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Giant: A feel-good children's book about growing up and being yourself
'A book that celebrates friendship and the power of being true to yourself.' Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Shortlisted for the North Somerset Teacher's Book Award 2017; nominated for the Lancashire Fantastic Book Awards 2018; longlisted for the 2018 Shrewsbury Bookfest Big Book Award
It's hard to measure up in a family with high expectations. But it's even harder when those people sometimes use you as an arm rest. And call you 'Peanut'.
Anzo is 11 years old and very, very short. Mum, Dad and his two uncles are extremely tall but they're also high achievers, obsessed with fulfilling their lifelong ambition of opening a restaurant together. Everyone has a role - but where does Anzo fit in? If only he could grow a few inches in height, then no one would be able to overlook him.
Then, overnight, Anzo starts to grow. Is life as a giant going to solve all his problems, or should he stop worrying and learn to just be himself?
Shortlisted for the North Somerset Teacher's Book Award 2017; nominated for the Lancashire Fantastic Book Awards 2018; longlisted for the 2018 Shrewsbury Bookfest Big Book Award
It's hard to measure up in a family with high expectations. But it's even harder when those people sometimes use you as an arm rest. And call you 'Peanut'.
Anzo is 11 years old and very, very short. Mum, Dad and his two uncles are extremely tall but they're also high achievers, obsessed with fulfilling their lifelong ambition of opening a restaurant together. Everyone has a role - but where does Anzo fit in? If only he could grow a few inches in height, then no one would be able to overlook him.
Then, overnight, Anzo starts to grow. Is life as a giant going to solve all his problems, or should he stop worrying and learn to just be himself?
- GenresFiction
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2017
2 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 2, 2017
Giant is one of those books you know you’re just going to love – the kind you want to give a squishy hug to. Everyone can relate to Anzo – feeling like your family ignore you the whole time, putting up with bullies who have nothing better to do than pick on someone to make themselves feel better, but most of all, coming to terms with who you are, and how no matter how tall or small you are, that isn’t going to change a thing. It’s about learning to own who you are and what you love and, in Anzo’s case, it’s comic book drawing.
Giant is one of those books that every kid should read – because Anzo growing a few inches changes nothing about him. Sure, he’s taller, but his family are still too loud for him, and still don’t hear him and the bullies just come up with new names, so any kid who reads this is going to read it and see that just being yourself is OK, and it takes more than just growing a few inches to change things.
I loved the little comic book drawings we sometimes had throughout the book – they really added a little bit extra, and I liked that Anzo was talented at comic book drawings and I loved that his friend Elise was willing to help him no matter what, with anything whether it was growing taller, or not. That was the kind of support I felt Anzo needed from the very start, from all those around him, and Elise was the only one to support him whether he was tall or short.
I thought this book was adorable. I wanted to keep reading about Anzo and his life, because his voice was just so raw and honest and hopeful. Mind you, I’m hardly one to judge because if someone said to me, “Leah, would you like to be taller?” I’d say heck yes. Perhaps I should try some of that positive thinking Elise kept going on about… In the meantime, while I’m chanting, go and get your hands on this adorable middle grade novel!
Giant is one of those books that every kid should read – because Anzo growing a few inches changes nothing about him. Sure, he’s taller, but his family are still too loud for him, and still don’t hear him and the bullies just come up with new names, so any kid who reads this is going to read it and see that just being yourself is OK, and it takes more than just growing a few inches to change things.
I loved the little comic book drawings we sometimes had throughout the book – they really added a little bit extra, and I liked that Anzo was talented at comic book drawings and I loved that his friend Elise was willing to help him no matter what, with anything whether it was growing taller, or not. That was the kind of support I felt Anzo needed from the very start, from all those around him, and Elise was the only one to support him whether he was tall or short.
I thought this book was adorable. I wanted to keep reading about Anzo and his life, because his voice was just so raw and honest and hopeful. Mind you, I’m hardly one to judge because if someone said to me, “Leah, would you like to be taller?” I’d say heck yes. Perhaps I should try some of that positive thinking Elise kept going on about… In the meantime, while I’m chanting, go and get your hands on this adorable middle grade novel!
April 14, 2018
Anzo is short for his age. He's eleven years old and people usually call him peanut because he's so small. Everybody in his family is tall, and loud. Being heard and seen at home proves to be difficult. His parents and uncles are opening a restaurant together and they are all working hard towards this goal, but Anzo isn't part of the process. He feels like he doesn't fit in at all. The only one who truly gets him is his best friend Elise.
Anzo has one wish, he wants to grow. If only he could be tall, then all of his problems would be magically solved. He thinks that by being tall people will start to notice him. Will growing really make such a big difference or are there other ways to deal with difficult situations?
Anzo is a sweet and talented boy. He's a good friend, he isn't afraid to put a lot of effort in chasing his dreams and he's genuinely interested in others. His family tends to overlook him and this makes him feel sad and lonely. Fortunately he has a best friend who knows how to cheer him up and she does everything she can to help Anzo with his problems. The friendship in Giant is heartwarming and that makes the story a true gem.
Kate Scott writes about being yourself, fitting in and bullying in an amazing emphatic way. I love that she approaches issues that a lot of children are struggling with, with a fabulous sense of humor. She constantly made me smile and surprised me many times. I loved how Anzo grows, both in the literal sense and as a person. It's a beautiful process to witness. Giant made me feel like a child again and I enjoyed every single page of this fantastic inspiring story.
Anzo has one wish, he wants to grow. If only he could be tall, then all of his problems would be magically solved. He thinks that by being tall people will start to notice him. Will growing really make such a big difference or are there other ways to deal with difficult situations?
Anzo is a sweet and talented boy. He's a good friend, he isn't afraid to put a lot of effort in chasing his dreams and he's genuinely interested in others. His family tends to overlook him and this makes him feel sad and lonely. Fortunately he has a best friend who knows how to cheer him up and she does everything she can to help Anzo with his problems. The friendship in Giant is heartwarming and that makes the story a true gem.
Kate Scott writes about being yourself, fitting in and bullying in an amazing emphatic way. I love that she approaches issues that a lot of children are struggling with, with a fabulous sense of humor. She constantly made me smile and surprised me many times. I loved how Anzo grows, both in the literal sense and as a person. It's a beautiful process to witness. Giant made me feel like a child again and I enjoyed every single page of this fantastic inspiring story.
May 21, 2018
Anzo is a small boy who longs to be taller, is constantly ignored by his bizarre family and bullied by the nasty kids, and is determined to be a comic book artist. When his best friend Elise introduces him to the concept of positive thinking, Anzo applies this to growing... and boy does he grow. Giant is a lovely story about being true to yourself no matter what height you are, with the occasional graphic-novel full page spread illustrated by Anzo (but actually Alexandra Gunn).
Giant by Kate Scott sits at the lower end of the 9-12 age range, and would act as a great bridger for children moving up from 5-8/chapter books.
Giant by Kate Scott sits at the lower end of the 9-12 age range, and would act as a great bridger for children moving up from 5-8/chapter books.
November 4, 2019
As the cover of this shows, Anzo is an unusually short boy in a tall family. He often feels left out due to his size especially with his family.
What he does have is a great friend. What he does have is a talent. This book shows that talent and his friend can help him to realise things about himself and also to grow in many ways.
This book has a lot of great messages. It contains illustrations that fit the story perfectly without being too intrusive into it. It deals with the subjects of not fitting in, bullying and insecurity. I would definitely recommend it to the 8-14 age group who are dealing with any of those issues.
What he does have is a great friend. What he does have is a talent. This book shows that talent and his friend can help him to realise things about himself and also to grow in many ways.
This book has a lot of great messages. It contains illustrations that fit the story perfectly without being too intrusive into it. It deals with the subjects of not fitting in, bullying and insecurity. I would definitely recommend it to the 8-14 age group who are dealing with any of those issues.
July 16, 2017
A gorgeous story about the power of being yourself. Elise's friendship is lush.
October 21, 2018
I loved this book. Such a powerful book about finding your voice, liking yourself and friendship.
January 12, 2018
If you search for Giant to purchase or read reviews about it, you'll find it's often accompanied by the phrase 'A feel-good story children's book about growing up and being yourself.'
But to me, it's even more than that.
We meet Anzo at the beginning: an overlooked despondent, reticent Year 6 boy harboured by his own experiences of home and school life, in which he's often ignored or teased or both. Throughout the story, however, we discover Anzo's inner voice and uncover his true passions, what makes him tick and what makes him him. By the end, fittingly, he's grown both literally and figuratively in every sense of the word.
And that’s just Anzo.
Wait until you meet his usually erratic and rambunctious family – Mum, Dad, Uncle Talbert and Uncle Miles – who are more invested in restoring their house for their new restaurant (which explains a lot as to why Anzo initially feels the way he does) than recognising Anzo and his achievements. Fortunately for them, they realise what they've been missing out on just in time.
As for his best friend Elise (an old-head-on-young-shoulders), she is the friend we all wish to have and what we all need. A future therapist, she's read every book, manual and how-to-guide cover-to-cover on modern psychology and subsequently instils Anzo in to the now very much current way of The Power of Positive Thinking. This, however, can only help him so far...
Readers, particularly of older primary school ages, may identify and relate to some of Anzo’s experiences of being teased at school and generally just not quite 'fitting in'. But they will definitely connect to Anzo (like I did!) and learn that life is not necessarily about fitting in but finding your own way and in fact, sometimes, standing out. Standing out for the right reasons in acknowledging and nurturing what you already have, not what you want or in this case, what you think or wish you want.
Giant packs in big, strong, heartfelt messages in sincere, thought-provoking paragraphs as a result of Kate's eloquent, touching and poignant style of writing which will be welcomed in classrooms, schools and homes across the country.
Kate's writing is also complemented and visually characterised by comic-book style illustrations from Alexandra Gunn, that will greatly appeal to readers in which we peer into's Anzo imagination where he takes inspiration from his real-life everyday battles with bullies, using these experiences as a form of escapism in to the cartoon world through the character of Giant.
If I were to sum Giant up, it's such a refreshingly charismatic read that promotes empathy, confidence-building and overcoming insecurities so well. It will have you really feeling deeply for Anzo (some of the time); laughing out loud (most of the time); and will really prove that good things do come in small – and tall – packages (all of the time!).
A totally transformative tale to read, and read aloud, to help readers truly think and feel what it's like to be others.
If you want to help to not only teach but to also nurture the morals, values and emotions of the children in your class, then I highly recommend that you read this book to them.
But to me, it's even more than that.
We meet Anzo at the beginning: an overlooked despondent, reticent Year 6 boy harboured by his own experiences of home and school life, in which he's often ignored or teased or both. Throughout the story, however, we discover Anzo's inner voice and uncover his true passions, what makes him tick and what makes him him. By the end, fittingly, he's grown both literally and figuratively in every sense of the word.
And that’s just Anzo.
Wait until you meet his usually erratic and rambunctious family – Mum, Dad, Uncle Talbert and Uncle Miles – who are more invested in restoring their house for their new restaurant (which explains a lot as to why Anzo initially feels the way he does) than recognising Anzo and his achievements. Fortunately for them, they realise what they've been missing out on just in time.
As for his best friend Elise (an old-head-on-young-shoulders), she is the friend we all wish to have and what we all need. A future therapist, she's read every book, manual and how-to-guide cover-to-cover on modern psychology and subsequently instils Anzo in to the now very much current way of The Power of Positive Thinking. This, however, can only help him so far...
Readers, particularly of older primary school ages, may identify and relate to some of Anzo’s experiences of being teased at school and generally just not quite 'fitting in'. But they will definitely connect to Anzo (like I did!) and learn that life is not necessarily about fitting in but finding your own way and in fact, sometimes, standing out. Standing out for the right reasons in acknowledging and nurturing what you already have, not what you want or in this case, what you think or wish you want.
Giant packs in big, strong, heartfelt messages in sincere, thought-provoking paragraphs as a result of Kate's eloquent, touching and poignant style of writing which will be welcomed in classrooms, schools and homes across the country.
Kate's writing is also complemented and visually characterised by comic-book style illustrations from Alexandra Gunn, that will greatly appeal to readers in which we peer into's Anzo imagination where he takes inspiration from his real-life everyday battles with bullies, using these experiences as a form of escapism in to the cartoon world through the character of Giant.
If I were to sum Giant up, it's such a refreshingly charismatic read that promotes empathy, confidence-building and overcoming insecurities so well. It will have you really feeling deeply for Anzo (some of the time); laughing out loud (most of the time); and will really prove that good things do come in small – and tall – packages (all of the time!).
A totally transformative tale to read, and read aloud, to help readers truly think and feel what it's like to be others.
If you want to help to not only teach but to also nurture the morals, values and emotions of the children in your class, then I highly recommend that you read this book to them.
November 3, 2021
Truyện không hấp dẫn lắm. Tuy nhiên, cũng có một vài câu triết lí khá hay. Tình tiết Elise bắt Anzo lên phát biểu tại hội nghị truyện tranh có ý nghĩa như một chất xúc tác để Anzo tự tin hơn và hiểu hơn về những khả năng của mình, nhưng nói thật là nó hơi bị gượng ép. Và mình nghĩ không ai nên ép bạn mình làm những việc mà họ không thích và không sẵn sàng cả. Bản dịch cũng không đến mức tệ, nhưng có khá nhiều chỗ dịch không xuôi tai, và nó đã thực sự làm ảnh hưởng đến trải nghiệm đọc của mình.
Cách giải thích của gia đình Anzo cho những hành động vô tâm của họ là cực kỳ vô lí. Mình thấy gia đình Anzo thực sự tệ vì đã không ngó ngàng gì đến cậu và gạt cậu ra khỏi những hoạt động của họ, cả cố tình lẫn vô tình. Nhưng đến cuối truyện, họ lại nói là vì họ lớn lên trong những gia đình hà khắc nên họ muốn cho cậu bé được tự do làm điều mình thích. Nhưng thực ra họ đâu có quan tâm Anzo thích gì. Thậm chí khi Anzo bày tỏ ý muốn tham dự hội nghị truyện tranh, họ còn gạt phắt đi. Hoặc khi Anzo khoe với mẹ chứng chỉ được cấp bởi Hiệp hội Truyện tranh Quốc tế, mẹ cậu chẳng hề để tâm. Sau đó bà giải thích là cứ tưởng Anzo muốn giải thưởng lớn hơn nên bà không muốn đả động đến chuyện ấy. Nhưng đó đâu phải lần duy nhất gia đình Anzo không đếm xỉa đến cậu đâu. Nói tóm lại, cách giải quyết tình huống này thực sự thiếu thuyết phục, và vì vậy nên cũng không đem lại nhiều ý nghĩa giáo dục cho phần cuối truyện.
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Cách giải thích của gia đình Anzo cho những hành động vô tâm của họ là cực kỳ vô lí. Mình thấy gia đình Anzo thực sự tệ vì đã không ngó ngàng gì đến cậu và gạt cậu ra khỏi những hoạt động của họ, cả cố tình lẫn vô tình. Nhưng đến cuối truyện, họ lại nói là vì họ lớn lên trong những gia đình hà khắc nên họ muốn cho cậu bé được tự do làm điều mình thích. Nhưng thực ra họ đâu có quan tâm Anzo thích gì. Thậm chí khi Anzo bày tỏ ý muốn tham dự hội nghị truyện tranh, họ còn gạt phắt đi. Hoặc khi Anzo khoe với mẹ chứng chỉ được cấp bởi Hiệp hội Truyện tranh Quốc tế, mẹ cậu chẳng hề để tâm. Sau đó bà giải thích là cứ tưởng Anzo muốn giải thưởng lớn hơn nên bà không muốn đả động đến chuyện ấy. Nhưng đó đâu phải lần duy nhất gia đình Anzo không đếm xỉa đến cậu đâu. Nói tóm lại, cách giải quyết tình huống này thực sự thiếu thuyết phục, và vì vậy nên cũng không đem lại nhiều ý nghĩa giáo dục cho phần cuối truyện.
-------------
Mình có mở một tiệm sách nhỏ xinh trên Facebook (www.facebook.com/tiemsachlaplanh) và Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tiemsachlap...). Tiệm mình chuyên cung cấp sách đã qua sử dụng (nhưng còn mới) với giá yêu thương. Mong được bạn ghé thăm. ^^
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2017
Wish fulfilment and finding your place in your own skin and your own family...
Everybody in Anzo's family is tall, everybody apart from Anzo that is. He's 11 and mistaken regularly for a pupil in the nursery class at school. Anzo happens to be a talented graphic artist, but with everyone at home having personalities to match their frames, he's often overlooked or in the background.
Of course he's going to want to fit in, be noticed, and wishes hard to grow. And one day he does...
This started as a simple 'I want to grow' Tom Hanks-'Big' wish fulfilment tale, but grew into a rather lovely story about a boy who knows who he really is trying to show his family just what his own talents are.
Anzo's family are a little eccentric, though I thought could have been made more of. Elise, his best friend (a mature-beyond-her-years future shrink) an engaging sidekick, and Anzo himself (which means 'Giant') is a lovely protagonist, who's teased and taunted for his size, given a role in the school play as not one but ALL SEVEN dwarves in Snow White. You feel for him.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters, Anzo's graphic/comic strips and the emotion behind them.
This is a great choice for KS2 and early KS3 readers, aged 9-13. Nothing unsuitable, and quite a quick read.
Review of a Goodreads giveaway review copy.
Everybody in Anzo's family is tall, everybody apart from Anzo that is. He's 11 and mistaken regularly for a pupil in the nursery class at school. Anzo happens to be a talented graphic artist, but with everyone at home having personalities to match their frames, he's often overlooked or in the background.
Of course he's going to want to fit in, be noticed, and wishes hard to grow. And one day he does...
This started as a simple 'I want to grow' Tom Hanks-'Big' wish fulfilment tale, but grew into a rather lovely story about a boy who knows who he really is trying to show his family just what his own talents are.
Anzo's family are a little eccentric, though I thought could have been made more of. Elise, his best friend (a mature-beyond-her-years future shrink) an engaging sidekick, and Anzo himself (which means 'Giant') is a lovely protagonist, who's teased and taunted for his size, given a role in the school play as not one but ALL SEVEN dwarves in Snow White. You feel for him.
I really enjoyed the story, the characters, Anzo's graphic/comic strips and the emotion behind them.
This is a great choice for KS2 and early KS3 readers, aged 9-13. Nothing unsuitable, and quite a quick read.
Review of a Goodreads giveaway review copy.
August 9, 2017
Reviewed by Alex
I was sent this book to review and I would like to thank the author for sending it to me. Thank you, Kate Scott :)
The main character is called Anzo. He is short and the rest of his family are tall. He thinks once he has grown he will feel like he's one of them and more a part of the family. Anzo was my favourite character because I'm nearly 10 and I'm short too. He also liked having quiet time to himself and I like that too.
Anzo's best friend is Elise. She is always telling him he will get taller. Elise is kind towards Anzo and he friends. I liked her because I like kind people, I don't like people who are mean or who try and upset other people.
The plot was really interesting but I'm not going to tell you any spoilers! The book was awesome and it told people that size doesn't matter. It also shows people that to get better at things that you like you have to keep doing them and practising.
I would recommend this book to my best friend because he is short too! I would recommend it to a few of my other friends because they like reading and they're always asking me what good books they should read. I give this book 5 stars.
I was sent this book to review and I would like to thank the author for sending it to me. Thank you, Kate Scott :)
The main character is called Anzo. He is short and the rest of his family are tall. He thinks once he has grown he will feel like he's one of them and more a part of the family. Anzo was my favourite character because I'm nearly 10 and I'm short too. He also liked having quiet time to himself and I like that too.
Anzo's best friend is Elise. She is always telling him he will get taller. Elise is kind towards Anzo and he friends. I liked her because I like kind people, I don't like people who are mean or who try and upset other people.
The plot was really interesting but I'm not going to tell you any spoilers! The book was awesome and it told people that size doesn't matter. It also shows people that to get better at things that you like you have to keep doing them and practising.
I would recommend this book to my best friend because he is short too! I would recommend it to a few of my other friends because they like reading and they're always asking me what good books they should read. I give this book 5 stars.
January 25, 2018
We all have times and places in our lives when or where we don't feel we fit into the world around you. If you (or a child you know) have experience this, the Giant is the book for you. Anzo is a gutsy little boy trying to make his place in a world in which a lot of things seem to be working against him.
A light read with a serious message that's hidden away so it doesn't patronise the reader. The characters are strong and the dynamics between them are funny. Anzo's best friend, a wannabe therapist, is hysterical and my children laughed out loud when I read them the section of organisation v. spontaneity ... "no one argued with a post it note!"
Alexandra Gunn's illustrations are spot on too.
A light read with a serious message that's hidden away so it doesn't patronise the reader. The characters are strong and the dynamics between them are funny. Anzo's best friend, a wannabe therapist, is hysterical and my children laughed out loud when I read them the section of organisation v. spontaneity ... "no one argued with a post it note!"
Alexandra Gunn's illustrations are spot on too.
April 6, 2023
KHỔNG LỒ VÀ TIẾN SĨ QUỶ QUYỆT - Kate Scott
Ui trời, đây thực sự là một cuốn fiction phù hợp cho những người bắt đầu đọc sách. Ngôn từ dễ hiểu, thông điệp đáng yêu, và đặc biệt mình nghĩ đây là một món quà chuẩn đét cho các cháu cấp 2 vì nó được viết cho các bạn nhỏ (không hiểu sao mua trúng sách cho trẻ con mà vẫn mê, chắc do mình cũng trẻ con😅).
Truyện kể về hành trình cao lên của Anzo nhá, một họa sĩ truyện tranh nhí lọt top 20 truyện tranh ấn tượng và đạt giải truyện tranh triển vọng trong tương lai nhưng vẫn luôn thu mình vì những suy nghĩ vẩn vơ. Chắc là do em mới 12 tuổi nên còn rụt rè, và thật may mắn em tìm được người bạn thân Elise, người bạn đồng hành cùng em và là động lực thúc đẩy cho nhiều bước tiến tâm lý của Anzo.
Kkkkkkkk ncl cute
Ui trời, đây thực sự là một cuốn fiction phù hợp cho những người bắt đầu đọc sách. Ngôn từ dễ hiểu, thông điệp đáng yêu, và đặc biệt mình nghĩ đây là một món quà chuẩn đét cho các cháu cấp 2 vì nó được viết cho các bạn nhỏ (không hiểu sao mua trúng sách cho trẻ con mà vẫn mê, chắc do mình cũng trẻ con😅).
Truyện kể về hành trình cao lên của Anzo nhá, một họa sĩ truyện tranh nhí lọt top 20 truyện tranh ấn tượng và đạt giải truyện tranh triển vọng trong tương lai nhưng vẫn luôn thu mình vì những suy nghĩ vẩn vơ. Chắc là do em mới 12 tuổi nên còn rụt rè, và thật may mắn em tìm được người bạn thân Elise, người bạn đồng hành cùng em và là động lực thúc đẩy cho nhiều bước tiến tâm lý của Anzo.
Kkkkkkkk ncl cute
February 8, 2021
What a wonderful story about finding your voice and being comfortable with who you are. Being yourself takes time, friendship and family.
We often think if we can change one thing then everything in our lives will be magically fixed. In this story
"That's the thing, my friend - if you want to get better at something, you have to face the scary, don't you?"
We often think if we can change one thing then everything in our lives will be magically fixed. In this story
"That's the thing, my friend - if you want to get better at something, you have to face the scary, don't you?"
May 11, 2017
although it is a cute story as it is tagged as a teaching aid about being short/tall/different, the lack of consequences when a small child goes off on their own with out parents permission or knowledge is very troubling to me.
March 8, 2020
So cute 💕
December 9, 2022
Đọc vui thì được chứ cách mọi người xung quanh xử lý các vấn đề của Anzo hơi chán. Qua quýt, giáo điều kiểu gì ấy.
March 26, 2023
Câu chuyện hay cho tuổi teen để hiểu thêm về giá trị về gia đình, tình bạn, sự tự tin,...
December 17, 2025
I read this with the class. We loved it, it was so relatable and warm and just lovely. Had some really funny moments but also covered some deep emotional topics. Thoroughly enjoyed.
February 13, 2017
A great transitional book for 7-12 years in the spirit of Wonder. The book tells the story of Anzo, a young man with a problem. He's too short. Ridiculously short in fact. It makes him a prime target for school bullies and easy to ignore amongst his more flamboyant family. He wants to grow tall, convinced that it will solve all his problems. With the help of his best friend and would be therapist, he finds a way to make his dream come true, but things don't turn out to be quite as easy as he had anticipated. Readers accompany Anzo on his journey of realisation, in which he begins to understand that it's what's inside of you that makes all the difference. Powerful, funny and poignant, this is a really great read.
February 12, 2022
Sometimes you should take care of your inner child!
So, I gave it a try. It was good, not perfect. Had a good point for children, not for me as an adult! 😁
But, read it for your children. It was nice.
So, I gave it a try. It was good, not perfect. Had a good point for children, not for me as an adult! 😁
But, read it for your children. It was nice.
April 5, 2020
Poor Anzo! He’s pushed around, laughed at, called names, and seemingly invisible in his very own family. As he deals with one frustration and disappointment after another, he struggles terribly to find his way. But with the help of a good friend, some healthy perspective gained, and a few lucky breaks, he starts to come into his own. Peppered with contemporary charm and wit, Giant delivers big with strong messages about coping with disappointments, following your passions and being true to yourself. It is also chock-full of literacy-enhancing vocabulary and content that will help to boost reading skills. (As an American reading teacher, I’m using it to expose my students to British English as well.) The graphic illustrations are highly engaging and the story culminates in a way that will leave readers completely satisfied. Giant is a little book with big personality, big heart and a “giant” message that “measures up” for sure. Five stars.
February 6, 2017
A brilliant book - laugh-out-loud funny but also wonderfully poignant and thought-provoking.
Anzo (means Giant - but unfortunately he's shorter than average) thinks that growing taller will solve all his problems - including getting his extra-loud family to listen to him, and being cast as all 7 dwarves in 'Snow White'! He'll do ANYTHING to become bigger!
But with the help of his super-organised friend Elise, Anzo gradually comes to realise that just being tall doesn't mean people automatically notice you - and that to stand out from the crowd, you need to focus on who you really are. A beautifully written and unputdownable book which will become an instant classic.
Anzo (means Giant - but unfortunately he's shorter than average) thinks that growing taller will solve all his problems - including getting his extra-loud family to listen to him, and being cast as all 7 dwarves in 'Snow White'! He'll do ANYTHING to become bigger!
But with the help of his super-organised friend Elise, Anzo gradually comes to realise that just being tall doesn't mean people automatically notice you - and that to stand out from the crowd, you need to focus on who you really are. A beautifully written and unputdownable book which will become an instant classic.
December 7, 2017
This is a lovely story. The characters are very nicely done, I think my FBA judges will really take to Anzo and his crazy family and thoroughly enjoy his journey.
Updated halfway through the judging: Every child who's read this so far has been absolutely glowing about it, and it's really touched some of them. Definitely one to get for your "reading for empathy" shelf. I think for a few it's been a step up or out of their reading comfort zone, and opened their eyes to a whole new way of telling stories. And it's one of my favourites this year, too!
Updated halfway through the judging: Every child who's read this so far has been absolutely glowing about it, and it's really touched some of them. Definitely one to get for your "reading for empathy" shelf. I think for a few it's been a step up or out of their reading comfort zone, and opened their eyes to a whole new way of telling stories. And it's one of my favourites this year, too!
April 15, 2025
Khá ổn về một cuốn sách cho trẻ dễ đọc dễ cảm và cũng phù hợp với người mới đọc nhưng còn cảm giác vài điều chưa giải thích xong và cũng như một vài chương khá thừa nhưng ổn để đọc nếu rảnh hoặc muốn thư giãn đầu óc
March 29, 2017
Giant is one of those nice reads that takes you along on the journey, making you smile at the appropriate moments and when you reach the end you feel good about reading.
Anzo’s narration is engaging, plus he is a likeable character. Giant is a book about feeling like you don’t fit and then finding that you don’t have to change to fit. I thought that that message came across well. Admittedly I wasn’t the biggest fan of Anzo’s family, while as interesting characters I thought they were fun to read I found their tunnel vision irritating.
Elise (Anzo’s best friend) is brilliant. I think her character was my favourite. Completely appreciate the sticky-note organisation skills.
Giant was quite a quick read but I didn’t think the story needed anymore. The comic was a nice touch and I liked the plot.
Anzo’s narration is engaging, plus he is a likeable character. Giant is a book about feeling like you don’t fit and then finding that you don’t have to change to fit. I thought that that message came across well. Admittedly I wasn’t the biggest fan of Anzo’s family, while as interesting characters I thought they were fun to read I found their tunnel vision irritating.
Elise (Anzo’s best friend) is brilliant. I think her character was my favourite. Completely appreciate the sticky-note organisation skills.
Giant was quite a quick read but I didn’t think the story needed anymore. The comic was a nice touch and I liked the plot.
April 4, 2017
Anzo isn't happy. It's not just that he is small, he feels small in every way that counts. His height is the cause of constant jokes and bullying at school, and at home, he feels lost among his family who are giants, both in height and personality. He is too small and too ordinary to feel worthy of having his voice heard.
When his best friend, Elise (therapist in training), encourages him to ‘think positive’, and one thing starts to change, he realises that being tall isn't the instant solution he was hoping for. How will he ever measure up?
Funny, moving and ultimately uplifting, Giant is an emotional journey of friendship, self-discovery and believing in yourself.
Great for fans of Mister P and Me, Radio Boy and Just Call Me Spaghetti Hoop Boy.
When his best friend, Elise (therapist in training), encourages him to ‘think positive’, and one thing starts to change, he realises that being tall isn't the instant solution he was hoping for. How will he ever measure up?
Funny, moving and ultimately uplifting, Giant is an emotional journey of friendship, self-discovery and believing in yourself.
Great for fans of Mister P and Me, Radio Boy and Just Call Me Spaghetti Hoop Boy.
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