Customer Reviews

The Selfish Giant

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know very much about Oscar Wilde. I was drawn to the book by its illustrations. I purchased a copy for my then-four son and read it to him one evening. When I reached the end I was pretty stunned. The beautiful artwork conveyed the story so beautifully and at the end when I realized WHO the little boy was -- I had a hard time finishing the story.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I have purchased multiple copies as gifts. This is not a book you read once and leave on the floor in the kids' room to become damaged. It stays in a nice place where it will be passed from generation-to-generation.

WARNING - I may say something offensive here - I have absolutely NO problem with "the religious overtones" (as put by some other reviews - and for those who don't understand the significance, the one mention means nothing anyway). After years of academia's cold influence on the nature of man, sin, and redemption, a hint of Hope is not unforgiveable.

Beautiful, beautiful piece of artwork. My hat is off to the author and brilliant illustrator.

- Dr. T.A.B.

"Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden..." So begins Oscar Wilde's timeless classic. The children love the Giant's garden, its soft grass, beautiful flowers, tall climbing trees, and singing birds. But when the Giant returns from a seven year visit and sees all the children playing happily, he is angry. "My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant. "Anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself." He selfishly builds a high, high wall around the garden and puts up a "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" sign. The children were very sad. They had nowhere to play and spent their days remembering the Giant's wonderful garden. Inside the high wall, the birds stayed away, and the flowers would not bloom. Winter had come to stay. Snow, Frost, Hail, and the North Wind now lived in the garden. There was no Spring, Summer, or Autumn. And then one day, the Giant noticed a small boy had entered his cold and wintry garden, and he began to feel very sorry for what he had done. As the little boy began to cry, the Giant's heart melted..... Originally published in 1888, The Selfish Giant is as magical today as it was well over a hundred years ago. Oscar Wilde's simple, yet eloquent text, with its gentle message of love and generosity, is charming, engaging, and begs to be read aloud. But it's Saelig Gallagher's marvelously detailed and evocative illustrations that really make this picture book stand out and sparkle. Perfect for youngsters of all ages, The Selfish Giant, with its satisfying, happily-ever-after ending, is a masterpiece to share with friends and family now, and with future generations in the years to come.

The story of the Selfish Giant is a wonderful book with a lot of deep meaning, I love the lesson it teaches. The illustrations in this book are amazing. I love to look at every detail of every picture. I have seen this book in other styles but they can't compare to the artwork of Saelig Gallagher. Thank you Oscar and Saelig for an amazing book!

This book came home from the library with us one day. My ten yr. old daughter had a load of chapter books to read for school goals, and I grabbed this easy-collection book just for fun. I read it aloud to her that evening, and hadn't pre-read it at all. I was pretty tired, and just assumed it would be a nice little read before bed. As I read, I was still feeling it was a nice, typical fairy tale. When the surprise came, my daughter and I were equally stunned. The magic jumped from the book to both of us at the same time. There is a genius to the simplicity! (Thank you, Mr. Wilde, Ms. Gallagher) What a treasure! My daughter wanted her own copy immediately, and it is a book she will take into her adult life, to share someday with her own kids (unless I read it to them first!) I can't believe I got to adulthood, as a reader, and never knew this book! But how nice to discover it!!

I would highly recommend this book to all fathers that read to their children. This book is a "must have" for your book collection.

A giant doesn't have many friends as it is, and when this giant chases away the children from his castle yard--and builds a wall to keep them out--because he wants it all to himself, something happens that has never happened before.

Picture Book: Fantasy

The Creative Teacher: Activities for Language Arts (Grades 4 through 8 and Up)

This has always been one of my favorite children's stories and Gallaghers illustrations bring the tale to life as I have never seen before. A must read for your kid..

A timeless fairy tale by Oscar Wilde , for all from 2 years old to 122 years old. It will be appreciated today, as it was when it was first published in 1888. These tales never lose their charm or their wonderful lesson.

A Giant kicks all the children out of his garden and builds a high wall around it because "My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant. "Anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself."
But he is punished by winter never leaving the garden, and when finally the children return, he is delighted and takes the wall down. Spring returns to the garden , and through his friendship with one very special little boy he will be eternally rewarded.