Giraffe On A Raft? GIRAFT!

 A week or so ago I had the rare privilege of joining nonfiction writer/guru, Kirsten W. Larson, at the Wisconsin SCBWI conference. The entire event was phenomenal, but those three hours with a small group of other writers were priceless. Among the many benefits to my own specific writing projects, her discussions clarified and strengthened my awareness of many fine points in decision-making when writing nonfiction picture books. Two outstanding examples of great choices and delivery share this post and another coming next week.

The first is mentor text as an information book structured with a storytelling (narrative) approach.  It is an account of actual (documented) events that provides essential, verifiable details but takes readers on an adventurous journey that feels as if it could be Disney fantasy.

SLEEPING BEAR PRESS, 2026

GIRAFT: A Real Life Giraffe Rescue is written by Laurel Neme and illustrated by Elisa Paganelli. It earned the valuable JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD designation, with good reason. As Larson pointed out, we now live in a world where anyone can carry the world in their pocket. Facts are at our fingertips, literally. A terrific nonfiction picture book needs to do more than relate facts. It needs to provide a compelling experience while fully honoring the facts.

Titles play an essential role in starting that connection with readers.

GIRAFT is a brilliant example that proves Larson's point. Who doesn't like (love) giraffes? And wordplay? And animal rescue stories? The mental image of a giraffe on a RAFT... are you kidding me?  If they gave awards for best title, this would win it. I only needed to HEAR the title (without having even a peek  at that gorgeous cover) and I knew I'd be reading and writing about GIRAFT.

I'm relieved  to report that that this book did not disappoint. My expectations were HUGE and this more than met, even exceeded my hopes.

The true story behind the "cover girl", Isawa, takes place in Kenya. Lake Baringo, to be specific. Climate change threatened the peninsular home of a small herd of endangered giraffes, flooding and shrinking their habitat. They needed to be relocated to the mainland, but a more pressing problem existed. Isawa had been separated from the herd on a steadily shrinking island, threatened by rising waters, surrounding animals (snakes, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles) and unable to rejoin the herd. 

Wildlife managers recognized the pending disaster and formulated plans and prototypes. Every effort was made to transport ISAWA first because she was the most immediately threatened. Their process and efforts are revealed in illustrations that include diagrams, maps, and more. 

It's a picture book, so I'll confirm your hope that this was successful. Yes, it was. They were also able to relocate Isawa's herd so they they are not only reunited but now roam in safer territory. I don't consider that a spoiler, since I'm withholding the innovative efforts, designs, risks, and processes that led to success. The true story begged to be told, and this version does not disappoint. Knowing in advance that it has a happy ending does nothing to diminish the excitement and drama of the account.

The illustrations deserve their own homage, as do the lyrical language and page layouts. I can hardly imagine a giraffe NOT looking adorable, but the color tones, scenes surrounding the stars, the secondary characters, and descriptions that capture sensations and struggles left me feeling I was an eye witness to real events. Perfectly applied literary devices (repetitions, onomatopoeia, alliteration, and just-right word choices) engage readers in heart-stopping emotional scenes, momentous interventions, and celebratory successes. 

The author is a wildlife photographer and the final double spread provides a more detailed description of the events, dates, etc., photographs of the scenes and structures, and further giraffe facts. DO NOT miss this one!

 

PLEEEEASE... Click HERE on this YouTube (under three minutes) account of various moments in the long-unfolding rescue operations. It makes the additional point that the many people involved represented two long-warring communities who came together  for this conservation cause and proved that peace could be sustained between their people.