Once There Were Giants [Paperback]

Martin Waddell (Author), Penny Dale (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

As a baby girl grows up and becomes an adult, the "giants" in her family seem to grow smaller.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- The narrator shares her family album with readers, and highlights moments of passage from her infancy to adulthood. The first and last illustrations, similarly posed, complete a cycle. At first, the storyteller is herself a baby, looking up to her mother, father, two other children, and Uncle Tom. Finally, she takes her place with the giants as a new mother. This British import is rather unexciting and episodic, using the metaphor of giants rather than a plot to hold it together. However, Dale's watercolor and pencil illustrations embellish ordinary events delightfully in this chronicle of life in one relaxed, middle-class, contemporary family. --Anna Biagioni Hart, Sherwood Regional Lib . , Alexandria, VA
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763602868
• ISBN-13: 978-0763602864
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,372,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Martin Waddell is the Hans Christian Andersen Medal winner 2004 and two-time Smarties Prize winner. Among his many books for children are the Little Bear and Farmer Duck series. Martin lives in Newcastle in County Down.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A touching story of a girl's growth from baby to "giant.", July 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Once There Were Giants (Paperback)

Oh my, the first time I read this delightful but touching story to my 18 month old daughter I sobbed so hard she turned around to look at me - but she was smiling. As if she understood that I was "crying for happy." Any parent will be touched by the first person story of the Giants (adults) in this growing girl's life. As I read it I even think of my own childhood and how my mother must have been amazed at how fast it happened. Like all of Martin Waddell's books this one is well written and enjoyable for both the children for whom it is intended and their parents. The illustrations are charming; fun and colorful. Thanks for touching our hearts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Baby Gift for Mom or Grandma, August 12, 2006

By 

Abby C (Middle Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once There Were Giants (Paperback)

This book is one of my favorites to give to families that have large extended families like the one depicted in the story. Just as the other reviewers have said, it is more for adults in many ways than young children. That makes the beer on dad's head very irrelevant. It is very sweet, and does show how fast time goes - the baby girl on the first page becomes a giant on the last page too fast. I've given it to many of my friends' daughters and everyone has loved it!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!, November 29, 2004

By 

P. Richhart "scrappin" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once There Were Giants (Library Binding)

We discovered this book years ago at the library and instantly loved it. I have to admit that *I* probably love it more that my children. It is so sweet and touching how it portrays the circle of life. I love the illustrations of the little girl growing up in all of her phases. I decided that we need to have it in our personal library so I can continue to read it to my children and hopefully one day read it to my grandchildren as well!