Anne and Her Tower of Giraffes: The Adventurous Life of the First Giraffologist
By Karlin Gray
Illustrated by Aparna Varma
So just what is a tower of giraffes? Is it something you see at a circus? Do giraffes really stand on each others backs to form a tower?
To find out, read Anne and Her Tower of Giraffes, a Junior Picture Biography about Dr. Anne Innis Dagg’s adventures following giraffes throughout her lifetime.
As a little girl, Anne’s mother took her to Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo where she saw her first giraffe. She was amazed by and fell in love with this elegant, tall, seemingly gentle giant with brown eyes. At that time, she knew she wanted to study giraffes for the rest of her life. She searched high and low for information on giraffes for years and years but came up with very little. At that time, in the 1930s and 1940s, there was no internet to use as a resource. So, how did Anne learn enough about giraffes to become the very first scientist known as a “giraffologist”?
As an adult, she wanted to teach the world all she knew about giraffes. She had enough knowledge and education to teach at universities but no university would hire her. Why was she denied teaching positions? How did Anne Innis Dagg let the world know about giraffes if she could not teach?
Read this beautiful, colorfully illustrated book with Anne’s story and many, many adorable giraffes. You can learn more about Anne and giraffes from her documentary movie, The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, aired on AMC’s and Sundance’s Prime Video Channels.
And…don’t forget to read the Author’s Notes and check out the Resources for Kids in the back of the book.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
