Bender paints the animals against a bright savanna backdrop, emphasizing their emotional ups and downs with exaggerated facial expressions. The conversational text gracefully delivers a message about kindness and having a sense of humor. - Publishers WeeklyDon't Laugh at Giraffe is a warm, gentle tale with a good message and plenty of funny moments, making it a great choice for sharing. After all, the story reminds us, it's always better to laugh with a friend than at one. - Quill & QuireYoung readers will be able to internalize the lesson of empathy well, as it is so subtle; Bender does not preach at all, but merely shows her readers - largely with her beautiful illustrations - one option in this social situation. - Resource Links[Bender] knows when a picture, rather than words, should carry the story . A fun read, but one which still speaks to the meaning of friendship. Highly Recommended.

? CM MagazineAuthor and illustrator Rebecca Bender has fashioned a delightful children's picture book for kids ages 4 through 7. It is one thing for people to laugh with one another in unison and quite another thing to laugh at others. Seeing his friend humiliated and unhappy brings out Bird's caring and creativity. Don't Laugh at Giraffe covers both the good and the bad sides of laughter. - Spirituality & PracticeBold acrylics fill the pages . [Bender] creates personalities with expressive visages (hard to do on a small bird) and morphologies, with lessons to teach and learn. Recognizing that we're all a little bit Giraffe and a little Bird makes them even more endearing. - CanLit for LittleCanadiansThe artwork is so expressive and appealing to the book's young audience .

the author makes some sparkling decisions about word choice, encouraging an expressive and engaging shared reading. - Sal's Fiction Addiction.