Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins
| Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: An enjoyable tale of a little girl who's lost her faith in magic. Ross Collins' illustrations are a joy to pore over as the adventure evolves behind her back. Well worth a look. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: September 2010 |
| Publisher: Hodder Children's Books | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0340960004 | |
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A little girl has stopped believing in giants. She ain't never seen no fairy neither, nor mermaids, witches or trolls. As she wanders around the world decrying the lack of magic, strange things seem to happen around her, until she discovers just where the magic lurks.
There's lots to enjoy in Where Giants Hide. Mij Kelly has a lovely turn of phrase, there's a gently unfolding plot, interesting ideas, and the rhymes trip softly off the tongue. It reads beautifully and will strike a chord with young book fans. It's simple and short enough to be understood by little 'uns, but is sophisticated enough that they'll still enjoy it as they get a little older too. The whole he's behind you aspect to it will also provide plenty of giggles.
Ross Collins' illustrations are excellent. They have a modern freshness - think a picture book produced by a graphic novelist - and lots of energy. The red, teal and yellow colour palette is very striking and works brilliantly without feeling forced. As more and more craziness is going on behind the little girl's back, he really lets his hair down. The pages are a delight to pore over, as the contrast between text and pictures becomes more and more apparent. On the first reading, they can seem a little too busy, but on subsequent readings, there's more and more to discover. If being ultra-picky, the words and pictures aren't entirely in step just before the conclusion, which takes a little of the edge off it, but it's both understandable and forgiveable.
If you love magic, adventure and humour (and who doesn't?) then you'll have a super time with Where Giants Hide. Well worth a look.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
Jumpy Jack and Googily by Meg Rosoff and Sophie Blackall strikes a similar he's behind you tone, and is hilarious to boot. Instructions by Neil Gaiman is a set of rules for dealing with fantasy adventures. Monsters abound in Have You Ever Seen A Sneep? by Tasha Pym and Joel Stewart.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Where Giants Hide by Mij Kelly and Ross Collins at Amazon.com.
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