PICTURE BOOKS
DiPucchio, Kelly

Mouse & Giraffe

(2) K-3 Neighbors Mouse and Giraffe interact every day but have trouble getting along because they cannot see eye to eye (literally and figuratively). Giraffe complains of the heat; Mouse's experience is different: "It's quite comfortable." The uncluttered illustrations make clear that Mouse benefits from the shade cast by Giraffe's tall body, but the two characters don't have that visual perspective. "'Hot!' said Giraffe. 'Not!' said Mouse." On a night with low cloud cover, Mouse can't see the sky, but long-necked Giraffe can rise above the clouds to admire the moon and stars. With a light touch, DiPucchio's entertaining tale addresses themes of perspective and the biases that can come with personal experience. In a satisfying ending, the two neighbors acknowledge their differences with friendly overtures. Corace's distinctive illustrations of a stylish giraffe (check out his madras Bermuda shorts) and a mouse with outsized ears provide the right genial tone.

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