Giant on the Shore

by Alfonso Ochoa, Andrés López (Illustrator), Shook (Translator)

A giant stands on the shore of a secluded a place where no trains pass through, where you can hear the sound of birds, and the air smells of bread. What would happen if the giant entered the city? Would the people welcome him? Would they invite him to play in their games? Would they tell him stories and teach him to dance? Would he need lawn mowers to trim his beard and power cables to jump rope? Or would he simply return to the waves?
Featuring poignant, acrylic paintings by award-winning illustrator Andrés López, Giant on the Shore is a tale of vulnerability and belonging that explores the enormity of self-doubt and the tremendous potential in taking risks.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a curious little picture book. A giant walks out of the sea, to show himself to humans for the first time, but he's invisible? We get to see footprints, we see his shadow. The book's blurb says it's about vulnerability, which I can see. Mystifying, but nice?



3.5 stars?

(Picked up a review copy through Edelweiss)

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of pretty illustrations, but I didn't really care for this overly allegorical story. I hate to say this, but I didn't really feel like this story was developed for children.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautifully illustrated, with poetic prose, but perhaps a bit too heady for a children's book

[Andrea W · Rating 5 out of 5]

A giant arrives on shore and if he should choose to come ashore, a story could in fact be written in his honor. Haunting in its simplicity, remarkable in its restraint, this story all about the potential of a story is quiet and massive and funny and charming. The illustrations encompass it all, everything but the giant himself, with textures vibrant and hues tactile, the tininess of the vast world that lays just inland is so masterfully conveyed with the juxtaposition of a shadow, a footprint, a void. This book is timeless and ageless and filled with the perfect gentle joy for your bedtime routine. Lay the groundwork for your little one’s imagination to take the giant’s would be story deep into their dreams.

[Bailey Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giant On The Shore is a captivating, unique, eerie, lyrical, and thought provoking read! This mysterious story is very suspenseful. The reader flips every page looking for signs the giant is near/has been there. I love that this book is so deep and written so lyrically. The illustrations add to the allure of this story and the allure of the giant. It is truly a one of a kind story you have to read yourself!

[Erin]

Beautiful and strange.

The book isn't about a giant. Not exactly. It's more a what if? approach. And yet there is a giant in the story, who appears in the illustrations, and who the narrator talks to and about.

What would you do if you met a giant on the shore? What would you think if you *were* a giant on the shore? This is a book to think about. I'm not sure there's a story to consume here. But definitely a book to think about.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giant on the Shore is a beautifully illustrated import that leaves the reader questioning what could be different if...? How might things change if...? Sparking imagination and introspection, Giant on the Shore likewise fosters appreciation for the small things in one's life like shells on the beach or the aroma of bread. It is an excellent choice for the observant and thoughtful child.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

enchanting. and intriguing. and those illustrations (paintings). It's a delightfully strange book and I'm in love. The whimsy and imagination behind moments like the hide-and-seek...

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

pictures show traces of a giant. Super. Story is a poem. good bedtime book

[(M)Sharahyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a creative, curious, inquisitive story with art that could hang in a museum. It’s more of a prompter of imagination than a story being told. Playful…we could use more books like this.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous artwork, text that I don't think would connect with a preschool audience.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, but the story makes no sense and ends extremely abruptly.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me this is a story of imagination and longing, and above all of place. The air of mystery is palpable and the illustrations meet the text there.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic in words and illustrations -- loved this one

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious but also beautiful.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mysterious to the point of perplexing, but appealing overall.

One spread of a red-roofed town with a giant's shadow over a part of it.
"You can tell it's not a big city/because you can hear the movie theater/over the bustle of the cars./Because its birds sing./Because no trains arrive./Because it smells like bread."