Giant On The Shore

Gr 1-4–A giant approaches a small island city completely undetected. The narrator describes what might have unfolded had the giant come ashore—the jubilant celebrations, daring expeditions, and even his unlikely role as a bass player in the local orchestra. But all is pure conjecture, as in reality the giant turns and seemingly learning from the waves that come up on the beach then leave, also departs. In this allegorical tale exploring themes of loneliness and taking risks, the deeper message may elude young readers. The translated poetry skillfully uses line breaks and repetition to create a gentle rhythm. Thickly textured acrylic paintings and the use of symbols and shadows offer vital clues about the giant’s whereabouts. What will be hard for readers is determining which illustrations are reality and which are the imaginings of the narrator. Without this understanding, they will struggle to follow this elongated musing. For anyone unwilling to simply succumb to the lyrical writing and the images, the tale falls flat and will leave readers with more questions than answers.