Reading Never Stops

GRACE THE GIRAFFE IN PARIS
by Oliver and Lina Nordin Gee

This book is inspired by a true story about a giraffe that actually walked from Marseilles to Paris in 1827, kicking off a fashion trend among Parisians who’d never seen a giraffe before. It is appropriate for children aged 3-11 years.

Oliver and Lina Gee have graciously given hundreds of copies of Grace the Giraffe to children and youth who attend a school or belong to a community group with which WIF collaborates.

Because of their generosity, we have expanded our Reading Never Stops literacy initiative from two states to eight and been able to seamlessly plant the seed of the idea of travel in the minds of these children.

We’re happy to share pictures of some of them on this Web page.

HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL – Chicago, IL

Second graders at Holy Family School received Grace the Giraffe in Paris.

Unbeknownst to WIF or to donors Oliver and Lina Gee, the school’s assistant principal is a big fan of giraffes and has statues of these animals on the premises.

This made the gift of Grace the Giraffe even more memorable!

ETOILE ACADEMY – Houston, TX

English Language Learner educators at Etoile Academy used the gift of Grace the Giraffe in Paris to introduce their students to new vocabulary. The students LOVE it!

CENTER FOR BLACK EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT – Philadelphia, PA

Young scholars at the Center for Black Educator Development loved Grace the Giraffe in Paris!

VILLAGE PROJECT – San Francisco, CA

The Village Project in San Francisco distributed Grace the Giraffe in Paris as part of its Christmas 2022 giveaway of toys and books.

SOUTH BRONX EARLY COLLEGE ACADEMY – Bronx, NY

SBECA’s 6th-grade students were so inspired by the gift of Grace the Giraffe in Paris that they read the book themselves and then gave their copies to students at the PS 161 Juan Ponce De Leon elementary school in the Bronx to “pay it forward”!

They even attached stickers to the books to remind the elementary school children where the books came from!

MARION P. THOMAS CHARTER SCHOOL STEAM ACADEMY – Newark, NJ

Students at the Marion P. Thomas Charter School STEAM Academy appreciated receiving Grace the Giraffe in Paris as well.