Picture Books::Giraffes, Angel Island, and The Tallest Man In The World

Chee-Lin: A Giraffe Story
Those who love "The Giraffe That Walked to Paris" will want to  read this story. It is longer (written for patient listeners) and perhaps a bit more emotional than "The Giraffe that Walked to Paris". My boys felt that the author did a good job conveying the anguish of the animal as it was captured, put down in the hull of a boat, and transported in cramped quarters to his new home in India and eventually China. While this is long for a picture book read, it is worth the investment of time.

Kai's Journey To Gold Mountain: An Angel Island Story
This piece of history took place in our own backyard (so to speak). This story of Kai's journey to America for a better education is largely based on the story of a friend of the author. For my boys, at ages 12, 10 and 8, it was hard to imagine the trials that this young man, child really, endured at so close to their age. For me, as a mom, it was hard to imagine sending my young son off on boat to America from China without me!

*For more books about California and California history, I put together an amazon list.

Robert Wadlow: The Unique Life of the Boy Who Became the World's Tallest Man
After reading about this book on the History for Children blog, I was anxious to share it with my boys. As it turns out, hubby, my boys, and my 17yo daughter were all present we I read this book aloud,  and were all moved by the account of this gentle giant. A few words of caution- this young man dies at rather young age. For sensitive children, I would preread and/or edit this book.


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Comments

  1. UnknownMarch 16, 2011 at 3:08 AM

    We have yet to read The Giraffe that Walked to Paris". I have been trying to find it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoannaMarch 16, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    Have to say I too want to pick up the Giraffe stories.

    ReplyDelete
  3. PattyMarch 16, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Lori, these are GREAT books!

    ReplyDelete

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