Geraldine

by Elizabeth Lilly

No, no, NO! Geraldine is NOT moving. Not to this new town where she’s the only giraffe. Not to this new school where she has no friends. Not to this new place, where everyone only knows her as That Giraffe Girl. But soon Geraldine meets Cassie, a girl who is just as much of an outcast as she is, and as time goes by, she realizes that being yourself and making one really good, unusual friend can help someone who literally stands out fit right in.Together, Geraldine and Cassie play by their own rules.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, School, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2018

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine - Elizabeth Lilly  More picture book tropes I am over: men in neckties for no discernable reason except gender-marking, and gendered insults like "drama queen". Geraldine loses a point for putting most of the girls in dresses, but I love Geraldine being the only giraffe in her new school, an excellent metaphor for all kinds of visible difference.
 
 
Library Copy

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Geraldine moves with her family to a new town, and must attend a new school, the young giraffe feels out of place and awkward. As the only one of her kind, she feels that she is "That Giraffe Girl," rather than just herself, just Geraldine. But then she makes a new friend named Cassie, who also feels out of place, and together the two girls give each other confidence. Eventually they even feel equal to socializing with the other children, and although they still have awkward moments, they discover that they can interact with others as themselves, rather than as types...

A sweet story that addresses, not just the theme of moving to a new town, but also the idea of being the only one of your kind (whatever that kind is), Geraldine is author/illustrator Elizabeth Lilly's debut picture-book. It pairs an engaging story with appealing, expressive artwork. I particularly liked the way that Lilly used her giraffe heroine's long neck as a means of depicting her emotional state, with the level of droopiness corresponding to the level of despondency and confidence. Recommended to anyone looking for new giraffe picture-books (a request I often get at work), as well as to those searching for children's stories about moving house, starting a new school, and/or feeling out of place.

[Casey, with a book · Rating 5 out of 5]

My staff pick! Great for people starting a new school or moving to a new town. The illustrations are utterly endearing, I just want to melt into a puddle! I love how Geraldine comes to find her Loud Voice and realize she is NOT That Giraffe Girl but instead The One and Only Geraldine!!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Geraldine lived with other giraffes, she did not stand out and she was not special but when her family moves, things change. Watching and reading about Geraldine’s spunk and disgust about moving, is comical. Moving amongst people, Geraldine the giraffe, is now noticed as she is now the only giraffe. Geraldine does not like to be different and she tries to hide and she wants to be left alone. One day, she meets Cassie who also feels alone and special. I liked Cassie’s attitude, as she is feisty and angry and she just wants Geraldine to leave her alone.

Over time, the two of them create a bond over games, lunch and time spent together. The illustrations show the two of them doing a variety of activities together. When Geraldine decides to introduce Cassie to some girls sitting at a lunch table, I liked how the two friends prepare and encourage each other before the introductions. I feel, that part of how they are accepted to their peers has to do with how these two friends are presented. The end of the novel is cute and put a smile on your face.

Cassie’s attitude was perfect for this novel and I liked Geraldine’s shy and withdrawn mannerism. Geraldine didn’t shy away from Cassie when she spoke back to her but she continued on, which is interesting. I liked the water colored illustrations and enjoyed that the illustrator sometimes included lots of smaller illustrations on one page rather than one large one. Nice children’s book.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving to a new city and a new school can be scary, but for drama queen Geraldine, it is the worst thing that has ever happened to her. Despite her remonstrations, the move still takes place, and she sets off for school. Back home in Giraffe City, Geraldine felt that she fit in just fine, but not so much in this school that is filled with humans and not another giraffe in sight. As sometimes happens in those sorts of situations, she becomes quieter and tries to hide, a challenging feat for one so tall. But a chance encounter with a girl named Cassie who is different in her own way leads to a deep friendship, and the two friends decide that they will reach out to their classmates instead of hiding. I appreciated the message of nonconformity in this picture book since Cassie and Geraldine don't change themselves in order to fit in; instead, they celebrate their own uniqueness while inviting others to do the same. The positive message of reassurance to be oneself is supported by artwork that enlists pen-and-ink and watercolor techniques that are followed by digital editing and compilation. Teachers and caregivers may want to give this book to a little one struggling with self-esteem and acceptance issues as well as sharing it with the whole class as a firm reminder that we don't all come in the same shapes and sizes or with the same talents, abilities or interests, and that, my friend, is a very good thing. While this picture book covers familiar territory, I don't think we can ever have too many books that encourage individuality. It is worth noting that no one really picks on Geraldine and that her worries about how others will treat her stems from her own fears about acceptance.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Geraldine the giraffe is moving and is unhappy about it to begin the story. She hides and tries not to be seen in her new school. She does make a friend and together they discover they're more than their labels. They make more friends and find their places in the class.
I was bothered by using the flag as a handkerchief but it can be used as a teaching moment.
The illustrations fell flat for me - just not my preferred style when sharing children's books.

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine by Elizabeth Lilly is about a giraffe named Geraldine who is moving, and she is very scared. She doesn't want to move, but her parents tell her it will be great. When she gets to her new school, she is the only Giraffe. She feels different, and it is also hard for her to hide because of her height. She starts to feel shy, and thinks that she is not good enough. Then she meets a girl named Cassie who is also hiding. They start to hide together, and slowly, they become friends. They tell eachother the things they like about each other, and then one day, they sit in the cafeteria. Geraldine tells some girls what she likes about Cassie, and Cassie tells the girls what she likes about Geraldine. They all become friends, and slowly, Geraldine becomes more confident. She holds her head high and doesn't hide anymore. She still gets sad sometimes when people look at her weird, but she knows who she is. She is not Giraffe Girl, she is Geraldine.

I give this book 5/5 stars. I love the illustrations. They make the story unique and silly. I also love the message of the book. The story shows that you don't have to be afraid to stand out, because there are things about you that make you, you, and know one else has those qualities. Geraldine learns that even though she is different, she still has things to offer, and that is a great message for children to hear.

[Sirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving to a new school where she's the only Giraffe is hard for Geraldine. At first, she's worried that no one will like her and she will always be "that weird tall girl." But then she discovers that everyone is a little different, but you don't have to all be the same to be friends.

Why are all the giraffes named Gerald or Geraldine? I mean, I know why, but honestly. This story doesn't hold any big surprises, but it elegantly captures the feeling of being the only unusual person in a room, then shows that with a little accommodation and compromise, anyone can belong. The artwork is wild and colorful; it's a pretty good time.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geraldine feels lonely at school until she meets Cassie.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine's a magnificent giraffe. How could I not like it?

[Kerri Kokias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story on the theme of pushing oneself outside of their comfort zone and personal growth.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unnecessary capitalization on the first letters of words trying to indicate emphasis is just poor grammar. Caps the whole thing or do something else, like the italics used in a few other instances. Otherwise, it's a cute story about fitting in... or not fitting in... and that being unique doesn't mean you're alone. The caps thing is what got this 2 stars instead of 3 or 4.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

For giraffe fans, here's a sweet story about moving to a new place & making new friends. Amusing artwork made the kids smile.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about a young giraffe named Geraldine who is moving to a new city full with people who aren't like her. She starts at a new school and doesn't fit in, so she makes her self smaller to try and belong. Geraldine hides and becomes shy, but one day she meets a girl named Cassie. Cassie also doesn't fit in with the rest of the school, but they become really close friends and hang out together all the time. One day at school, Geraldine and Cassie go to the cafeteria for lunch instead of having lunch under the tree. Geraldine introduces Cassie in the cafeteria and gives a fun fact about her, and Cassie does the same for Geraldine. Everyone finds the pretty cool, and they start to hang out and create more friends. Geraldine acknowledges that she's not like the rest of the girls, but she accepts that she's different and embraces it.

The overall theme for this story is acceptance, friendship, and bravery. Geraldine struggles with who she is, and how different she is at her new school. However, she learns to embrace that difference at the end of the story because she learns how important it is to be yourself. Geraldine's friendship with Cassie is important to her because it helps bring out her personality and together they're stronger. Geraldine shows bravery by adapting to the school and new city, and with Cassie they are brave together when they approach the cafeteria.

I really enjoyed this story because as a military kid, I moved around a lot too and I can relate to Geraldine. It's hard moving to a new school, especially in the middle of the school year. As a new kid, it's hard to adapt to new school and having to make new friends.

I recommend this book because I think a lot of young readers and children can relate to moving around and adapting to change. Reading about how Geraldine handled her situation and how she accepted her difference can really inspire children.

[Amber Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine was a lovely story of change, fear, friendship and finding your voice. Geraldine is a giraffe that was comfortable and happy living in Giraffe City when her parents tell her they are going to move. Moving is never easy, but it is especially difficult when you move to a place where you don't feel that you fit in. Geraldine spends a lot of time hiding, but suddenly finds someone else who is hiding and scared too. A friendship develops while they help one another value who they are and find their voice.
Moving to a new place and trying to fit in are scary things to endure, but they can be made that much easier with the help of a new friend. Geraldine took me a bit to get into, but then I quickly fell in love. This would be a great read-a-loud at the beginning of the year or when new faces arrive in your classroom.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine: a giraffe, has moved from her giraffe school to a new town and school where she is the only giraffe, hence known as the giraffe girl. While over all the plot is predictable in showing how Geraldine finds common ground and moves beyond giraffe girl status, there are some nuances, including, importantly a scene where her new friend mangles a social interaction in a way that embarrasses Geraldine. The liability of valued, yet awkward friends is a seminal reality in all kids’ lives and one too little modeled.
The loose, sketchy, colorful illustrations were hard for me to decipher the first few pages- too much information and too many squiggly lines, but a few pages in all settled down and I was able to bond with Geraldine

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: A giraffe named Geraldine and her family are moving and she is NOT happy about it. At her new school, she tries to make herself invisible but that proves to be difficult because she is quite tall and also the only non-human student. Unexpectedly, she meets a girl who feels just as out-of-place as she does and they quickly become friends. With her new friend in tow, Geraldine musters up the courage to make herself and her new friend known to their peers, and the result is a happy ending full of laughter and connection.

I liked: the theme; how dramatic Geraldine is; the appeal to shy kids (and consequently kids who look different, see: disability).

Would have liked to see: a little more exposition regarding "Giraffe City" (where Geraldine moved away from).

[Robin Loughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine is a very cute book about a giraffe who has to move to a new city and start a new school. She is very nervous about it and aware that she is the only giraffe in the school. At first she is shy and won't interact much with others. But then she meets another girl who feels different because she wears glasses, loves math, and organizes her food. They become friends, and get up the courage to go to the lunch table with all the other kids and introduce each other. They find that the kids at the lunch table are nice, and soon they all have a lot more friends and don't even think about being different anymore.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture Book. Geraldine the Giraffe is moving with her family. She is leaving Giraffe City for an unknown location where she will be the only giraffe in school. She hides, speaks in a quiet voice, and separates herself from the other students. One day she meets a girl named Cassie, who is also hiding from the others. They become friends and lean on each other for the strength to make other friends.

The message of this story is a good one- about finding others who appreciate you, having self-confidence, and not being afraid to try new things. But I thought the text was really wordy and the illustrations did not appeal to me.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book symbollically discusses moving to a new town where you're very different from everyone else (race, nationality, religons, etc0, it may be too buried for most kids to suss out. Geraldine is just charming and really makes this tale of learning to come out of your shell and dealing with being known as the Giraffe Girl (or Hispanic girl, or tall girl, or smart girl), and teaching people who you really are inside. Yes its a little moralizing, but I think it's handled well. A good read for kids struggling with a move or fitting in. Recommended ages 5-8.

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming take on a familiar dilemma, Geraldine's a "kid" who stands out as dramatically different and just wants to fit in and be liked. The fresh, loose illustration style are whimsical and help make what could be a heavy subject light, accessible and fun. It is visually packed with humorous details (giants boxes of scarves to get packed, trying to trace your body on paper when you're a giraffe). Geraldine's dramatically expressive and her honest feelings are splayed out on each spread. A great read!

[Kat Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

GERALDINE is the debut picture book from author-illustrator Elizabeth Lilly. There's a lot to like in this story, which at first glance is the perfect antidote for kids facing the I-don't-want-to-move blues. But there's also a really kinetic and heartwarming subplot about the power of being yourself + finding your tribe. It's OK to be "weird", it's OK to be different - in fact, the world is a better and more interesting place for it. I'd love to see more from the dynamic duo of Cassie and Geraldine!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fair story for children who are entering new schools, moving, or who are shy to make friends. There are very redeeming features in the story, such as finding and celebrating a friend's strengths as well as an individual's. There are themes of inclusiveness and embracing uniqueness. The lack of adult intervention is not surprising, and the resilience that is required is nice. That said, the book was still a bit of a struggle to get through, and I did not care for it that much despite wanting to like it.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Geraldine is a giraffe living in a giraffe family in a giraffe city. When she moves away, she feels awkward and lonely. And, she's the only giraffe in school! Will the children tease her? She hides at lunchtime behind a tree. A girl who is good at math also wants to hide in the same place. Soon, Geraldine befriends the girl and they have fun playing hide and seek. Their friendship makes both of them feel braver and they go out and make new friends. Soon, they are all accepted into their school's group of kids, even if Geraldine is the only giraffe!

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine, the tall yet timid giraffe, is anxious about going to a new school. She thinks she’ll stand out awkwardly when she only wants to fit in. But when she meets a classmate who feels the same about her own differences, a dynamic duo is formed. This book has delightfully bright illustrations and a sweet message about friendship and self-acceptance.

Check this book out at the Villa Park Public Library!

[Jessie Oliveros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about moving, fitting in, and making friends. The drawings and dialogue are captivating. They drew my daughter in right away as I read it to her. (We laughed a lot at the flexibility of Geraldine's neck.) While Geraldine is a giraffe (or That Giraffe Girl as she puts it), certainly any child will be able to relate to the feelings Geraldine experiences leaving a city she loves and starting fresh in a new place.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly entertaining take on the angst of having to move to a new home and a new school. The story comes alive once the Geraldine is plopped in the middle of her new environment. Though the main character is a giraffe, every child who has moved and experienced being the new kid, or the odd kid, will totally identify with this character. This fun book is an inviting way to explore the challenges of moving and a great read for any classroom at the beginning of the school year.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute story that tells about Geraldine the Giraffe who has to start at a new school and she's the only giraffe there. She feels lonely and left out and ends up staying pretty much to herself. Then one day when she goes to one of her hiding places, there's a girl there who also feels left out and lonely because she wears glasses and organizes her food. It becomes an eye opening experience for both of them.

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine... a sweet coming of age story about Geraldine, a young giraffe forced to move to a new town, different school, and reluctantly has to find where she fits in. She compares her past life with her present life, and discusses the differences. Geraldine soon meets friends and finds that everyone is unique and others appreciate our special talents. Only complaint is Geraldine's spots changed color throughout illustrations. Architectural background is evident in author's images.

[Marj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geraldine is right-- moving is The Worst.
This is the story of a young giraffe leaving one place and trying to figure out how to feel like herself in a new school. By the end she comes to realize that "most of the time I know that I am more than That Giraffe Girl, I am the one and only Geraldine-- and I am Really Great."
The story is elevated thanks to charming illustrations --many featuring a sad, mopey giraffe with her neck flopping dramatically.