Book Review – Jellybeans for Giants

13th June 2018

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By Emma Davis

Authors: Adam & Charlotte Guillain
Illustrator: Lee Wildish
Published by Egmont

Jellybeans for Giants is a genius take on the classic Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale. In this fabulous retelling, George is our hero and, deciding that giants must really exist, plants jellybeans to grow a beanstalk. The excitement of this book grows from the very first page – what will be up the beanstalk? Will there really be a giant? George and his dog, Trixie, waste no time in finding out.

Children will adore the silly characters that George meets on the way. A troll, pixie and spider all play a part in helping him to the top of the beanstalk. The troll in particular is my favourite – the illustrator’s imagination and how this is depicted on the page is incredible. The bright, bold pictures bring the text to life and offer plenty for children to spot on each page.

As the pages turn, the excitement builds…where is the giant?! He soon appears, swooping down to pick up George and Trixie and contemplates eating them for a snack. Luckily George has other ideas and tempts the giant with a pod growing on the beanstalk. What could be inside? Jellybeans of course!

Jellybeans for Giants has it all. Rhyming text, colourful illustrations leaping off each page, fantastically thought out characters and a happy ending. The similarities with the traditional tale act as talking points, bringing an extra dimension to this charming story. It’s a pleasure to read aloud to children with plenty of opportunity to put on different voices for characters and spaces to pause to allow children to complete the rhyme at the end of a sentence. The silly humour and flowing text make this an engaging book which is sure to have children saying “again, again” at the end.

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