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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.
