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The Giant of Seville: A "Tall" Tale Based on a True Story
Based on the life of a real circus giant, Captain Martin Van Buren Bates!
Nothing exciting ever happens in the sleepy town of Seville, Ohio—until Captain Martin Van Buren Bates arrives. Standing seven feet and eleven and a half inches, Captain Bates is a giant who has toured around the world in the circus. In search of a quiet home for himself and his wife, (who is also a giant!) Captain Bates decides to get off the train in Seville, although he fears he will be too big for the little town. But Seville is full of surprises, and the giant is about to learn that the only thing that matters is the size of one’s heart.
A “tall” tale based on the true story of a real-life circus giant, The Giant of Seville is a heartwarming story of friendship and acceptance that will resonate with children. The book includes an author’s note and an archival photograph of Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and his wife, Anna Bates, Seville’s most famous residents.
Nothing exciting ever happens in the sleepy town of Seville, Ohio—until Captain Martin Van Buren Bates arrives. Standing seven feet and eleven and a half inches, Captain Bates is a giant who has toured around the world in the circus. In search of a quiet home for himself and his wife, (who is also a giant!) Captain Bates decides to get off the train in Seville, although he fears he will be too big for the little town. But Seville is full of surprises, and the giant is about to learn that the only thing that matters is the size of one’s heart.
A “tall” tale based on the true story of a real-life circus giant, The Giant of Seville is a heartwarming story of friendship and acceptance that will resonate with children. The book includes an author’s note and an archival photograph of Captain Martin Van Buren Bates and his wife, Anna Bates, Seville’s most famous residents.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 31, 2018
Based on the true story of Giants Martin Van Buren Bates, who was seven and 1/2 inches and is wife Anna Swan who was almost eight feet tale. After joining the circus, they decided to find a permanent home. They settled down in Seville, Ohio, built a house on 130 Acres of farmland. And, the rooms were 14 inches high with eight foot doors.
After staying in Seville, Ohio, they longed once again for the circus life and rejoined.
This is their story of the friendly folk of Seville, Ohio who welcomed Martin and his wife. The illustrations are delightful, and the tale is a good lesson to import on children that we should accept those who are different than we are.
Three Stars
After staying in Seville, Ohio, they longed once again for the circus life and rejoined.
This is their story of the friendly folk of Seville, Ohio who welcomed Martin and his wife. The illustrations are delightful, and the tale is a good lesson to import on children that we should accept those who are different than we are.
Three Stars
November 20, 2017
Genre: Biography
Grade Level: 2
What an interesting story. I didn't know if I believed this biography until I saw the pictures and read the information in the back of the book. I thought the illustrations and story were quite engaging. The plot is unique and educational because it is based on a true story. Overall I would recommend this book.
Grade Level: 2
What an interesting story. I didn't know if I believed this biography until I saw the pictures and read the information in the back of the book. I thought the illustrations and story were quite engaging. The plot is unique and educational because it is based on a true story. Overall I would recommend this book.
September 15, 2021
Yes, it is indeed a TALL tale about a giant human who needs to find a town to accommodate his needs, which is not as easy as it sounds! Whether it is eating hundreds of pancakes or sleeping with his feet out the window to fit in the room, this town is not about to give up on this tall man and his tall wife that is about to join him. Read the end page for the true story!
March 23, 2021
Enjoyable tall tale based on a true story about the world's tallest married couple. I read it aloud to my 5 y.o. son who was laughing and enthralled in the book. He wanted to know if the people were really that tall!!? I'd recommend and I'd read it again.
July 3, 2017
My mother Donna grew up in this town and often told me this tale!
August 22, 2018
Magical illustrations and a fun storyline! "Giants" don't have to be the scary folk of fairy tales.
May 9, 2019
I was thinking Seville in Spain, not Seville in Ohio. Cute story about a former circus performer looking for a place to settle down.
May 8, 2023
The sweetest story about a town and a giant based on a real story. I enjoyed reading it and it left me wanting to know more about this couple!
November 21, 2019
very interesting story
with wonderful artwork
with wonderful artwork
July 18, 2012
Publication: 2007
Grade/Age: Ages 4-8
Annotation: In this “tall” tale based on a true story, readers are introduced to Captain Bates, a giant of a man who was nearly eight feet tall. Captain Bates comes to Seville, Ohio, looking for a home. The townspeople go to great lengths to try to convince him that their little town is where Captain Bates and his equally tall wife belong.
Themes: Cooperation, accepting diversity, friendship
Ways to use the book:
Pair children and have them measure one another’s heights. Make a graph of the students’ heights. Ask each child to estimate approximately how many of them it would take to reach the height of the giants in the book.
The residents of Seville go out of their way to welcome Captain Bates into their community. Ask the children to tell about a time someone did something nice for them or a time when they did something nice for someone else. Then, have each child write his/her story on a giant paper heart for display.
Have the children design and create their own top hats using construction paper and other art supplies.
Have the children write their own tall tale.
Grade/Age: Ages 4-8
Annotation: In this “tall” tale based on a true story, readers are introduced to Captain Bates, a giant of a man who was nearly eight feet tall. Captain Bates comes to Seville, Ohio, looking for a home. The townspeople go to great lengths to try to convince him that their little town is where Captain Bates and his equally tall wife belong.
Themes: Cooperation, accepting diversity, friendship
Ways to use the book:
Pair children and have them measure one another’s heights. Make a graph of the students’ heights. Ask each child to estimate approximately how many of them it would take to reach the height of the giants in the book.
The residents of Seville go out of their way to welcome Captain Bates into their community. Ask the children to tell about a time someone did something nice for them or a time when they did something nice for someone else. Then, have each child write his/her story on a giant paper heart for display.
Have the children design and create their own top hats using construction paper and other art supplies.
Have the children write their own tall tale.
February 21, 2015
Martin grew to be 7″11′ and 525 pounds and his wife, from what I found, was even taller. When they decided to retire from the circus, Martin took the train (a big fave with Gage) to find a new home for the super-sized couple and he found a welcoming town in northern Ohio. I loved this story about the man who did not fit social norms but was accepted anyway. The illustrations and quality of the book are top-notch. Some of the language might be challenging for younger kids but I think that’s a good thing. This is a great tall tale from a small town in my great state :)
there's a little more on my blog https://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/20...
there's a little more on my blog https://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/20...
September 9, 2014
This is based on a true story. The story was complex and in-depth and engaging. I really enjoyed the cross hatched illustrations I thought that they were quite well done and beautiful. The story was definitely a piece of historical fiction I think a lot of vocabulary would have to be taught either prior prior to the lesson or after or during the lesson there's a lot of antiquated items and activities.
July 30, 2014
Neat tall tale based on the true story of a nearly eight foot tall man. The accompanying author's note is really interesting. I would love to talk to kids about why the author chose to tell a true story through a tall tale style. What's that emphasize? What's the message about the town and about acceptance?
October 16, 2010
The book is realistic fiction! It's based on a true story of a man half an inch short of 8 feet. It's about how he came to find a place to settle down with his wife. Great illustrations and great themes like community and belonging and compassion. I really enjoyed this book!
June 21, 2011
This quirky biography and true tall tale is about Martin Van Buren Bates, born in 1845. After serving in the Civil War, he joined the circus at almost 8 feet tall. He married Anna Swan, also almost 8 feet tall! They became history's tallest known married couple and settled in Seville, OH.
September 26, 2007
Illustrations are ok. Topic is interesting.
March 12, 2011
This is one of my favorite, quick reading juvenile biographies!
August 20, 2010
Brings in the difficulties of "otherness", helping people understand inclusion and adaptive helps. Try for nursing home story time.
May 26, 2011
A very sweet book. I wonder if the house is still standing? I want to know more about this giant of a Confederate soldier!
April 21, 2012
An interesting story of a giant born in the 1860s. Pair this with Stand Straight, Ella Kate by Kate Klise and Sara M. Klise. Would be a good biography for kindergarten.
September 20, 2012
Interesting biography about a giant man who found acceptance in a small town.
November 8, 2012
Such an awesome story! Be sure to read the author's note at the end!
December 20, 2014
My students were really engaged with this story. They asked a lot of questions and were eager to find out more about Martin Van Buren Bates. Great story and wonderful illustrations.
November 11, 2015
Fun to see the photos of this real man and his wife in the back of the book. Aptly named "a tall tale based on a true story."
September 4, 2016
a true "tall" tale of a man and wife who searched for and found acceptance in a small town in ohio. great acceptance story. fabulous illustrations!
March 25, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews