Try creating an abridged version of the story, using communication symbols. Depending on the needs of the children, this might be using an existing communication system such as Widgit, Picture Commmunication Symbols (PCS) or Communication in Print or visuals. (The RtW2 project used a book from Sweden called Pelle in Space* identified during the RtW project, as this is a great example of a book that was abridged and also supported with symbols.) Create a giant Zeraffa for the school.The RtW2 school project involved making an adult (well over 6ft tall) and a baby (nearly 5ft tall), made by the children, using a wide range of tactile materials. The hunters captured a giraffe in Africa and brought it home for the Pasha. The Pasha decided to give her to the King of France as a present. It was along way from Africa. I love this story because it’s a historical event but also because I wonder what Zeraffa was thinking in her new surroundings and how much Atir kept her strong during that trip. Zeraffa lived in the Jardin de plants and kings granddaughter fed her apples. Atir told Zeraffa stories of Africa that might have made her happy.

Quelques considérations sur la Girafe», in Audouin, Brongniard et Dumas (dir.), «Annales des sciences naturelles», tome 11, Paris, Crochard, 1827, p.211

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Graceful yet awkward, cuddly yet lanky, horns that don’t threaten, spots that don’t repeat, growls we can’t hear and alert, never sleeping for longer than a few seconds... That day, I knew I had the soul of a giraffe.

They had to sail down the River Nile, Atir looked after the giraffe who he called Zeraffa by feeding her milk so she could grow. Study of the Giraffe Given to Charles X by the Viceroy of Egypt (1827) by Nicolas Huet II, also showing the groom who would look after her for eighteen years The story is a fascinating one and its telling in this beautiful and unusual book will capture readers’ imaginations, and quite likely inspire them to find out more about Zeraffa and her keeper, Atir. These three books have been illustrated by the amazing, Kate Greenaway medal-shortlisted Poonam Mistry, who uses her unique style to bring the words to life, finding new things each time you read the stories.Dianne Hofmeyr gives just the right amount of detail to interest a child, like the ladies combing their hair with porcupine quills on the banks of the Nile who feed Zeraffa Giraffa with dates and pomegranates as the felucca sails past. And I loved learning about the specially-made cloaks to keep Zeraffa dry when it rained and warm when it snowed. What do you think is going to happen? I think the giraffe will say rhymes to the other the animals and the animals will not like it. When she was walking home, a boy found her and liked her rhymes. Create tactile images to support the story. You might use I Feel a Foot as inspiration. Think about the different textures of the different parts of the giraffe’s body as well as the shapes.