults find their own superpowers?
  7. You’ve also published The Too Tall Giraffe in German, why did you choose to do that? Are any other languages planned?
  8. If you could tell kids one thing, right now, what would it be?
  9. If you could tell parents one thing to help their children build their self esteem, what would it be?
  10. Where do you see The Too Tall Giraffe going? (Series, training, speaking etc.).
Christine Maier is an author, coach, and speaker helping individuals and organizations turn obstacles into opportunities to understand their beauty, purpose, and power.
Crissy with Book

FICTION: The Too Tall Giraffe

The Too Tall Giraffe Book Cover
Die zu große Giraffe Book Cover

Savannah looked forward to her first day at a new school. She tried to make friends, but the giraffes in her class thought she was too tall.

With no one to play with, Savannah focused on her schoolwork. Would this prepare her for the day her classmates were in danger? The day when Savannah would have to decide if she would help the giraffes that had been mean to her.

In The Too Tall Giraffe, join Savannah as she learns about:

Starting at a new school

Looking different 

Dealing with bullies

Finding her superpower

The Too Tall Giraffe is a vibrant picture book perfect for:

Ages 4-8

Parents to encourage children that their differences bring value

Library and classroom story time discussions about helping others, fitting in, and dealing with bullies

We are all different in our looks, interests, and skills.

What makes you different?

What is your superpower?

FACT: The Too Tall Giraffe

6,000 to 8,000 children are born in the United States each year with a cleft lip and/or palate.

1 in 54 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder.

8% of 3–17-year-olds have a learning disability.

But you don’t need to fall under one of these classifications to be the target of bullying. Just be too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, practice the “wrong” religion, or have the “wrong” skin color and you can be a target.

Bullying can impact physical and mental health, class attendance, grades, and social skills. In a small number of instances, targets of bullying have even engaged in violent retaliation.

Children who engage in bullying behavior are also negatively impacted by the behavior. They are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, be convicted of a crime, and engage in abuse of their partners.

By accepting others’ differences, we reduce bullying and allow children and adults to understand their value and their superpowers in the world. They go on to become powerful adults who know who they are and what they want out of life.

We learn acceptance by the people and things we interact with. I received my first stuffed animal that looked like me in my 40s. I didn’t know I needed it, until I had it. Children need to know that others share similar struggles and are able to overcome. Stories allow us to teach children lessons in creative and fun ways. Adults reinforce those messages through their behavior.

FACT: The Too Tall Giraffe
FACT: The Too Tall Giraffe

Praise For The Too Tall Giraffe

A tall giraffe uses her size to help others in this picture book.

Savannah is teased and ostracized due to her towering stature. The other giraffes at school even accuse her of cheating, claiming she uses her “long neck” to scope out the answers. Savannah feigns illness to avoid class but doesn’t fool the doctor, who insists she “had the strongest snort he’d ever heard.” After Savannah’s teacher catches her up on a lesson about lions (the “animal…most dangerous to giraffes”), the student spots “something lurking in the grass.” At lunch, Savannah is the only giraffe tall enough to reach the tree branches. Although still hurt by her classmates’ meanness, she generously drops “some leaves” for them. But when she spots a lion, her quick thinking saves the day. Savannah snorts loudly to warn the others, which enables them to escape safely. Despite her courageous act, Savannah doubts her classmates will show up at her birthday party. But when everyone attends the celebration, the giraffe is ecstatic. The students thank Savannah for her kindness and bravery. Savannah’s plight will be relatable to anyone who has ever struggled to fit in. Maier deftly shows how insecurities can ultimately become personal strengths that readers can utilize to help others. Brueckner’s hand-drawn illustrations depict realistic giraffe habitats and deliver detailed portrayals of the creatures. Featuring browns, greens, and soft blue skies, the appealing scenes include a few anthropomorphic touches, such as giraffes toting backpacks.

An uplifting, enjoyable animal tale featuring a sympathetic hero.

Kirkus Reviews

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

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

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)

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

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

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

It was great!

–Savannah, Age 8

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

The giraffe is so adorable.

–Clara, 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

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

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

“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

About the Author

About the Author
About the Author

Christine Maier is an author, coach, and speaker who empowers individuals and organizations to turn obstacles into opportunities to understand their beauty, purpose, and power. Crissy was born with a Cleft Lip and Palate and has had over 25 surgeries. In elementary school, she was classified as learning disabled. Despite that, Crissy is author of the awarding winning novel, Blue Sky Morning, and a children’s book, The Too Tall Giraffe.

Crissy earned her bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree from the University at Albany. During her career in the NYPD, Crissy was a policy analyst, instructor in the police academy, and a 9/11 rescue worker. She retired in the rank of Sergeant.

While assigned to New York City Emergency Management, Crissy became the first female Director of Watch Command. Her team of 35 coordinated emergency incidents in New York City and issued emergency alerts to the public 24 hours 7 days a week.

As an international speaker and author, Crissy wrote The Too Tall Giraffe to help children and adults understand that not only is different cool, it’s also the foundation for our superpowers. She is a member of the Cleft Community Advisory Council (CCAC) for Smile Train and a member of the Children’s Craniofacial Association Speakers’ Bureau.

About the Illustrator

Aviva Brueckner is a writer and artist heavily influenced by her front-row seat to a peaceful revolution. Born to an Israeli mother and a German father in East-Berlin, she joined the street protests rattling her country at age 13 and toppled the Wall.

Avi has degrees in law, physical therapy, and graphic design. She has lived in three countries on three continents and has traveled many more, usually on a shoestring budget. Proud Aspie.

Aviva Brueckner is a writer and artist heavily influenced by her front-row seat to peaceful revolution. Born to an Israeli mother and a German father in East-Berlin, she joined the street protests rattling her country at age 13 and toppled the Wall.

Info for Interviewers

We commit to making you shine and your audience our focus

We’re deeply honored by your interest for an interview. We’ve done many of them. When we’re doing our interview it’s the most important thing in the world to us. We’re committed to making you the hero and your audience the focus. We’re here to serve you, not the other way around. We know that if we do our job well your audience will feel valued and interested in these topics:

  • You are Unique: What makes you different is your superpower
  • Turning Your Story Inside Out: Creating powerful mind shifts to create possibility and purpose
  • And much more.

We’ve created this online media room to make your job easier. If you need anything else, please E-mail Crissy at: Christine@TheChristineMaier.com

When we are interviewed by the media, we often point our audience back to our interview. This coverage includes my Facebook fan page, LinkedIn connections, Twitter followers, Instagram followers, and my E-mail list.

Christine has spoken at Book Con, the National Homeland Security Conference, and been featured on ABC-NY Eyewitness News, CNN, Fox Radio, Newsday, and in USA Today.

The Too Tall Giraffe Book Cover
The Too Tall Giraffe Book Cover

Interview Request Form

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References: