The Too Tall Giraffe | Christine Maier

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

Starting at a new school

Looking different

Dealing with bullies

Finding her superpower

Savannah didn’t know she was a tall giraffe until she started her new school. The giraffes in her new school didn’t want to play with The Too Tall Giraffe. What they didn’t know was The Too Tall Giraffe had a superpower.

Will Savannah fit in or was she born to stand out?

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

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

Born To Stand Out

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 power to make a difference in the world in our own unique way.

What makes you different?

The Too Tall Giraffe Team

Christine Maier is an author, coach, and speaker helping individuals and organizations turn obstacles into opportunities to understand their beauty, purpose, and power.

Christine spent years believing a cleft lip and palate, being the shortest kid in class, and a learning disability were holding her back. But the opposite was true. They taught her that what makes us different is really the foundation for understanding our superpowers.

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.

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.

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

Praise for The Too Tall Giraffe

Born To Stand Out

The Too Tall Giraffe Team

Where to find The Too Tall Giraffe