This is a joyous story of friendship and fun. I have a physical copy now and the size and shape make it a delight to share with young readers.
Absolutely loved it!
Gifting it to a family as part of their Christmas gifts this year as I know the 4 year old will adore it.

My littles didn't get all the jokes but this is a cute book to read. Even the big kids will enjoy the silly animals.

Torla is a smaller than average giraffe and Smorla is an average giraffe. When one has a problem the other helps. This book was super fun and cute. The story is simple but sometimes that’s all it takes. The illustrations are what brings this book to life and the funny sizing also helps. I’d be happy to have this in my collection at any time.

There wasn’t much to this book other than descriptive language used way too much and it became boring after the first few pages. The two giraffes weren’t interesting to follow along on their journey and I still don’t have much of an idea what this book was supposed to bring to the table. The illustrations were okay and I did like all the other animals introduced far more than the two giraffes.

Bizarre but funny long-necked mini-adventure.

Torla and Smorla are two giraffes out for a longer-than-average walk. But Torla seems to have her head stuck in a cloud. As such, she can’t see anything ahead and must be guided around a whole series of interesting and sometimes dangerous obstacles. Even when they’ve made it, will that be the end of the cloud-based escapade?

A silly little story, full of funny little characters and scenes, I’m trying to work out the point of it all, though with Kes Gray sometimes the point of it is simply enjoying nonsense together.

Lovely illustrations of course, and I’m sure young readers will find this very entertaining.

For ages 2-5. With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

A delightful and very sweet book with two very different friends, one of whom is super helpful to the other when they get their head stuck in a cloud. Very imaginative and creative. Many thanks to Happy Yak/Frances Lincoln and NetGalley for early access.

The story is great fun. The illustrations are delightful. BUT. The format for e-reading is unpleasant. I think that its best assets are displayed in print.
The illustrations by Chris Jevons are fun, simple, colorful, and delightful.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books | Happy Yak via NetGalley. Thank you!

Torla & Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud is a book about a very tall giraffe and a very small giraffe going on a walk together. Torla, the taller than average giraffe, gets her neck stuck in a cloud and hijinks ensue.

The illustrations were fantastic! I love the cartoony style and that the giraffe spots were actually stars! The text was fun & upbeat. I smiled the whole time that I read this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Publishing, and Kes Gray for the chance to read & review!

Torla and Smorla and The Lower Than Average Cloud is a charming story about two giraffes overcoming the the difficulty of traveling while Tora's. vision is blocked by a cloud. The illustrations are very colorful, and the story is silly and cute. I think young children will love this book.

I receive an ARC from Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books | Happy Yak via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cute and funny story about team work and friendship.
When Torla gets her head stuck in a cloud her friend Smorla must help led her down the road.
The text introduces some complex vocabulary in a playful and repetitive way. With the phrase “than average” used multiple times. Lots of opportunities to explore maths concepts with younger children. In addition you could explore the aspect of trust and helping others.
The pictures complement the story beautifully using position and taller pages to draw the eye.
A fun read for any age. I highly recommend it!


Thank you to the author, illustrator, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗 is a story that teaches children the importance of kindness, trust and friendship. It also teaches them that each one of us, no matter how different, has strengths that come through when needed. The friends start off an adventure that tests the problem solving and leadership skills of one and the ability to trust of the other. The story was funny and engaging. A positive and uplifting addition to any library.

This was a cute, and funny little book about two giraffes. One is taller than average, and one is smaller than average. These two friends decide to go for a walk, but unfortunately a lower than average cloud is covering Torla's head, making it impossible for her to see where she's going. Smorla, the smaller than average giraffis there to help! She guides Torla through their walk-
This fun book shows children the importans of being helpfull and trusting your friends.
Well writen and adorably illustrated!

A cute, fun and engaging picture book. The pull-out flaps can’t really be done in an E-book, but I can see they’ll add a lot to the enjoyment and the illustrations are just brilliant. I love the repeated use of the terms ‘taller-than-average’, ‘shorter-than-average’ etc- a great way to introduce kids to longer words! I was a bit disappointed at the end as I was waiting for a twist, but still a lovely book which highlights the importance of helping your friends!

There is nothing than average about this book. My initial thoughts were that I was going to loathe tis book for the play on words that would be confusing for children starting out on their reading journeys. I worried about the common sounding pronunciation that drop phonic sounds and the general spelling of words. But here's a prime example of why you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

The story is well thought out. Torla and Smorla are used as names only with the actual words, 'taller,' and 'smaller' being used appropriately. The illustrations are cute, the tall pages are clever, and the use of blank space is fabulous. I really enjoyed the book and can find no fault in it. For the more inquisitive child, it could potentially invite conversations about height, diversity, as well as give them some advanced vocabulary.

Thank you Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Frances Lincoln Children's Books publications for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

This was lovely, with bright colour and cute illustration. I think it will be a great book after publications with fold out and open out pages

My kid enjoyed reading it. Definitely good for younger kids.

This was a cute story about thrse two giraffe friends. I feel like there was a missed opportunity to see how Torla could have helped out Smorla though.

Torla and Smorla and the Lower than Average Cloud is a whimsical tale about a giraffe named Torla who encounters a low-hanging cloud, getting their head stuck. Despite some repetitive and wordy sections, the book’s tall format provides an interactive perspective. Bright illustrations, especially of yoga crocodiles, enhance the story’s charm. While it delivers nice messages about friendship and relying on others, it’s most enjoyable when read aloud. Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the book.

The online net galley option was a bit tricky to read as the formatting was a little weird. It was a very cute illustration style and the story was fine. Honestly it was kind of hard to read aloud with a lot of words sounding the same and the “bigger than average” lingo over and over again.

I think the flaps and folds in this book will add a lot of fun hands-on reading! I didn't love the long hyphenated words but understand the concept it could teach! Fun story about working together and trusting friends!

Torla and Smorla is the story of two friends who's trust in one another helps them along their longer than average journey. The illustrations for Torla and Smorla were fantastic, and I anticipate the print edition will be phenomenal with the taller than average giraffe. Overall, the story was a bit short, and definitely had the potential to go on a little longer.