Zarafa: The Giraffe Who Walked to the King

"This lively collaboration by the creators of Make Your Mark, Franklin Roosevelt highlights a unique historical episode, following a 19th-century giraffe, a gift from the viceroy of Egypt to Charles X, as she journeys from Africa to France. Fanciful flourishes fill Spencer's watercolor, gouache and ink art: after being captured in the wild, Zarafa perches on a camel as it carries her to a Sudanese village; she patiently tolerates costumed monkeys climbing on her neck while sailing down the Nile to Alexandria; and she pops her head through a freshly cut hole in the deck of the ship that brings her across the Mediterranean to France. There, over time, the affable animal finishes the trip on foot, accompanied by a pair of handlers, Hassan and Atir (as well as scientist Geoffrey Saint-Hillaire), cheered by admiring crowds along the way ('Hundreds — no, thousands — of visitors came to see Zarafa in the King's Garden.... Zarafa had been more that a gift to the king. She had also been a gift to the people of France'). St. George's breezy, conversational text ('Was she worn out? Not Zarafa!') moves this voyage along briskly. Ages 6 — 8. (June)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

St. George and Spencer bring to life the touching and true story of a giraffewho walked all the way to Paris to meet the French king. Full color.

Judith St. George is the acclaimed author of over forty books for young readers, lending her insightful and human voice to some of history's most famous people - and animals, too! She lives with her husband in Connecticut.

Britt Spencer has been drawing since he was only nine years old. Now, a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Spencer has been published internationally and recognized by the renowned New York Society of Illustrators and the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles for his playful, vibrant illustrations.