What do you think?
Rate this book
Gemma and the Giant Girl
An exquisite new picture book from the author of the beloved This Is Sadie about a little doll whose worldview is about to get a whole lot bigger.
Gemma has always lived in a very nice little house, always slept in the same room and always worn the same clothes. A doll in an old forgotten dollhouse, Gemma wonders if she will ever grow up, but her parents tell her she will always be their little girl. Until, one day, the dollhouse is opened by a GIANT, and Gemma's whole life changes. New things are introduced into the little house -- and Gemma finally has an opportunity to leave what's familiar and see the enormous world beyond.
A story that evokes children's classics, Gemma and the Giant Girl is a gorgeously illustrated and poignant tale of what it feels like to be small in a big world and how even the smallest among us can take charge of our own destinies.
Gemma has always lived in a very nice little house, always slept in the same room and always worn the same clothes. A doll in an old forgotten dollhouse, Gemma wonders if she will ever grow up, but her parents tell her she will always be their little girl. Until, one day, the dollhouse is opened by a GIANT, and Gemma's whole life changes. New things are introduced into the little house -- and Gemma finally has an opportunity to leave what's familiar and see the enormous world beyond.
A story that evokes children's classics, Gemma and the Giant Girl is a gorgeously illustrated and poignant tale of what it feels like to be small in a big world and how even the smallest among us can take charge of our own destinies.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published October 5, 2021
49 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 14, 2021
Gemma lives in a dollhouse. Her life has always been the same until a giant comes and takes her out of her comfort zone.
The premise was interesting and I was really curious to read the book. Unfortunately, even if I liked the cute illustrations (except for the human girl who looked a bit weird), enjoyed seeing the life in a dollhouse and kinda appreciated the moral of the story, there was something missing. I was expecting a more unique, more detailed story.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Publication date: September 21
The premise was interesting and I was really curious to read the book. Unfortunately, even if I liked the cute illustrations (except for the human girl who looked a bit weird), enjoyed seeing the life in a dollhouse and kinda appreciated the moral of the story, there was something missing. I was expecting a more unique, more detailed story.
Many thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Publication date: September 21
June 29, 2021
I am not sure how I feel about this book. The illustrations were amazing but the story felt a bit flat for me. This is the story about a little girl who lives with her mother and father. They talk about giants and wonder do they really exist. Turns out the giants are actually human and the little girl and her family are little dolls living in a doll house. The concept was nice but the story was not that great. It was still a good book though and I'd still recommend.
February 9, 2021
It was really good. I like the artwork and the story was surprisingly good, weird, some children might even be frightened by the concept so check it out carefully before, but so good and original.
February 14, 2021
Gemma and the Giant Girl
by Sara O’Leary
Sometimes a girl just needs a little change. When everything remains the same day in and day out, well. Change is longed for. Change is good.
On one eventful, changes-everything day, a giant (a nice one) shakes up Gemma’s world in the best ways, in funny ways, ways that make one think bigger, better thoughts. Ways that makes one see the world from a completely different point of view, helps one see that there is a world outside one’s own world. . . what?! Can it be ? Is there a larger metaphor afoot?? Perhaps.
The words and supporting illustrations wrap and unwrap whimsically to bring this book to life. Order, dollhouse jumble, and reorder – sort of, bring a new normal for Gemma. I’ve been straightening all the toppled dolls around my house since this read. You know, just in case.
A Sincere Thanks to Sara O’Leary, Marie Lafrance, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.
by Sara O’Leary
Sometimes a girl just needs a little change. When everything remains the same day in and day out, well. Change is longed for. Change is good.
On one eventful, changes-everything day, a giant (a nice one) shakes up Gemma’s world in the best ways, in funny ways, ways that make one think bigger, better thoughts. Ways that makes one see the world from a completely different point of view, helps one see that there is a world outside one’s own world. . . what?! Can it be ? Is there a larger metaphor afoot?? Perhaps.
The words and supporting illustrations wrap and unwrap whimsically to bring this book to life. Order, dollhouse jumble, and reorder – sort of, bring a new normal for Gemma. I’ve been straightening all the toppled dolls around my house since this read. You know, just in case.
A Sincere Thanks to Sara O’Leary, Marie Lafrance, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.
February 10, 2021
Things change when a child discovers an old doll house, and she makes things her way. The dolls have been living without a child, or giants, as they call them, and things are very different with the child calling the shots.
Told from the dolls point of view, she doesn't hate that everything has changed. If anything it is different, which she thinks is better than the same thing day after day.
I used to love thinking my doll houses had living things inside, so I think this will appeal to children of the age that like to play with miniatures.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Told from the dolls point of view, she doesn't hate that everything has changed. If anything it is different, which she thinks is better than the same thing day after day.
I used to love thinking my doll houses had living things inside, so I think this will appeal to children of the age that like to play with miniatures.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 1, 2021
“Gemma lived in a very nice little house and had a very nice little life. She had always slept in the same room, had always played with the same toys and had always worn the same clothes. Things had been the same forever and ever.” A captivating picture book by Sara O’Leary, illustrated by Marie Lafrance, Gemma and the Giant Girl marvellously explores perception and the sheer magic and vastness of worlds outside of our own. For the story’s protagonist Gemma, just about everything in her life is the same: everything, from the toys she plays with, to her neat-as-a-pin surroundings, are always and have always been exactly the same. Even when she asks her beautifully attired Momma and Poppa if she will ”grow up one day”, they tell her: ”You will always be our little girl”. They do tell Gemma of a time before- with giants! And that outside their own small house there actually exists an even larger house! When Gemma looks out of her bedroom window, though, she cannot see anything- making it all the more difficult to fathom a world outside of her own, not to mention one with giants! However, one extraordinary day, readers see a bright eye- taking up the entire space of Gemma’s window- peering into Gemma’s bedroom! In a sudden tornado of flying, dropping, and sliding furniture, lamps, tea sets, and fruit, and Gemma are tossed about, upside down, and around. And when things come to a calm, a newly disheveled Gemma wants nothing more than to investigate the possibility of giants and a world outside of her own. I don’t wish to give away too many spoilers here as Gemma and the Giant Girl is a tale full of magic, wisdom, and gorgeousness waiting to be explored. I have had the opportunity (and delight!) of reviewing many of Sara O’Leary’s picture books (A Kid is a Kid is a Kid with Qin Leng and Percy’s Museum with Carmen Mok, among others), and what always strikes me is how perfectly childhood (or childlike) wonder and rumination are captured and expressed by the author’s storytelling- along with generous, welcome dollops of the fantastical. Gemma and the Giant Girl holds all of those elements, with Marie Lafrance’s strikingly beautiful contemporary yet of-another-time pencil and digital illustrations the perfect match. Wonderful, unusual, with a fantastically, richly told and presented story, Gemma and the Giant Girl is a noteworthy, memorable read. Readers who enjoy picture books by authors and/or illustrators like Giselle Potter, Cindy Derby, Grace Lin, or Deborah Marcero, might especially savour this read.
I received a copy of this title courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
February 9, 2021
A big thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book for an unbiased review.
4.5/5 - Really liked it.
This is a short and sweet story of a little doll naked Gemma being introduced to the real world. It translates well to the experiences of childhood - of being safe in your own little world only to be plucked up by the real world and sent off into the unknown.
The illustrations are whimsical and lovely. There is an attention to detail - for example, Gemma’s beautiful red braid becomes frayed as she is played with. The dollhouse fills with unusual objects over time. And the outfits the dolls are wearing change. There is a real problem which is addressed - Gemma is face with a scary world which is unknown. But by setting boundaries and growing curious, she is able to retain her sense of safety while growing, just as children must.
A great book for children as they learn to cope with change and the real world around them.
4.5/5 - Really liked it.
This is a short and sweet story of a little doll naked Gemma being introduced to the real world. It translates well to the experiences of childhood - of being safe in your own little world only to be plucked up by the real world and sent off into the unknown.
The illustrations are whimsical and lovely. There is an attention to detail - for example, Gemma’s beautiful red braid becomes frayed as she is played with. The dollhouse fills with unusual objects over time. And the outfits the dolls are wearing change. There is a real problem which is addressed - Gemma is face with a scary world which is unknown. But by setting boundaries and growing curious, she is able to retain her sense of safety while growing, just as children must.
A great book for children as they learn to cope with change and the real world around them.
February 22, 2021
While I enjoyed this title, I found myself wanting more. I missed having a moral to the story. There didn’t seem to be any conflict in the story, or a plot to move it along so I was expecting some sort of moral, like It’s fun to leave your home but even more fun to return or something like that.
The author kind of left the readers hanging in that way.
The author kind of left the readers hanging in that way.
February 8, 2021
Gemma and the Giant Girl by Sara O'Leary is a beautifully imagined and illustrated story about a young girl whose small and contained life suddenly gets much bigger than she could have ever believed possible. Here is a charming tale of leaving your comfort zone, and finding yourself by reimagining a longheld worldview.
Gemma lives in a tiny house with her mother and father. Life is safe and comfortable, but Gemma begins to wonder if she will ever experience life outside of her own perfectly ordered home. Everything changes when a giant appears, and Gemma's sheltered life will be turned on its head, expanding her life experience in ways she had never dared to dream.
This is an altogether wonderful book that will likely become a favourite of children and adults alike.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Gemma lives in a tiny house with her mother and father. Life is safe and comfortable, but Gemma begins to wonder if she will ever experience life outside of her own perfectly ordered home. Everything changes when a giant appears, and Gemma's sheltered life will be turned on its head, expanding her life experience in ways she had never dared to dream.
This is an altogether wonderful book that will likely become a favourite of children and adults alike.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an ARC.
February 10, 2021
Cute concept, illustrations were nice. I do feel there was a little missing from the story though.
June 26, 2024
Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 06-26-2024
March 12, 2021
Gemma and the Giant Girl is a very whimsical picture book how about a little girl whose life never changes. She has a nice Mommy and Daddy and bedroom and nice toys. Her clothes stay the same clothes and do all the same things. Then one day items start to show up in their house.
Then you realize that Gemma is a doll and the giant girl is a little girl and this is just a sweet little book about a doll having its own life and being taken out to briefly see the world.
She is shown the stars and the night sky but realizes she just wants to go back home with her parents. The pictures were very sweet colorful. The story flowed really well and I can see this being a child's favorite book especially because of the magic of the toys coming alive.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Then you realize that Gemma is a doll and the giant girl is a little girl and this is just a sweet little book about a doll having its own life and being taken out to briefly see the world.
She is shown the stars and the night sky but realizes she just wants to go back home with her parents. The pictures were very sweet colorful. The story flowed really well and I can see this being a child's favorite book especially because of the magic of the toys coming alive.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
March 15, 2021
An enchanting story about a little doll having the chance to experience life outside the dolls house with a little girl (who she viewed as the giant girl!) My daughter absolutely loved this book as she always imagines her dolls coming to life at nighttime and having adventures. This book has wonderful illustrations that really bring the story to life.
I was left wanting the story to continue and for the doll and the little girl to have more adventures together before she returned to the house. I would definitely recommend this book and I think it could be used to spark some lovely creative writing and imaginative discussions within a classroom too.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguun Random House Canada for providing me with this advance copy.
I was left wanting the story to continue and for the doll and the little girl to have more adventures together before she returned to the house. I would definitely recommend this book and I think it could be used to spark some lovely creative writing and imaginative discussions within a classroom too.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguun Random House Canada for providing me with this advance copy.
March 22, 2021
**I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions and words are mine, as always.**
What if what you’d always accepted was only a silver of what was possible? Gemma is a small girl who lives with her parents and has for years. Everything is the same for them all the time and everyone is mostly content because it’s just how things are, but Gemma wonders if she will ever grow older.
And then one day there is a giant girl outside their house who turns everything upside down, and Gemma’s days are never the same again.
Whether read metaphorically or literally, the story is short and sweet with imagination options waiting for the reader to extend the adventure on their own beyond the last page.
What if what you’d always accepted was only a silver of what was possible? Gemma is a small girl who lives with her parents and has for years. Everything is the same for them all the time and everyone is mostly content because it’s just how things are, but Gemma wonders if she will ever grow older.
And then one day there is a giant girl outside their house who turns everything upside down, and Gemma’s days are never the same again.
Whether read metaphorically or literally, the story is short and sweet with imagination options waiting for the reader to extend the adventure on their own beyond the last page.
September 14, 2021
An absolutely delightful book that is written in simple language even little children can understand and is just gorgeously illustrated. This book is perfect for young ones who are hesitant to try new things or go new places; it shows them that it can be fun to do new thing, but that it is absolutely okay to want to come back to what we know and love as well - it is the trying that is the lesson.
I loved this little book and highly recommend it to families with littles that are getting ready to try new things - it is just lovely.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sara O'Leary, Marie Lafrance [Illustrator] and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this little book and highly recommend it to families with littles that are getting ready to try new things - it is just lovely.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sara O'Leary, Marie Lafrance [Illustrator] and Penguin Random House Canada/Tundra Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2021
This book is a great starting point for discussing the big world with your kids and the value of knowing where you came from.
While reading this book, I was immediately reminded of Giants in the Sky from Into the Woods: “And you think of all the things you've seen, And you wish that you could live in between.”
This also has the tone of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Clearly, I find this theme inviting.
Such a sweet story with incredible illustrations.
A benefit of pictures books is discovering new artists. The work of the illustrator, Marie Lafrance, is gorgeous and adds to the wonderful experience of the story.
I definitely recommend this book for the art as well as the story!
Stars 4
Would I Recommend? Yes
While reading this book, I was immediately reminded of Giants in the Sky from Into the Woods: “And you think of all the things you've seen, And you wish that you could live in between.”
This also has the tone of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Clearly, I find this theme inviting.
Such a sweet story with incredible illustrations.
A benefit of pictures books is discovering new artists. The work of the illustrator, Marie Lafrance, is gorgeous and adds to the wonderful experience of the story.
I definitely recommend this book for the art as well as the story!
Stars 4
Would I Recommend? Yes
August 25, 2023
Oh my goodness.
The art in this book is gorgeous. i flipped back and forth several times marveling at it.
The author’s craft is beautiful and subtle. i had Suspicions and Inklings and Premonitions, each suggested with subtext that unfolded as i read.
And: “This is the world.” Oh my heart. Reader, i wept.
My picture book friend Ken assigned me this ages ago. i have had it checked out (and overdue) for two months now and need to return it. i wish i’d read it immediately so i could read it several more times before paying what i’m sure is the price of the book in fines. It’s so perfect. (And because i am also on a Good Omens kick… i… sort of saw Crowley in the giant girl, and in Gemma, Aziraphale.)
The art in this book is gorgeous. i flipped back and forth several times marveling at it.
The author’s craft is beautiful and subtle. i had Suspicions and Inklings and Premonitions, each suggested with subtext that unfolded as i read.
And: “This is the world.” Oh my heart. Reader, i wept.
My picture book friend Ken assigned me this ages ago. i have had it checked out (and overdue) for two months now and need to return it. i wish i’d read it immediately so i could read it several more times before paying what i’m sure is the price of the book in fines. It’s so perfect. (And because i am also on a Good Omens kick… i… sort of saw Crowley in the giant girl, and in Gemma, Aziraphale.)
November 13, 2023
Gemma lives in a small house and her life is contained within predictable routines, just living with her parents. The sort of strangely formal cast, almost Victorian cast to the artwork is a hint to what it is about: Gemma lives in a dollhouse--right, she and her parents are dolls--but her world is massively disrupted when someone--a girl--is given the dollhouse! That's when we begin to know. And then the girl dresses them in different costumes, she creates different routines, and takes Gemma out to see the world outside the confines of her dollhouse!
That's about it as a conceit, but it's a good one, with that little surprise, and an analogy to growing up and seeing more and more of the world as you grow. The artwork by Marie Lafrance is terrific
That's about it as a conceit, but it's a good one, with that little surprise, and an analogy to growing up and seeing more and more of the world as you grow. The artwork by Marie Lafrance is terrific
February 19, 2021
Gemma has lived in this same house for so long, worn the same clothes, and had the same experiences, but then one day brings change. Gemma wants to grow and experience new things. Will she still desire a change from the comfort of home when her world opens to a whole new "giant' change of scenery?
Thank you, NetGalley for sharing this creative picture book with me. As we have navigated a pandemic, lockdowns, and strings of days, weeks, months of monotony, understanding of Gemma's desires increase. I do believe when the world is open completely again, we will always yearn for home and the comfort and peace it should bring.
Thank you, NetGalley for sharing this creative picture book with me. As we have navigated a pandemic, lockdowns, and strings of days, weeks, months of monotony, understanding of Gemma's desires increase. I do believe when the world is open completely again, we will always yearn for home and the comfort and peace it should bring.
March 12, 2021
Gemma lives a cozy life with her mom and dad in the same house, with the same clothes, doing the same thing every day. This is because Gemma is a doll living in an unused dollhouse. Until one day, a new girl comes and opens up the dollhouse and shows Gemma how GIANT the world outside really is. This was a sweet story but I also felt like there was a lack of plot to it that, as other reviewers have mentioned, made it feel like something was missing.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
March 26, 2021
"Gemma lived in a very nice little house..." but one day her nice little life is turned upside down by a giant. Gemma's nice little house is shaken, new items appear, and then the giant brings Gemma into her own wide world before returning Gemma to her nice little house.
Though I wish the story had included more of Gemma's adventures with the giant, I believe many young children will enjoy being privy to the knowledge that Gemma is a dollhouse figure, an inference that has to be made by "reading" the illustrations, as the text does not state this explicitly. The illustrations are beautifully done, with a bit of a Victorian feel.
Though I wish the story had included more of Gemma's adventures with the giant, I believe many young children will enjoy being privy to the knowledge that Gemma is a dollhouse figure, an inference that has to be made by "reading" the illustrations, as the text does not state this explicitly. The illustrations are beautifully done, with a bit of a Victorian feel.
March 9, 2022
'Gemma and The Giant Girl' by Sara O'Leary with illustrations by Marie Lafrance is a picture book about a doll discovering the world is a lot bigger than she thought.
Gemma is a doll that lives in a forgotten doll house with her family until one day a giant girl finds the dollhouse and starts making changes. Gemma has a chance to see the world, but what will her reaction be?
I liked this gentle story about a little person who has to deal with some big changes. The illustrations are delightful.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Gemma is a doll that lives in a forgotten doll house with her family until one day a giant girl finds the dollhouse and starts making changes. Gemma has a chance to see the world, but what will her reaction be?
I liked this gentle story about a little person who has to deal with some big changes. The illustrations are delightful.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
May 30, 2022
Some of the artwork is very lovely—I like the soft pallets and the way Gemma is drawn especially. But some is weirdly flat like the spread with Gemma and her parents and the text “Things had been the same forever and ever.” Where it doesn’t even look like the mother is sitting on the couch. Although in the context of Gemma being a doll in a dollhouse maybe that makes more sense? Kind of a fun pairing with Toys Go Out or The Borrowers.
I like that Gemma’s mouse doll is her steadfast companion and the balance between dollhouse and giant house is done well. The story kind of fizzles at the end but not in a bad way per se. Just a quiet way.
I like that Gemma’s mouse doll is her steadfast companion and the balance between dollhouse and giant house is done well. The story kind of fizzles at the end but not in a bad way per se. Just a quiet way.
March 16, 2021
This is an adorable story about a girl who lives in the dollhouse with her family. Gemma and her family do the same things every day and there is a little bit of Gemma that is curious about what is outside her window. One day a giant girl comes and every day there is something new in the dollhouse leading to adventure for Gemma. This is a very nice story for children to read to help develop their imaginations. It reminds me a bit of stories I read when I was little such as The Borrowers. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 22, 2021
This unique picture book tells the story of a doll in a dollhouse who encounters a girl and the larger world outside her own. The premise is appealing, and the illustrations are nice, but I was hoping for more. The story ends somewhat abruptly, without a strong theme or satisfying conclusion. It's an interesting concept book, and kids will probably enjoy it, but it isn't something that especially gripped me, or that I would want to read repeatedly.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC! Lol I read this book to my boyfriend while we were waiting in line at the carwash. It was super quick and a cute little read about a girl doll who lives in a dollhouse with her parents and then a girl comes to play with them. The artwork was really interesting with the proportions of their heads haha. I loved the colours of the illustrations though, the pastels just gave it such a relaxing vibe. The message I got from this book was that there’s no place like home. This is a cute book to read to your child so go check it out 😊
February 28, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me an e-ARC of this for an honest review
I thought this was such a cute picture book by Sara O'Leary. I love the idea of this story in the point of view of a young doll and how she has a simple life, but then one day all things change when a giant girl starts to play with the doll and her home. This reminds me of a middle grade chapter book called The Doll People by Ann M. Martin. I also love the illustrations as well.
I thought this was such a cute picture book by Sara O'Leary. I love the idea of this story in the point of view of a young doll and how she has a simple life, but then one day all things change when a giant girl starts to play with the doll and her home. This reminds me of a middle grade chapter book called The Doll People by Ann M. Martin. I also love the illustrations as well.
May 2, 2021
Very cute short bedtime story with beautiful illustrations and an “Alice in Wonderland” feel. This is a great cute little book for kids who can read a sentence or two per page, and those who are listening and following alone with the pictures as it has capturing illustrations.
Thank your Penguin Random House Canada, for the preview. I will be recommending it to my friends and family with young readers.
Thank your Penguin Random House Canada, for the preview. I will be recommending it to my friends and family with young readers.
January 23, 2023
A sweet book, but it left me a bit unsatisfied. I liked the change in perspectives of the doll being the narrator and the girl being the giant. Sometimes changes can be exciting and fun. Lovely illustrations. But the story left me wanting more. It was a nice story, but not much memorable meat to stick to the soul. A big thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book ARC for an unbiased review.
February 19, 2021
Cute story, beautifully illustrated. The story of a dollhouse little girl doll and her small world in the dollhouse. She eventually experiences the larger world, but returns to her small world where she lives. I'm not quite sure what the point of this book would be for a child--perhaps to realize the different perspectives that we all bring to our lives.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews