The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me – Roald Dahl (Session 2027-28)

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is one of the most cheerful of Roald Dahl's short books. A boy, a giraffe, a pelican and a monkey set up a window-cleaning company that does not need a ladder. It is a light, funny animal story with pictures by Quentin Blake, and it is a gentle first Dahl for Classes 2 to 5 in the 2027-28 session.

Exams Book House, Shop Number 4, Al Fazal Market, Urdu Bazar, Lahore, supplies it with cash on delivery across Pakistan and delivery to the Gulf countries.

Quick facts about this copy

• Title on the cover: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
• Author: Roald Dahl · Illustrator: Quentin Blake
• Imprint: Puffin (puffin logo on the cover)
• Characters shown on the cover: the giraffe, the pelican, the monkey, a boy and an old man in a long coat
• First published: 1985
• Reading level: easy chapter book, also a good read-aloud
• Session: suitable for 2027-28

What is the book about?

The story starts with a boy named Billy who lives next door to a sweet shop that has seen better days. The shop is called the Grubber, and it is so run-down that no child will go in. Then three animals arrive. There is a tall giraffe, a pelican with a very large bill and a clever monkey. Together with Billy they form the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, which can wash even the highest windows because the giraffe simply reaches them, the pelican carries the water and the monkey does the climbing.

Their first big customer is a duke who lives in an enormous house with a huge number of windows. What begins as a funny job becomes a bigger adventure when a thief enters the picture. In the end the friends use the particular talents of each animal to solve a problem that no human could have solved alone.

This is a story about friendship across big differences and about solving problems with what you have. It is also very funny. Children who like picture books with real jokes will find it a good step up to chapter books.

What does this copy include?

The front pages of this copy carry a Puffin Books by Roald Dahl list. That list names 22 titles, including The BFG, Boy: Tales of Childhood, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and The Witches. It is a handy "what to read next" list for any child who enjoys this one.

Reading the book part by part

1. Meeting the animals. The opening sets the scene around the sweet shop and shows each animal arriving. Children enjoy imagining the giraffe's neck over the shop.
2. Starting the company. The animals decide to put their skills to use. The business plan is simple: no ladders, no buckets on the ground, no scaffolding.
3. The duke's windows. The first big job takes place at a very large house. It is the funniest part of the book.
4. Trouble and a clever solution. A robber appears and the team has to react quickly. The ending is satisfying and does not need any adult help.

Who should read it?

• Children aged six to nine. It is short, with big type and lively pictures.
• Parents looking for a read-aloud that makes everyone laugh.
• Teachers who need a short book for drama, as the animal roles are easy to act out. It is also useful for lessons about jobs and teamwork.
• Reluctant readers who need to see that a book can be fast and funny.

Why is it a good choice?

The three animals each have one strength, which is a simple lesson in teamwork that children can remember. The humour is physical (a giraffe bending over a roof) and verbal (word-play typical of Dahl). There are lots of small pictures, so even a hesitant reader never faces a wall of text. Finally, the book is short, so a child can say "I finished it" within a week.

When and how to use it

Read a few pages aloud and then ask the child to read the next few. Pause on each new animal and ask what that animal could do best. After finishing, draw a poster for the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company, or write an advertisement for it, which is a nice mini writing task.

Questions to talk about after reading

1. Why did the animals want to start a company with Billy?
2. Which animal's job do you think is the most important, and why?
3. What does the book show about helping others with what you are good at?
4. Why do you think the sweet shop was so run-down at the start?
5. If you had a window-cleaning company, which animals would you hire?

Activities for home or class

• Draw the company. Make a poster for the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company with a slogan and a picture of each animal at work.
• Act it out. Four children can play Billy, the giraffe, the pelican and the monkey, and read their lines aloud.
• Write a job advertisement. What would the giraffe say if he wanted to hire a new helper?
• Make a word list. Collect the funny words and names in the book and say what each one means.

Is it good for session 2027-28?

Yes. It is a simple, friendly choice for home reading or a reading corner in the 2027-28 session. If your child's school has named a specific Dahl title, send the list on WhatsApp so we can match the right edition.

More Roald Dahl books we have

• Fantastic Mr Fox and The Magic Finger are also short and good for the same age.
• The Twits is a bit sillier and a bit meaner, with monkeys again.
• The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are longer stories for the next stage.

Buy it in Urdu Bazar, Lahore

• Shop: Exams Book House, Shop Number 4, Al Fazal Market, Urdu Bazar, Lahore 54000
• Urdu Bazar Lahore book shop number: 0317 4846676 (call or WhatsApp)
• Open: Monday to Saturday, 9 AM – 9 PM; closed on Sunday
• Delivery: all over Pakistan with cash on delivery, and to the Gulf countries

People also search for this book as

the giraffe and the pelly and me · roald dahl giraffe pelly book · giraffe pelican monkey story book · roald dahl short novel class 3 · english story book 2027-28 · urdu bazar lahore roald dahl books · زرافہ اور پیلی اینڈ می

Frequently asked questions

Is it right for children in the 2027-28 session?

Yes. It is an easy, funny reading book for Classes 2 to 5 in 2027-28.

Is it a long book?

No. It is short and has many pictures, so it is a good first chapter book.

Who illustrated it?

Quentin Blake, as printed on the cover.

What other books are listed inside?

The Puffin Books by Roald Dahl page in this copy lists 22 titles.

Do you deliver outside Lahore?

Yes, all over Pakistan with cash on delivery, and to the Gulf countries. WhatsApp 0317 4846676.

Inside the book — contents and sample pages