A cute little story for read aloud time. The children enjoyed the story and it taught important principles. Fun pictures to go with.

A book where you struggle to see why it took three people to create. Giraffe and Jackal have a falling-out when Aardvark becomes the latest newcomer to school, and Giraffe seems to forsake the friendship with Jackal in favour of the newbie. Really scratchy and unappealing art brings the story to the page, and while it's fine it's a touch too simplistic to really be entertaining enough to get the message into the enjoyably-received category. Which is a shame, as its look at how easy it is to be short on acceptance of others would be worthwhile seeing for some. Two and a half stars.

This children’s book covers topics of friendships, and how to handle another friend entering the group. Feelings that can rise such as jealousy and resentment, but how to be inclusive and kind

This is a book all about the friendship between Giraffe and Jackal and how to handle a new friend and the jealousy that can cause.

had so much fun reading this book, the story is so adorable and the illustrations were so well done and charming, there’s so many little details in every page that I couldn’t stop but be mesmerized by it all. I will definitely be recommending it! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this early copy

This book follows the ups and downs of 2 friends Giraffe and Jackal as a new one joins the class, the Aardvark. Jackal is unhappy and tries to get Aardvark in trouble but ultimately helps get him out of it. Big emotions are normalized and expressed simply in a way that the nonviolent communication tactics feel easy to understand and implement. I really enjoyed the whimsical illustrations and felt that the book felt interesting even with a predictable storyline and not preachy.
I received this eARC from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions my own.

"Giraffe and Jackal Are Friends (Again!)" is a picture book inspired by Rosenberg's non-violent communication teachings.

An easy-to-follow tale of friendship and conflict. Jackal and Giraffe are best friends at school who love to do everything together. One day at school a new student, Aardvark arrives. Jackal becomes jealous when Giraffe befriends Aardvark and they begin to play together. Eventually, through communication, Jackal and Giraffe listen to each other and find a solution so both are happy.

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I rated this book 3.5 start rounded to four stars because I thought the story lacked some development. I enjoyed the delivery of the message but thought the author substituted animals in place of human interactions-- it felt very 'copy and paste' human interaction with Jackal, Giraffe and Aardvark interaction. But I highly enjoyed the illustrations and practice of non-violent communication, and I think this would be a great book to purposefully read to students in a classroom or kids at home to promote empathy through communication.


Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC and thank you to Sounds True publishing.

Giraffe and Jackal are the best of friends, until Aardvark comes along. Giraffe is eager to invite Aardvark into the friendship, but Jackal is not so sure. Jackal wants his friend Giraffe all to himself. While Giraffe includes Aardvark in activities, Jackal pulls away, and even sets Aardvark up in a (not-too-scary) dangerous situation. Giraffe and Jackal eventually communicate with each other and come to an agreement that makes everyone happy. They call all play together, but sometimes Giraffe and Jackal will play alone, like before their new friend joined the group.

I absolutely loved this book and will be nominating it for the Red Clover Book Award program in the state of Vermont. The illustrations are sweet, and a little silly, and very clearly convey the emotions of the individual characters. I like that they were able to talk through their changing friendship dynamic and that the story wasn't presented as one character was right while the other was wrong, instead it shows both of their honest, relatable emotions, and how they worked through them.

The story would be an excellent mentor text for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities, but would also just be an enjoyable and highly relatable read-aloud for elementary school children.

There is a good message in this book. I wish there was a bit more depth about being inclusive to the story arc. Would have liked to see how the friendship between the three characters grew after the conflict.

Creative and unique to friendships. Provides resources and historical facts to communicating in healthy ways.

We all get jealous. This is something we learn at even a young age. I liked that it showed it and did not turn it into a shame thing

Thanks to Sounds True Plublishing for this ebook!

This was such a fun and artistic rendering of an all-too-common playground scenario: a new friend arrives and an old friend feels insecure (among other feelings). The author and illustrator bring these issues to life and validate the characters big feelings in a way that is sure to make children feel the same way about theirs. This is sure to be a favorite at our house!

"Giraffe and Jackal Are Friends (Again!)" by Mary MacKenzie and Lisa Robinson is a great book for kids. It's about Giraffe and Jackal, who are very different but still best friends. The story shows how they handle conflicts and feelings by talking kindly to each other, which is an important lesson. Even when a new friend, Aardvark, joins, and jealousy stirs up, they learn how to work through it and be friends again. The book is easy to understand with cool pictures, making it a fantastic way to help kids learn how to handle their emotions and get along with others.

It's a good book!! The messages is well delivered although the illustrations aren't my fave. Good job~

And thank you Netgalley, publisher, and author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review

This is a really lovely tale of two friends, Giraffe and Jackal, and what happens when a new student joins them at the Savannah School.

Giraffe is happy to reach out and look after Aardvark, who needs help settling in. But Jackal feels left out and resentful.

How the two friends use non violent communication methods (NVC) makes for an important story, and will help young children to understand that there are positive ways of addressing negative emotions and disputes, and of reaching a better understanding.

The story is accompanied by quirky illustrations which greatly enhance its already significant charms. Highly recommended.