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The Smartest Giant 15th Anniversary Edition

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A new, limited edition of the modern classic The Smartest Giant in Town . George wished he wasn't the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it's time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Now he's the smartest giant in town... until he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help - and his clothes! Join George on his journey in this special anniversary edition. Children will love this funny and big-hearted tale from the unparalleled picture-book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo . The Smartest Giant in Town 15th Anniversary Edition comes complete with early never-before-seen drawings from Axel's sketchbook, a letter from Julia detailing where George the Giant and his story came from, and a shiny foiled cover. An absolute must for all The Smartest Giant in Town fans!

ISBN: 9781509830473
Pub Date: 22nd December 2016
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 36

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beardy217 Adult 88 book reviews

13th February '17

I read it to beardy aged 3 aged 3

This book was truly amazing to read with my 3 year old son :)
We both really enjoyed the story and has become a big favourite already :)
I like the way sin can hold the book so easily and turn the pages whilst I do the reading of story.
Would highly recommend and already thinking would make a great gift idea.

Butterflytails Adult 22 book reviews

19th April '17

I read it to FreyaJ aged 3 aged 3

This is a book about sharing and giving. I read it to my four year old granddaughter and she really loved the pictures. The story is great. The giant wanted to look his very best so he bought some new clothes. Along the way, he ran into some friends who needed his help. He helped them at the expense of his new purchases. The message in this story is one that we should teach our children about the joys of helping others. We loved the story and the illustrations and the moral message that the book portrays is one that is simple to understand but really makes an impression on younger children. Definitely a book to read with an adult.

ThisBookMummy Adult 37 book reviews

13th March '17

I read it to Kikki aged 5 aged 5

GIANT LAUGHS
One of those well-known books we had somehow missed and now very happy to add to our home library, already a favourite! Celebrating 15 years, this classic children's story brought on the biggest guffaws from our little one, who on every read now, just can't wait to get to the 'pants' punchline, pure comedy. Her best bits are "how kind the giant is, how he helps everyone, and how his trousers fall down!" Lots of fun, sweet and lovely, and expect giant-size roars with laughter, a total gem.

Lottietiger Adult 19 book reviews

9th February '17

I read it to Bertie aged 4 aged 4

We loved this book. A really heartwarming story about friendship and sharing. My son loved the fact it was a giant and we talked about people being different. We enjoyed reading the poems in each section as we went along. Recommended

Annimousey Adult 31 book reviews

9th February '17

I read it to DexterLogan aged 4 aged 4 & to MiloPercy aged 2 aged 2

This is such a fantastic book! It follows the story of a giant who is the 'scruffiest' giant in town and who wants to be smart so he buys some smart clothes. He then meets various characters in need in his travels and he helps them with the clothes he has bought.

This is a beautiful story with a beautiful moral - it's not what you look like that matters, but how kind your heart is.

My 4 year old has wanted me to read this book solidly since we got it, and it's a book that I don't mind reading over and over as it's such a charming story.

modzy78 Adult 62 book reviews

9th February '17

I read it to dani aged 4 aged 4 & to Nursery 2 aged 1 to 3

I've read this book to children at nursery and was looking forward to my daughter's reaction to it. She really enjoyed it and especially liked the mouse. I love how this story encourages generosity over appearance. In today's world, this message really resonates. The giant decides to buy a smart outfit to replace his tattered gown. But when encountering animals in need, he gives up articles of clothing until he is left with nearly nothing. But he's happy to return to his gown and makes new friends. This book has Axel Scheffler's classic illustration style. The text is a bit different from most of Julia Donaldson's collaborations. It does have a rhyming refrain that's added to throughout the story. However, most of the text does not rhyme. So this story might suit slightly older children than many of her works. I've noticed that 1 and younger 2 year old children find it harder to maintain attention for this book compared to her other works. But it's really good for 3 and 4 year old children, and I assume for older ones.
As an anniversary edition, the inside covers contained concept sketches, and the front page was a text about the creation of the story. It's a fun little addition for parents and older children that gives a glimpse into the creators' world. I think it would really encourage young writers and artists. It's nice for them to see that even the pros don't get it perfect the first time. In all, I'd highly recommend this book for preschoolers and beyond.

pipsmum84 Adult 42 book reviews

16th February '17

I read it to Pip aged 1 aged 1

Lovely book, really enjoyed reading this to my 19 month old daughter. We love Julia Donaldson books and this one didn't disappoint, with a lovely underlying message about kindness. I think this will become a bedtime story favourite.

Janine Adult 88 book reviews

10th February '17

I read it to Arya aged 3 aged 3

Can Julia Donaldson do any wrong ? We really enjoyed this beautiful story about a kind giant who shared all of his new clothes with the animals in his town. It has a great little song that the giant sings everytime he gives another item of his clothes away; which my daughter loved joiningredients in. It has a lovely message that sharing makes everyone happy and can bring rewards. Fantastic illustrations and lots to see and look for especially as it's anot anniversary book it shows you how the illustrations have developed over the years. A wonderful story for all children's book shelves.

slt4 Adult 9 book reviews

18th February '17

I read it to Jlt6 aged 4 aged 4 & to Cjt9 aged 1 aged 1

My 4 year old daughter loved this book and finding out about how it was written and illustrated. It is a lovely story about sharing and kindness which is really heartwarming. My 1 year old also loved the pictures and looking at the giant in all his different clothes. Highly recommended.

kayz197 Adult 85 book reviews

25th February '17

I read it to ZMDA aged 4 aged 4

The message of this story is a very good one. The giant gives everything he has away to other people to help them or make them happy even though it leaves him without.
The pictures are very detailed and great to look at.

FamStephens Adult 65 book reviews

12th February '17

I read it to Christopher_Thor aged 5 aged 5 , to Adam_Barry aged 4 aged 4 & to Anneliisa aged 2 aged 2

Another brilliant book by Julia Donaldson with familiar illustration by Axel Scheffler. This one has a lovely story of kindness, friendship and giving without wanting something in return. All our 3 children sat nicely and listened to me reading the book and our eldest (soon to be 6) also gave a very good go and reading it all on his own.
Definitely recommend getting a copy :)

Mommas3cubs Adult 85 book reviews

16th January '17

I read it to Pickle2010 aged 6 aged 6 , to Turbo aged 5 aged 5 & to Doodles aged 1 aged 1

The story is charming and funny with the lovely style of Julia Donaldson, teaches children about kindness. perfect for little ones to listen to and slightly older ones to start reading for themselves.

DD Adult 19 book reviews

16th February '17

I read it to Brooke aged 4 aged 4

I read this book to my niece and we both really enjoyed it.

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About Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson Biography

Julia Donaldson is a highly talented author of some of the best-loved children’s books in the world. Born in London in 1948 she grew up with her younger sister Mary who she loved to create imaginary characters with.

She started her career as a singer-songwriter, writing mainly for children’s television. One of these...

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BOOKS BY Julia Donaldson

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BOOKS BY Axel Scheffler

About Axel Scheffler

Axel Scheffler Biography

Axel Scheffler is an acclaimed illustrator, animator and more recently author of children's books. He was born in Hamburg in 1957 and moved to England in 1982 in order to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art. He then worked for a variet...

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BOOKS BY Axel Scheffler

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The Smartest Giant 15th Anniversary Edition