Children's book: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Overview
Roald Dahl's The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (1985) is a bright, fast-moving children's tale told in the voice of a boy named Billy. It follows the improbable exploits of an eccentric window-cleaning firm composed of three animals: a giraffe, a pelican (the "Pelly"), and a monkey. The story mixes Dahl's mischievous humor with warm friendship and a string of wildly inventive set pieces.

Characters and Setting
Billy is a curious, observant narrator who becomes friends with the three members of the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. The giraffe uses its long neck to reach high panes, the pelican carries water and tools in its capacious beak, and the monkey scampers and scrubs with nimble skill. They live and work around a small town that feels very much like a Dahl landscape: a mix of ordinary streets, cozy shops, and grand houses with towering windows that cry out for ladder-free cleaning.

Plot Summary
The story opens with Billy discovering the unusual business and learning how the three animals operate together. Their company's name explains their technique: no ladders are needed when the giraffe can stretch up to the highest windows and the pelican can ferry buckets and equipment in its beak. The narrative delight comes from Dahl's playful descriptions of the animals' personalities and the clever ways they solve practical problems with comic flair.
A major turning point arrives when a wealthy duke needs help with a special task. The animals accept a large, prestigious job that places them at the center of a surprising adventure. During the course of that assignment they confront a criminal incident that threatens the duke's prized possessions. Instead of sitting back, the giraffe, the pelican, and the monkey improvise a daring plan that uses each of their strengths: height, a multitasking beak, and acrobatic agility. Billy watches and assists, narrating the suspense and joy of the rescue.
The animals' success wins them public acclaim and a handsome reward, and the tale ends on a celebratory note. Dahl ties the adventure to a comforting sense of justice: cleverness, courage, and cooperation get the better of greed and mischief. The resolution reinforces the bond between Billy and his unusual friends while leaving readers smiling at the sheer inventiveness of the solutions.

Themes and Tone
Playfulness and loyalty run through the story. Dahl emphasizes teamwork and the value of unique talents, showing how oddness can be an advantage when people, or animals, work together. The tone is jaunty and affectionate, with a strong undercurrent of childlike wonder. Danger is present but never overwhelming; it serves mostly to elevate the suspense and highlight the protagonists' resourcefulness.

Illustration and Legacy
Quentin Blake's loose, lively illustrations perfectly complement Dahl's text, adding visual gags and emotional warmth. The pictures and the prose form a seamless partnership, amplifying the book's humor and charm. Over the years the story has remained a favorite for its simple moral, memorable characters, and the sheer pleasure of imagining a pelican carrying everything in its beak.

Conclusion
The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me is a compact, gleeful adventure that showcases Roald Dahl's talent for blending whimsy with moral clarity. It celebrates unlikely friendships and imaginative problem solving, leaving readers with a satisfyingly cozy sense that the world is a little more magical when eccentric characters get together and put their talents to good use.