Yours Sincerely, Giraffe - by Megumi Iwasa (Hardcover)

About the Book

In this book about friendship and the distinctions of living in different parts of the world, a giraffe that lives in Africa meets a pelican who's a mailman. Since the giraffe is bored, she sends a letter to the first animal the pelican can find on the other side of the horizon. The letter passes on to a seal who gives it to a penguin. He reads the letter and even though he doesn't understand it he writes back, and becomes the giraffe's pen pal.

Book Synopsis

New York Public Library, Top 10 2017

The international bestselling and award-winning illustrated chapter book for ages 6-8.

Giraffe, who lives in Africa, is bored as usual. He'd love a friend to share things with. So he writes a letter and sends it as far as possible across the other side of the horizon. There he finds a pen pal--Penguin. But it's hard to imagine someone you've never seen...

Giraffe knows nothing about penguins and his letters are full of questions. What does a penguin look like? Where is a penguin's neck?

And so the letters begin to fly from horizon to horizon.

Emerging readers will love this absurd and funny story about what connects us, and finding friendship in unlikely places.

With simple line drawings--including handwritten letters--on every page, this witty and accessible story is a perfect book to start independent readers on a lifetime love of reading.

Originally published in Japan where it is a much-loved classic, Yours Sincerely, Giraffe is now a popular success all around the world.

"This is a rare book: joyful, ingenuous, playfully earnest" --Kirkus

Megumi Iwasa studied graphic design and lives in Tokyo.

Jun Takabatake is one of Japan's best-loved children's illustrators. His illustrations have been exhibited throughout the world, and he has won many international awards.

Awards
- New York Public Library, Top 10, 2017
- Chicago Public Library, Best Fiction for Younger Readers, 2017
- German Youth Literature Prize Winner, 2018
- USBBY Outstanding International Book List, 2018
- 11 Best Books for 4 to 7-year-olds, The Independent, 2016

Praise for Yours Sincerely, Giraffe

"With beautifully simple illustrations and a hope-filled ending, it is an ideal introduction to Japanese literature." --The Independent

"The combination of short narrative, dialogue, letters, and humorous pen-and-ink drawings is a winning one." --Booklist starred review

"A lovely story such as this, presented so well, is the kind of book to set a pre-teen youngster on a lifelong romance with books and literature." --Magpies Magazine

"This Japanese import will charm beginning readers who enjoy a bit of witty humor with their animal adventures. The pen-and-ink illustrations are simple yet have a Quentin Blake feel that rounds out the characters and their quirky behaviors." --School Library Journal starred review

Review Quotes

"Its gentle friendship story will leave readers feeling warm and fuzzy, making this early chapter book a great addition to any collection."--starred, Booklist

-- (2/1/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"This is a rare book: joyful, ingenuous, playfully earnest, but without a whiff of studied cuteness."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

-- (2/15/2017 12:00:00 AM)

"This Japanese import will charm beginning readers who enjoy a bit of witty humor with their animal adventures. . . . A highly amusing early chapter book for readers who may also be learning the art of letter writing."--starred, School Library Journal

-- (3/1/2017 12:00:00 AM)