NOT A SPOT TO SPOT

In this tale based on actual events, a baby giraffe born with a unique look stands tall.

This calf is a solid tan color, without any spots. What a momentous, rare occurrence! The zookeepers’ shocked question—”Where are her spots?”—spreads throughout the zoo as the baby giraffe takes her first steps and wobbles outside. Everyone, from the visitors to the meerkats and penguins, asks about the newcomer’s lack of spots. Bright sunlit backdrops and even brighter, large-eyed characters give no hint of maliciousness; pure curiosity fuels their chattering. Mama reassures her little one with hushed advice at the end of the day: “Grow up strong and sure. Always stand tall. Be proud of who you are.” The zoo polls the public for ideas on what to name the calf. Votes are tallied worldwide, and the zoo decides on the name Kipekee, which means unique in Swahili. Verdick’s carefully chosen text, with internal rhymes and short phrasing, gently builds in momentum as Kipekee grows, reminding readers to be proud of what sets them apart. Backmatter notes that the real-life Kipekee was born at the Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, in 2023; some readers will wish for photographs of the spotless giraffe. Human characters are diverse.

Sweet, soothing, and enlightening—ideal for youngsters’ first forays into nonfiction.