This is not a gentle bedtime story. Rather, it is an exciting adventure with violence (almost) worthy of the Grimms. I read it with my (then) 7 year old and there were gasps and tears in a couple of places, and I was a bit surprised at some of the peril the human children found themselves in as toys of the giant girl Jumbelia. This is not to say that it's inherently a problem, but it is perhaps better as a shared read for younger or more sensitive readers. To be honest, it's probably more of a statement about how sanitised many kids' stories have become, and it's certainly true that the violence in this story is easily matched by many cartoons, but somehow it is more surprising enacted on human characters in a book.
The story features an invented language for the giants, with a glossary at the back. (Although for us, reading on a Kindle, we didn't really see this until the end.) Most of the words are guessable in context anyway, and when there are whole songs or sayings in the giant language, the English translation is given in the main text. This language is fun, playful and inventive, and I'm sure most child readers will bring some of the giants' words into their play as my daughter did.
For all the excitement and adventure, there is a moral core to this story which encourages children to think before making pets or toys of wild creatures. Children will not experience this as moralising, but they will absorb the messages about how the children are treated by Jumbelia, who doesn't mean them any harm, but also doesn't quite see them as living creatures who can be hurt.
Overall, I'd recommend this for fans of Donaldson's picture books who are ready to move onto chapter books at bedtime. For the more delicate among them, though, her Princess Mirror-Belle adventures might be more suitable.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
![The Giants and the Joneses: from Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of The Gruffalo by [Julia Donaldson]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Rnt53oWDL._SY346_.jpg)
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Amazon Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial | |
|
Audio CD, Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
—
| $15.20 | — |
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Mrs. B. S. Kemp
Thrilling adventure for kids
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 April 2012Verified Purchase
K. E. Nickols
Enjoyable for parents too
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 April 2009Verified Purchase
Sunners
Amazinf
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 July 2020Verified Purchase
Pen Name
Excellent step up in story telling level
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2019Verified Purchase
Patrick U.
Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 January 2021Verified Purchase
