ALA Booklist (Sun May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Bertie the giraffe has a predictable but happy life. Each day he and his herd nibble leaves from trees (crunchity-crunch), drink from the watering hole (sip, slurp), and curl up for a nap (snore, snore). One day, though, Bertie oversleeps and wakes up to find his herd has moved on without him. Lost and alone, Bertie wanders through some woods where he encounters another giraffe ust like him, only he is blue." Acting as guide, Blue leads Bertie through the wilderness back to his herd, pointing out many wonders along the way beautiful flower, galloping zebras, colorful birds. Bertie is amazed by it all and invites his new friend to join the herd. Not only do they accept Blue, their lives are made better by all the new things Blue has to share. Litten's sweet illustrations make good use of white space and vibrant color, and the giraffes' faces are wonderfully expressive. Aside from offering a satisfying friendship story, this book celebrates differences and shows how enriching diversity can be.

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Separated from the other giraffes, Bertie meets Blue (also a giraffe, but blue), who introduces Bertie to his unfamiliar and wondrous home. In turn, Bertie brings his friend back to his herd to share these new experiences. Stylized illustrations contrast the predictable yellow giraffe world with the magical, delicately portrayed environment Blue inhabits, its beauty lending credibility to the herd's instant and unhesitating acceptance.

Kirkus Reviews

Mismatched animals who become friends are a common theme in picture books, and this one is visual proof that a real friend is "true blue." Every day is the same for Bertie and the other yellow giraffes. They nibble leaves from the treetops, drink cooling water at the water hole, and then snooze. That is, until the day when Bertie oversleeps and wakes up alone. Without the rest of the tower, he is lost. How will he find his way home? Just as he starts to cry, a shy creature steps forward—he's just like Bertie, only blue! Not only does Blue show him the way home, but he draws Bertie's attention to all kinds of unnoticed things, like rare flowers. Best of all, the other yellow giraffes love Blue, and from then on they all see things a little bit differently each day. Sound effects ("crunchity-crunch," "sip, slurp," "trit trot") pepper the text, adding some liveliness. The giraffes are depicted with brown (or blue) polka dots and spindly legs, and the stylized flora in the background adds to the whimsy. One fanciful image shows the sleeping giraffes with their necks curled in loops; another, tall, vertical spread underscores the giraffes' long necks. The theme of feeling different and finding a friend is predictable here, but kids will enjoy the colorful illustrations and laid-back delivery. A gentle story with a sweet message that doesn't hit readers over the head. (Picture book. 4-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Litten (Bike On, Bear!) delivers a deceptively simple story that celebrates individuality, acceptance, and friendship. Bertie and his fellow giraffes-with their long necks and rounded bodies, they almost look like a row of eighth notes or soup ladles as they nibble leaves from tall trees-follow the same schedule every day. Having overslept one morning, Bertie wakes up alone and lost, fretting about how he-ll find his herd, until he encounters a giraffe -who was just like him-except he was blue!- (Bertie and his brethren are yellow.) As they travel together, Blue shows Bertie a world of vivid flowers, unfamiliar birds, and a rushing herd of zebras, sights he-s never seen before. After Bertie rejoins his herd, Blue (who fears he won-t belong) is instead accepted -just the way he was.- Closing scenes that show the giraffes amid the colorful birds and flowers Bertie previously discovered underscore Litten-s message about the value of breaking outside of one-s comfort zone-and getting to know people who don-t look exactly like you. Ages 4-8. Agent: Alan Lynch, Arena Illustration. (June)