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Find out what Mumsnetters thought of children's book Giant by Kate Scott

61 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 13/02/2017 16:28

Introducing Giant - a feel-good children's book about growing up and being yourself. We gave away 50 copies of the book to find out what Mumsnetters thought.

It's hard to measure up in a family with high expectations. But it's even harder when those people sometimes use you as an arm rest.

Anzo is 11 years old and very, very short. His family are all extremely tall but they're also high achievers, obsessed with fulfilling their lifelong ambition of opening a restaurant together. Everyone seems to have a role – chef, DIY, marketing, accounts – but Anzo's not sure where he fits in. Then, one night he starts to grow - but is life as a giant going to solve all his problems?

We ask all Giant book giveaway winners to share their child's thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. Everyone who gives detailed feedback by midday, Wednesday 5 April will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher:

This giveaway is sponsored by Piccadilly Press

Book giveaways T&Cs apply

Find out what Mumsnetters thought of children's book Giant by Kate Scott
OP posts:
Belo · 05/03/2017 13:00

My 11 year old daughter raced through this book and read it in a couple of sittings. Here are her views:

The book was an easy read. It was relatable for small people except from the fact that you don't grow magically like that. Perhaps the book was for children slightly younger than me. However I still enjoyed it. In some bits of the book I felt bad for Anzo though, the main character, because of his family and the way people at school treated him. But I felt happy that he had such a good best friend. It was a happy ending in the end but it was kind of predictable about what they would call the restaurant and that Elsie would invite the parents behind Anzo's back and that Anzo would win the competition.

Belo · 05/03/2017 13:04

PS. In my daughters excitement to put down her views, I forgot to say thank you for the book mumsnet!

TellMeItsNotTrue · 05/03/2017 13:07

I was lucky enough to be chosen to review this book, which saved me a few £s because after reading about it through MN I had to have it so would have bought it if I hadn't been chosen to review. I will be back to review once we have finished it

sophiefx · 05/03/2017 15:48

A great light-hearted book and easy to read, very quick and to the point and gives some good messages to kids. Overall my daughter and I loved this book and I'm sure she will get me to reread this at bedtime in a short while. It is about a boy called Anzo who's problem is that he is far too short! His ambition/dream in life is to be tall as he thinks this will make him happier, he manages to fulfil this dream in the book and you follow his story. Very positive.

Anj123 · 07/03/2017 17:59

My 12 year old daughter has just finished and enjoyed reading this book. She thought it was written how an 11 year old would think, and said it made her appreciate what she has, including her family! She has suggested I read the book now so I plan to. Thanks for letting us be part of this!

SuzCG · 09/03/2017 09:46

Thank you Mumsnet for my copy of this book.

OMG, I loved this book! Can't wait to give it to my 10 year old now that I've finished vetting it. I so felt for Anzo, struggling to understand where his place in the world is and why no one seems to notice him, whether he is short or tall, where he just seems to swap one set of issues & worries for another. It covers subjects relevant to lots of children as they are growing up, loneliness, the encouragement of friends and strength to believe in ourselves and make our dreams come true. A really powerful message within it if you want to look that deeply - who we are inside is what really, really matters! A touching and brilliant book in my opinion - 5/5.

I think my son will really relate to this as often he doesn't feel he fits in at school cause he's not sporty and therefore cool & popular. I hope he will take from this that we are all special in our own way and must celebrate our uniqueness.

cathisherwood · 12/03/2017 09:34

This book holds a message for everyone however old you are - feeling as though you don't fit in affects us at any age. It is great that Anzo has such a good friend who does listen to him and things improve with his family. I hope all those busy parents out there get a chance to read and reflect too.
The children enjoyed the book because they found it funny that he was so small to start with and then got so tall - had to put up with constant chanting for a bit as they decided to try out making themselves taller as Anzo did!

vonniebab2 · 13/03/2017 08:14

A very inspirational exciting book sensitively written

angiehoggett · 16/03/2017 16:44

wow the kids loved it and couldn't wait for me to read more to them!

lifes4living · 17/03/2017 16:20

I read Kate Scott's book Giant with my 9 year old granddaughter. It tells of a boy called Anzo (in ancient German his name means giant ) but in fact he is small and very unhappy about this. The book revolves around his school and homelife, his struggle and how he comes to see himself. We found the book opened up so many questions from the 'name calling' to the different 'awareness' of teachers and parents. Our favourite character was Elise, Anzo's best friend who listens to him, gave help and taught him about positive thinking. She encouraged him to follow his passion for cartoon drawing---we all need an Elise. The book is told with humour so it is not heavy going. Adults can learn much from this book. Listen to your children, be aware and have time for them. From my granddaughter's view reading this book, I found it reinforced her values and beliefs and accepting one another's differences strengthened.

ozgirl74 · 20/03/2017 14:18

What a lovely book to help kids who aren't so confident and feel different to others. Brilliant!

Sarah3kids · 21/03/2017 16:53

Thank you for our copy. Have just finished reading this with my 8 year old. It was a humorous read with a serious message behind it. The language of the book was not patronising.

It is often difficult to get the balance right with children books - they are either to complex or to babylike - but this was great and very relatable. There were many words that my child didn't know or used (but didn't understand) in the book - which led to some great discussions. Having read this book together - I know that my child will be re-reading this book over and over.

Great for kids to get an insight to how others feel - or if you are the one that's "different" - to know that life works itself out x (eventually) x

Rajie · 25/03/2017 16:20

Not received a copy yet - but have heard that it is quite an interesting book with a lovely message.

LJBLJBLJB · 28/03/2017 21:57

Finished reading this with my son. Good story about a boy with little confidence who follows his dream to do what he loves and finds his inner voice. We found the general message good but slightly unrealistic that a boy of Anzo's age would and could get onto a conference miles from home!

rocketriffs · 01/04/2017 12:00

My 7 yr old boy loved Giant and I did too. The story of Anzo, a small boy who's Dad and Uncle are both very tall. Because of his small size, his teacher calls him Peanut and he is teased by his school mates. He wants to be tall and then suddenly overnight, he grows.
So many funny bits and laugh out loud moments. A fun read with great illustrations.

user1472646069 · 02/04/2017 09:49

This is a fun read with a very serious message on how to accept and be yourself.great read for the children.

katieskatie82 · 02/04/2017 18:37

defiantly something my son would love to read

hayleyjturner78 · 02/04/2017 18:46

Really good book my 13 year old loved it

cocochips · 02/04/2017 20:25

My little one loves the characters and is enjoying it very much.

Dessallara · 02/04/2017 21:14

My cousin loved it!

molly57 · 02/04/2017 21:25

Sounds a great read.

Jocelynne123 · 02/04/2017 23:20

I think this a brilliant book to help children with insecurities. My best friend has it for her son and I read it to him whilst I was babysitting. He is a tall athletic boy and didn't understand why some boys would be upset about being small because he hadn't experienced it. This book helped him realise that some children are bothered by height or are naturally quiet and that they need a good friend to help them be more confident. I thought it was well written for the age group, the humour was good and it delivered the message well. Xx

clarabella12 · 03/04/2017 04:58

my 10 year old loved this book, felt he was able to relate.

Celama · 03/04/2017 08:44

I thought this was a lovely book that encouraged children to believe in themselves whilst delivering an enjoyable and humorous storyline. My children enjoyed it and both thought Elise was someone to be admired. I was also reminded by them that adults, including myself, can appear dismissive of their concerns or achievements without meaning to just as is conveyed in the storyline so that aspect hit home. A very good book for an age group that can struggle with insecurity.

tishist · 03/04/2017 11:35

I hadn't heard of this, but may consider it, sounds great

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