In this funny and heart-warming picture book, meet a shy little giraffe named Kipekee. She’s a bit different from the other giraffes – she was born with no spots.
Inspired by a real-life spotless giraffe from a popular news story, born in 2023 at Brights Zoo in Tennessee, USA, Kipekee is one of the rarest giraffes on the planet.
But being one of a kind isn’t easy. And as Kipekee looks around her on her first day at school, she feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere.
With the help of her new friends, she tries some of the animal classes, scrambling clumsily up the rocks with llamas and stretching her twiggy legs to high jump with the gazelles. But none of them feel quite right. She even tries to disguise herself, hoping that the others will accept her.
Eventually, Kipekee realises that, although she doesn’t look like the others, she fits right in, and that her differences should be celebrated. And she’s delighted to find that she’s accepted – spots or no spots.
Perfect for preparing kids for their first day at school, this is a kind and delicate introduction to relationships and the value of difference, at a time when little ones are first forming important relationships with their peers. A touching story about inclusivity and looking beyond what people look like, it teaches kids that we are all wonderfully unique in our own ways.
Kids will love this hilarious fairy tale adventure packed with clever twists, familiar characters and page-turning fun.
The second book in a fabulous new magical, middle-grade series filled with adventure, wonder and wildness,
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Peter Millett was born in New Zealand. He was first published aged nine when one of his humorous poems appeared in the national press. He has since gone on to publish a great many children's books in New Zealand, including picture books and educational books. He has a passion for zany English humour and Spike Milligan is one of his all-time heroes. He lives
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