Zarafa: The Giraffe Who Walked to the King

by Judith St. George

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Zarafa is a beautiful and gentle giraffe, so wonderful, in fact, that the ruler of Egypt offers her as a gift to the king of France. But how to get her there? Why, she sails up the Nile by felucca, crosses the sea by brigantine, and, yes, walks the last five hundred miles to Paris. People love it. And they love her, meeting and greeting her along the way, cheering her on. Afterward, the grateful French king places Zarafa in his own royal garden, where all of Paris comes to visit and love her. Judith St. George brings this amazing-but true-journey to life with help from the whimsical art of Britt Spencer.… (more)

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The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton (buddingnaturalist)

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Zarafa the Giraffe Who Walked to the King is a true story about a gift being brought from Egypt to France. Zarafa a young giraffe is taken from Alexandria, Egypt, all the way to Paris, France. This event took place in the 1820's, and shows children how exciting sharing culture can be. People stood in line waiting for hours to see Zarafa, things like this can be taken for granted in present day. Overall a fun story about two nations bonding together over a gentle giant. (

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rtl5624 | Sep 13, 2020 |

This book is based on a true event. I love how Judith St. George turned a historical event between Africa and France into a children's book. Zarafa, was born in Africa where she lived until she was big enough to travel all the way to Paris to serve as a gift to King Charles X. I would use this book in my classroom to talk about history and why Muhammad Ali, the viceroy of Egypt, thought it was a good idea to give a giraffe as a gift. (

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CasieBelaire | Nov 30, 2015 |

Hynes Library:
A beautifully illustrated tale of how Zarafa a sweet Africian giraffe travel to france as a gift for the king. Includes a map, author note, bibliography. (

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mccabe1030 | Jun 15, 2012 |

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Awards

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee – Grades K-3 – 2011)

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The Best Children's Books of the Year (Five to Nine – 2010)

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Muhammad Ali of Egypt

Charles X of France

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Zarafa is a beautiful and gentle giraffe, so wonderful, in fact, that the ruler of Egypt offers her as a gift to the king of France. But how to get her there? Why, she sails up the Nile by felucca, crosses the sea by brigantine, and, yes, walks the last five hundred miles to Paris. People love it. And they love her, meeting and greeting her along the way, cheering her on. Afterward, the grateful French king places Zarafa in his own royal garden, where all of Paris comes to visit and love her. Judith St. George brings this amazing-but true-journey to life with help from the whimsical art of Britt Spencer.

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