A Giraffe Goes to Paris

By Holmes, Mary Tavener & Harris, John & Cannell, Jon

Publishers Summary:
Imagine a giraffe that can sail from Alexandria, Egypt, to Marseille, France, in a boat with a special hole for her neck. Imagine a giraffe that can walk from Marseille to Paris in forty-one days, wearing stylish boots and a cape. Imagine a giraffe that captures the attention of a hundred thousand spectators in Paris as she parades through the city, inspiring paintings, poetry, porcelain designs, and even an exotic hairstyle. Imagine Belle, a gift from the pasha of Egypt to the king of France in 1827, a giraffe who made history. This book presents Belle's true story, told in the imagined words of her devoted Sudanese caretaker, Atir, who accompanied her on her journey to Paris and stayed with her till her death eighteen years later. Illustrated with artifacts and paintings from the nineteenth century and with Jon Cannell's jaunty artwork, Belle's remarkable story both captivates and informs. In this title, an author's note and pronunciation guide are included.

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ISBN
978-0-76145-595-0
Publisher


REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Reviewed on April 1, 2010

Gr 2-4 In 1827, when the pasha of Egypt sends a gift giraffe to the king of France, the tall, silent animal stirs up considerable excitement all across the country. Borrowing from French sources of the time for information and visual material, this fictionalized retelling follows the journey of Belle by sea and land from Africa to Paris. The trip is narrated by Atir, Belle's Egyptian caretaker, who stayed on in Paris for the exotic n...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Horn Book Guide

Reviewed on January 1, 2010

This fictionalized story is told from the perspective of real-life Sudanese attendant Atir, who accompanied el...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Junior Library Guild

Reviewed on June 1, 2010

The fact that the tale is based on a true story makes details of Belle’s pilgrimage especially captivating. Atir’s narrative is imagined, but the story, the captioned illustrations, and the...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

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