In 2011, Hervé Tullet's Press Here broke new ground in meta picture books: it goaded young readers to press, tilt, and otherwise interact with its pages in order to (theoretically) bring about a desired outcome. Well, Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book--DK Ryland's smashingly good debut picture book--does this and introduces another variable: a darling animal cast that will fairly guarantee readers' emotional investment.
Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book begins with a problem. The six animal pals occupying a two-page landscape spread simply don't fit: Giraffe's head can't be seen because (the idea is) it's poking up and beyond the top edge of the page. The other animals offer fretful Giraffe reassurance--"You aren't too tall," says the flamingo; "This book is too small!"--as well as constructive suggestions: "Why don't you bring your neck down here?" asks the mouse. But this leads only to cramping in the overcrowded space.
That's where readers come in. The snake has a thought: "Reader, can you turn the book to the right so it'ssss tall?" Alas, the reader's compliance leads to a six-animal pileup. ("Do you think you could turn the book back around, reader?" the flamingo inquires.) Next comes more brainstorming, and even some literary criticism. Says the cheetah to Giraffe: "Do you really want to fit in this book? I mean, what is it even about?" The ideas keep flowing, the characters continue to appeal to readers, and the problem is ultimately solved... for Giraffe if not the elephant: "I think I might be too wide for this book."
Ryland juggles six trains of thought, not to mention six widely varying animal physiques, but the story is a cinch to follow because she sets her digital illustrations against a neutralizing white backdrop, and she distinguishes the animals' remarks with color-coordinated dialogue balloons: beige for beige-and-brown Giraffe, blue for the blue elephant, etc. Ryland even tinges her meta with the surreal, as when the snake makes a staircase out of its body and proposes that Giraffe attempt to do the same with its neck. (Giraffe succeeds, encouraging the friends to climb up, where "there's plenty of room"; only the elephant refuses, for fear of smooshing Giraffe.) Giraffe Is Too Tall for This Book is a primer in team problem-solving in which readers are entrusted with the ultimate honor: an invitation to help. --Nell Beram, freelance writer and YA author
Shelf Talker: In this smashingly good meta picture book, six animal pals need the reader's assistance in getting them to fit comfortably within a two-page spread.