THE PRINCESS AND THE GIANT
by Caryl Hart ; illustrated by Sarah Warburton
When a giant keeps the town awake at night with his loud stomping, Princess Sophie takes matters into her own hands.
Written in rhyme, Hart and Warburton’s latest princess book once again turns a classic fairy tale upside down (The Princess and the Presents, 2014, etc.). Princess Sophie refuses to believe that giants are “mean and bad”—even if the book of fairy tales says they are. She scales the magical beanstalk in the backyard in order to help the giant sleep so that she and her people can slumber peacefully, too. Inspired by old tales of gingerbread houses, three bears, and peas under mattresses, Sophie offers the giant several remedies. At first he rejects her help, but her persistent kindness wins him over. While each attempt brings the giant closer to a restful night, his cranky stomping continues. Can Sophie discover the final piece of the puzzle before the queen sends her troops after the giant? Once again the old fairy tales come to their rescue. In addition to her refreshing twist on “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Hart also reverses traditional gender roles: the king cooks, and the queen chops wood. Young readers may not notice, but adults will appreciate the shift. Warburton’s bright mixed-media artwork provides a playful stage for Sophie’s colossal adventure.
A clever fractured fairy tale that princes and princesses of all ages will enjoy.
(Picture book. 4-8)