'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 14 December 2010

Review: The Christmas Giant

Humphrey the Giant and Leetree the little elf have a fabulous job. They make wrapping paper so Santa can wrap the world’s presents on Christmas Eve – how cool is that? The patterns and styles they make are exquisite, and the duo work so gorgeously as a team.

But when Christmastime is over, Leetree and Humphrey always become bored and sad. So one year, Santa gives them a special assignment – to grow the town’s Christmas tree.

Once again, this perfect team – big and little – work perfectly together. Little Leetree pulls the small weeds, big Humphrey trims the branches at the tippety-top of the tree, and very soon, their beautiful tree is ready for the town square.

Tired from all the hard work, the two friends take a quick nap – and the tree they worked so hard to grow mysteriously disappears! What will Humphrey and Leetree do without the town tree? Can you imagine how they come up with a replacement?

This is a truly stunning book. With a simple but utterly charming storyline, the illustrations, design and layout are just exquisite, as is the priceless friendship between these two very different beings.

Both adults and children will swoon over the illustrations – some of them delightfully wordless – and over a Christmas book that doesn’t always focus on Santa. A classic in the making.

Title: The Christmas Giant
Author/Illustrator: Steve Light
Publisher: Candlewick Press, A$29.95RRP
Publication Date: 1 September 2010
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9780763646929
For ages: 3 - 8
Type: Picture Book

This book is available online