The Giants and the Joneses

by Julia Donaldson, Paul Hess (Illustrator)

Overview

Jumbeelia the young giantess loves to hear the old story about the iggly plop who climbed up the bimplestonk to the giants' land of Groil. Then, one day, she throws a bimple over the edge of Groil.

Down, down, down Jumbeelia climbs—right down into the land of the iggly plops, where she discovers Colette, Poppy, and Stephen Jones; puts them into her canvas bag; and carries them back to Groil.

Soon the children find themselves shut in her dollhouse, with no visible means of escape. With danger surrounding them at every turn, the children must use all their wits to survive and figure out a way to get back home. . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405207607
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	11/26/2024
Edition description:	Anniversary Edition edition
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.06(w) x 7.81(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Julia Donaldson has written some of the world's best-loved children's books, and was the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate. Her books include the modern classic The Gruffalo, the Princess Mirror-Belle series and Running on the Cracks, winner of the Nasen Inclusive Children's Book Award 2009. Julia also writes poems, songs and plays – and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.

Greg Swearingen is a graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design. He was awarded the Norman Rockwell at Stockbridge Award from the Society of Illustrators in 1998. He lives in Idaho.

Editorial Reviews

Jumbeelia the young giantess loves to hear the old story about the iggly plop who climbed up the bimplestonk to the giants' land of Groil. Then one day, she throws a bimple over the edge of Groil… With its wit, suspense, and invented words, this miniaturized adventure will delight young readers of Harry Potter.

In search of legendary "iggly plops," Jumbeelia climbs down the "bimplestonk" and finds a lawn mower, a sheep and three children whom she pops into her collector's bag and takes back to Groil, her giant's world in the clouds. As the kidnapped "iggly plops," Collette, Steven and baby Poppy, come to understand their predicament, from Jumbeelia's harmless first welcoming kiss and delicious French fry, and the eventual signs of growing neglect, their old careless relationship changes and becomes caring. Collette's deepening introspection and fear grows, as she recognizes in Jumbeelia and herself the symptom of a casual collector: boredom. The plot quickens when Zab, Jumbeelia's brother, takes control. No longer animated dollhouse toys, in Zab's grip, they are helpless play-action figures to be tortured, forcing the children to drastic action. An invented Giant language that may entice young readers to the back to decipher the English-sounding picturesque language-or may drive them away-makes coincidence and quick resolutions a little less irritating. This reverse Jack in the Beanstalk feels like-and will be-a children's movie. (Fiction. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews

An exciting story with a subtle message about respect and cooperation.” —School Library Journal

“Whether read aloud or alone, this British import has an effervescent sincerity that makes it both enjoyable and memorable.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“The Giants and the Joneses had humour, suspense and an invented language that enthralled me.” —The Evening Standard (London)

“Children will love this miniaturised adventure . . . it's set to be a giant hit.” —The Herald (England)

From the Publisher