This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Doreen Chombu for Readers' Favorite
Donna the Snorkeling Giraffe by Joe Rampulla is a delightful story narrated by Lily, a giraffe living in a zoo filled with colorful animals. She shares the tale of her best friend Donna, who is cute and loved by everyone. Although every animal in the zoo is well cared for by the zookeepers, Donna dreams of visiting the ocean to see the amazing creatures that visitors often talk about. One day, Donna gets a chance to escape. She makes her way through the woods and finds herself at the beach. Some children spot Donna and help her by giving her swimming gear. With the goggles and flippers, she swims deeper into the ocean and follows the beautiful sounds she hears coming from the water. Unfortunately, Donna soon becomes tired and worries that she might not find her way back home. Just when she loses hope, she meets a wonderful friend who helps her return to her loved ones.
Donna the Snorkeling Giraffe teaches great lessons about embracing new experiences and the importance of friendship and family. Through Donna's journey, young readers learn that stepping outside one's comfort zone can lead to incredible adventures. However, having friends who guide and support us along the way is also crucial. The children at the beach, along with Donna’s new ocean friend, demonstrate the value of support in unfamiliar situations, while her friends and family at the zoo emphasize the importance of love and belonging. Joe Rampulla's charming narrative and Matt Ymbras's vibrant illustrations bring this story to life, captivating young readers and inspiring them to explore their aspirations while cherishing the bonds of friendship and family. I particularly loved the different colored bows on Lily's and Donna's heads, which help distinguish the characters from one another. The separation of the art from the text makes the book easy to read, allowing children with reading difficulties to follow along and practice their reading skills. Overall, this is a great read to add to your children's library because it is entertaining and imparts valuable lessons about curiosity, embracing adventure, and the significance of friendship.