When Giants Come to Play

by Andrea Beaty, Kevin Hawkes (Illustrator)

A whimsical story of imagination and friendship, illustrated by one of the most respected illustrators of our time.

In this beautifully written, lyrical text, a little girl named Anna enjoys a day with some unusual playmates, a pair of giants who visit only "when the sun shines just so and the wind blows like this and that on its way to somewhere else." The giants adapt familiar childhood games to suit their size, giving acclaimed illustrator Kevin Hawkes opportunities to play with scale, and the premise is the perfect platform for his quintessential, "larger-than-life" characters.

From Clifford, the Big Red Dog to Danny and the Dinosaur , the idea of a giant friend who helps you do things you couldn't do yourself is a classic, much-loved children's book theme. Humorous and a little wistful, When Giants Come to Play is a celebration of the power of imagination and friendship that could become a classic.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

For more information, visit my website (www.AndreaBeaty.com).

Also, visit www.Questioneers.com for posters, activities, educator resources, and other information about the Questioneer books.

Further, check out Story Time From Space to see Ada Twist and Rosie Revere read at the International Space Station by astronauts! It’s out of this world.

https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-tw...

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

There aren't a lot of children's books that I enjoy reading more than once. This is an exception. I always liked tiny things and tiny people when I was a child. Having the giants come to play makes everything else tiny. I like the story, the illustrations, and how this book sparks my imagination. I would like to read more by this author.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fantasy of a girl dreaming of giants during the summer months. The giants full in as friends. The illustrations are exceptional.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

On particularly special summer days, giants come to the farm to play with Anna. When they play hide and seek Anna hides in a pocket! There are all kinds of games that you can play with giants, and they seem to be very easy going compared to the giants that you read about in fairy tales. They are so much fun, and so laid back, that Anna hopes that they will stay and play forever.

This is a perfect story for those particularly special summer days when a giant might just show up! The entire story has an easy-breezy summer feel that is enhanced by the bright and commical illustrations. The incongruousness of ginormous friends is worth pondering on each and every page if a reader wants to see every bit of humor packed into the artwork. The book is very well done and readers of all ages will appreciate the mood and the message that friends are fun, no matter what their size!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me smiling all the way through. And I'm not sure why.

The illustrations were very, very nice. Not life-like, and not bold and bright. Just nicely drawn and expressive. The story was of a girl who had two friends who were giants (looked a bit like Laurel and Hardy) and what they did together when the giants came to play.

[Zach Rusnak · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Giants come to play is a enjoyable book. The illustrations were creative and sure to catch the eye of children. The illustrations alone are enough to spark the imagination of children. The book was a good representation of the way children look at their role models such as parents, older siblings, cousins, ect.

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming book about giants that come to play with Anna. They have mild and crazy adventures. Awesome illustrations.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 1 out of 5]

2* art
1* story

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clever, cute, but just a little too odd for my taste. I always struggle when reality meets fantasy. No fault of this book, but it does mean I don't like it as much as other readers probably will.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting fantasy story book. Kids will enjoy all the antics of the giants. Recommended for Grades 2-4.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun summer read or day dream inspiration.

[skcocnaH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best illustrative style for me. Also, it seemed a little creepy that a couple of grown men (even if they were giants) were spending so much time with one little girl.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A girl plays with giants?

[Jean Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun to play with giants!!

[Andi Martineau]

On a bright summer day with the wind blowing just so Anna has some large friends to play with, GIANTS! Anna and her friends play many different games from hide and seek to dolls (where Anna's sister is the doll) to racing cars. Anna enjoys spending the day with her giant friends. When they day is over Anna goes to bed hoping that the sun will be shining and the wind blowing just right the next morning as well.
The art is stylized using acrylics and charcoal. The artist uses humor in his pictures. Many of the games that Anna and her giant friends play are using the wrong materials for the games.
Many young students would enjoy reading this story and laughing at the way that giants like to play.

[Alyssa Teator · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: "When Giants Come to Play"
Author: Andrea Beaty
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes
Published: September 1st 2006 by Harry N. Abrams
Genre: Fairy Tale
This picture book accurately depicts the perspective of a child. A little girl named Anna meets a family of giants and has extraordinary adventures with them. They have fun together, play games together, and even have a tea party together. All the while Anna is enjoying her friendship with the giants, her mother and father can't quite seem to imagine the same things as she. This story is creatively written with the imagination, creativity, and curiosity of a child in mind.

[Lisa Skripps · Rating 4 out of 5]

In When Giants Come to Play, we are introduced to Anna, a fun-loving little girl who enjoys adventures and using her imagination. Anna’s best friends are two giants that come to play with her on warm summer days. Each page depicts a new game or activity that she loves to do with her enormous friends. From jumping rope while shaking the ground, to playing hide-and-go-seek, Anna has found two of the most memorable and best friends that a girl could have.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book will good to talk about what would happen of there was a real giant in the world. The students can write so many things. They can also talk about their imaginary friend if they have one. It can also be a good art lesson. The students can draw a picture that has been inspired with the phrases from the book.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. The wording is simple and fun and the book is just repetitive enough to be fun and memorable. The pictures are incredible and add so much to the story. The giants are hilarious and the pictures are creative and fun. I think the story is fun to read and peaks the imagination.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short story that was pure fun and didn't make much sense! Riley wanted books about giants last time we went to library, and this was certainly about giants! As many children stories do, it ends with a good-night, so it's a great bedtime story!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine the fun you can have when giants come to play. Anna even lets them win the race every now and then. And when they play dolls with Anna's sister, guess who's the doll! And when they play catch, guess what they're tossing.

A good example for students of how the pictures impact the story.

[Partridge Public]

Beaty, Andrea K-1st

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

My oldest son thinks this book is hilarious. He says, "More giants!" when he wants me to turn the page.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

anna has giants who come play with her. art by kevin hawkes of wicked toddlah.

[Ms. D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple story. It basically lists what the girl does when giants come to play. It's pure fun.

[Kristen Gurri · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Cicada Summer, I wanted to check out Andrea Beaty's picture books. Fun sweet bedtime read. The illustrations make the simple prose richer.

[Jade Saleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone is different. This is a great book to teach stduents about diversity and culture. It also teaches students that people who are different are alos fun and enjoyable people.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful read aloud. Great imaginative pictures.

[Kymberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute!! I loved the pictures!

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining idea of playing with giants.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very happy to find this favorite on sale today.