de Vries is a former winner of the Dutch National Book Award, the Silver Pen, and has been included on the List of Honor of the European Prize for Juvenile Literature.
Kirkus Review - Children (09/15/2009):
A beloved toy is lost and found again--well, not exactly, but close
enough--in this charming, lighter-than-air import. Raf is a stuffed
giraffe who is clearly the favorite companion of his owner Ben.
Raf's portrait on the cover reveals mud stains, straggly hair and a
goofy grin while the opening double-page spread shows him flying
through the air with one leg clutched in a mittened hand. Then Raf
disappears, and his imaginary adventures begin. According to
hand-lettered postcards with evocative stamps, Raf is in far-off
Africa, traveling by camel caravan, floating past flamingos,
frolicking with elephants, swinging through trees with monkeys and
visiting his spotted kin. Unusual perspectives and bold use of
color keep the illustrations interesting while the contrast between
Ben's cold, snowy home in Holland and the sunny African scenes adds
appeal. Raf's ingenuous comments prepare Ben (and readers) for the
change in his appearance upon his joyous return. Parents might
learn a trick or two; kids are likely to accept Raf's
transformation at face value. Pure delight. (Picture book.
4-8)(COPYRIGHT (2009) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)
School Library Journal (10/01/2009):
PreS-Gr 1This gem follows a toy giraffe that spontaneously
disappears from his child's room to travel through Africa. Even
from the first view of Raf, who gleefully dangles from his walking
owner's mitten, children will note a spirit of adventure. In
postcards sent to his owner/pal, Ben (whom readers never see), Raf
tells of encounters with camels, flamingoes, elephants, monkeys,
and giraffes. The final card announces his impending return home.
Just in time for Ben's birthday, the toy arrives in the mail,
dressed in kente cloth and colored beads, and sporting a great
grin. DeVries uses postcards for her text, and Dematons's
illustrations on full spreads bring deep textures and colors to the
pages. Tiny Raf at the feet of giraffes at sunset and his night
jungle experience as some monkeys' tug-of-war prize evoke strong
sensory components. The scene of Ben's toys in party hats is a
hoot. In addition to being a great success with preschool fans of
toy tales, this story could also be shared with primary-grade
children in conjunction with units on biome study or
continents."Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen,
VA" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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