#1 - Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae


Summary: "Every year in Africa they hold the Jungle Dance, where every single animal turns up to dance and prance." Clumsy Gerald desperately wants to waltz like the warthogs or cha-cha like the chimps. But he has two left hooves and is certain that giraffes can't dance... or can they? This sensitive tale has a nice message in amongst the rhyming narrative. Kids will love this one- it's filled with bold colorful illustrations and plenty of humor to boot.


Suggested Activity: Freeze dance is a fun and high-energy game that is also quite simple to facilitate. The goal of this game is to 'freeze' or become still when the music stops. This teaches kids to modulate their energy and control their body in a fun way. I suggest introducing children to African music as they dance like the story's hero Gerald.


Curriculum Area: Gross Motor Skills (demonstrates basic locomotor skills, shows balance while moving)

Appropriate Age Group: 3 and up