Giraffe's Book Is Missing a Story

In this follow-up toGiraffe Is Too Tall for This Book (2023), five characters go in search of a story. Giraffe, Flamingo, Mouse, Cheetah, Elephant, and Snake gaze at the blank pages of a book. "What should we do?" Giraffe asks. Snake suggests writing a story. It's a daunting prospect--the blank page holds terror even for animals--but all agree to collaborate. The pals brainstorm words ("KINDNESS!" "PEANUTS!") before telling a story, sentence by sentence. Their tale follows a courageous Mouse, who sails off in search of a mountain made from cheese, and though Cheetah points out that Mouse doesn't know how to sail, Snake wisely replies, "Anything can happen in a story." The left side of each spread depicts the friends as they discuss and critique various plot points, while the right side shows the developing story, which often requires audience participation. Readers are asked to shake the book to make an underground volcano erupt and to tilt it to help Elephant swim faster, and it's the audience's actions that bring their story to a climax. Or does it? Set against stark white pages, the endearing, big-eyed animals all have a stuffed-animal sweetness, while color-coded speech bubbles and inspired page layouts make following the narrative easy. Ryland offers would-be writers enough structure to get started while also giving them space to flex their creative muscles--and permission to get goofy. Both an uproarious read-aloud and an entertaining primer for aspiring authors.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.