Review by Booklist Review
In this allegory about conservation, man's destruction of the environment, and the consequences of one's actions, a giant lives in a huge forest a virtual paradise heavily populated with flora and fauna. Since giants are natural-born destroyers, he systematically levels the forest, scaring away all of the animals and creating an extremely barren landscape devoid of life. Without the company of any form of living being, the giant has a lonely existence until a songbird happens by. When the bird disappears, the giant, alone again, realizes the error of his ways and works to replenish the desecrated landscape in the hope that the bird and others will return. The forest thrives, many animals including the bird return, and the giant isn't lonely anymore. Softly colored acrylic, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations depict the giant as a big, not-unappealing bald guy. His rampages are downplayed, and most frames show his kinder, gentler side. Pleasant, to the point, and an easy way to get a conversation about some of life's issues underway.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2016 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Newcomer Ambrose's giant is prone to "pulling up trees as though they were weeds" and "smashing and mashing mountains," which leaves the forests bereft of wildlife. Yet he's actually a very pleasant fellow. He's nicely dressed, with a big bald head and mild features drawn in soft charcoal lines. He doesn't mean to ruin things-it's just his nature. When he finds one last little yellow bird singing, he cages her. "Now you can sing to me whenever I want," he tells her. A poignant series of panels shows the giant gazing into the cage through the bars; the bird is too sad to sing. He frees her, and he sees clearly for the first time: "I must fix what I've broken." He sows seeds and tends them and, over the years, trees and wildlife return. The allegory of ecological ruin won't be lost on children, and the scenes of the restored forest give the story hope. It places the blame for environmental destruction not on evildoers, but on thoughtless but basically good people who weren't really thinking as they smashed and mashed. Ages 4-8. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-When a giant's destructive behavior destroys the natural habitat of the forest animals, he finds himself alone, with only a caged yellow bird to keep him company. "Now you can sing to me whenever I want," he says. The sadness of the bird soon matches the sadness of the giant. Apologies are given and accepted, and after many years, the giant rebuilds not only his home but also the home of all the animals. Ambrose's barefooted giant resembles a tall, husky man. His clothes are neat, and he likes to drink tea and carve wooden animals. The acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations, which show how the giant uses his strength in a positive way to help others, reinforce the idea that when we are not aware of what we are doing, the consequences can be long-lasting. VERDICT It's wonderful to see the friendlier side of a giant character. A fun addition.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A little yellow bird helps a menace mend his destructive ways.In a cave at the top of a mountain in the middle of a forest lives a giant, depicted as a hulking, bald, white man in jeans and a pinstriped shirt. He spends all day pulling up trees, hurling logs, and smashing mountains. (Basically, what giants do.) After years of this, all the animals and birds have been scared away, and the once-large forest has become quite small. Without the song of the birds or wood to make a fire in his cave, the giant becomes very lonely. One day a little yellow bird appears, singing a beautiful song. The giant catches her and puts her in a cage, thinking this way hell be able to hear her singing all day long, easing his loneliness. But caged, the bird grows too sad to sing. The giant sets her free. Hoping to lure her back to the forest, the giant sets to work rebuilding it: he sows seeds, plants trees, and mends the mountains. In time, the forest blossoms with life again. The little yellow bird returns, and the giant is happy at last. Charmingly illustrated in acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil, Ambroses ecological fable speaks to the value of friendship as well. Adult readers wont have much trouble seeing the parable, and child readers, though they may not grasp the nuances, will get the message as well. Sweet and effective. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
