The Giraffe Who Was Afraid of Heights

Imagine if the one thing that keeps you safe is what you fear the most! This enchanting story tells of a giraffe who suffers from the fear of heights. His parents worry about his safety and send him to the village doctor for treatment. Along the way he befriends a monkey who is afraid of climbing trees and a hippo who is afraid of water. A life-threatening event causes the three friends to face and overcome each of their fears. The ?For Creative Minds? section includes fun facts and animal adaptation information, a match-the-feet game and a mix-and-match activity. There are also "Learning Links" and "Teaching Activities" listed on Sylvan Dell Publishing's website, www.SylvanDellPublishing.com/Giraffe.htm, to help teachers and media specialists use the book in their classrooms. Written by David A. Ufer, Illustrated by Kirsten Carlson. For Ages 4-8.

David A. Ufer is a new children's author, but has been honing and perfecting his craft for several years by taking writing courses. He says that this story has been floating around in his head for several years now and has spent lots of hours at the zoo watching some of these animals to get a feel for their behavior and personalities. David hopes that this book will help children overcome some of their own fears. He is looking forward to the day when he may be able to leave the corporate world behind and become a full-time author- perhaps writing and traveling across the country.Kirsten Carlson (illustrator) says that she has drawing as long as she can remember. After a very inspiring research expedition to Antarctica, she realized that communicating the beauty and wonder of the natural world to others was more important to her than the research. She decided to combine her love of science and art by becoming a scientific illustrator. Since completing a degree in scientific illustration, she has been combining science, art and design as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. She has also worked at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as a web designer, print graphic designer and exhibit graphic designer.