Marcie and Giraffe

This warm and thoughtful picture book is a wonderful choice for a Key Stage One classroom. The story follows Marcie and Giraffe, two lively friends who love making art together. When Marcie compares her painting to Giraffe's, she begins to feel upset and frustrated.

Through colourful, scribbly artwork and gentle storytelling, children can see how big feelings such as jealousy, sadness, and self-doubt can be expressed in healthy and creative ways. The playful illustrations are full of personality and will capture the attention of young readers aged 3–7. The changing styles of Marcie's artwork cleverly reflect her emotions, helping children understand that feelings can sometimes be messy but are always important to share.

Marcie and Giraffe is an excellent resource for encouraging conversations about friendship, confidence, creativity and emotional wellbeing. Teachers could use it to inspire art activities, circle time discussions, or lessons about expressing emotions positively.

Overall, this is a charming and engaging story that reminds children there is no 'right' way to create art and that working through feelings together can make friendships even stronger.

Picture book / Reviewed by Louise Gahan, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Marcie and Giraffe love to paint and use their skills and colours to paint a picture of each other. Marcie loves her painting until she sees the painting that Giraffe creates of her and she becomes cross and jealous because "Your art is better than mine". She makes some "FIERCE and SCRIBBLY" pictures of her brain, stomach, legs and smoosh face. Gentle Giraffe watches and understands that Marcie is painting her feelings but shares with her that he loves her art work. Together, Marcie and Giraffe create some "FIERCE and SCRIBBLY" pictures including a "BUM SPLAT" and "SMOOSH FACE" and have vivid, colourful fun together!

Marcie and Giraffe is a lovely story about making mistakes, feelings and friendships, explored through the characters' artwork. Marcie loves to paint but paints in a different way from Giraffe. However patient, kind Giraffe encourages Marcie and takes time to understand her paintings and what they mean.

The colourful illustrations support the story and takes the reader into the world of painting and creating with colours. You will absolutely love Giraffe and her huge, caring SMILE!

This book could be used to encourage children to have a go in their art work and to be proud of what they create. It could also be used to explore jealousy and feelings as Marcie is jealous of Giraffe and becomes angry. Children could explore what Marcie should have done and said to Giraffe.

The book also explores feelings within Marcie's paintings and her worries about not being good at art and how her body is feeling. Children could paint their own body parts when they are worried, angry or jealous too and talk about the colours they have used and how they feel. Children could also explore the relationship between Marcie and Giraffe and how kind, caring and patient Giraffe is. This is a lovely book to use in art lessons and also PSHE, exploring feelings and how we should treat others too.

Picture book / Reviewed by Maria, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+