Review Blog

Oct 01 2009

Where the giant sleeps by Mem Fox

Ill. by Vladimir Radunsky. Puffin, 2009. ISBN 978067071739.
(Age 1+) Recommended. A beautiful picture book with the most luminous illustrations Where the giant sleeps is a perfect bedtime story and a book that will capture the imagination of young children. A little boy views all sorts of wondrous things through his telescope. He sees where a fairy dozes, and where a wizard dreams. There is a gorgeous ending of elves sewing a quilt of moons and stars to wrap the little boy in and send him to sleep.
The illustrations are outstanding. The picture of the giant could be the countryside, with trees for hair and houses for nose and mouth, or it could be a giant. All the figures are slightly fuzzy to give a dream like quality to the story. The colours are beautiful rich greens and yellows. The words and the illustrations go so well together, it is a joy to read and look.
This book is a keeper and will bring lots of delight to the adult who reads it and the young who listen to it at bedtime or those who find its lovely rhymes a perfect way to help them to read themselves.
Pat Pledger