The Green Giant

Bea is leaving the city to visit her grandfather who lives in the country. He loves to work in his garden whereas she love to do nothing. When Iris, her sausage dog, chases a cat over the fence into next door’s garden, she follows and finds an overgrown wilderness. There she discovers an old greenhouse…and a giant made entirely from plants! The Green Giant explains how he had to leave the city, opening Bea’s eyes to the magic and wonder of nature. When she leaves to return home to the city, the giant gives her a present which helps transform the grey city in which she lives.

A lovely story offering an important message about the wonder of green spaces and the magic of planting seeds and watching them grow, ‘The Green Giant’ is a fabulous book for sharing and promoting discussion. The Green Giant is reminiscent of the Green Man, often a symbol associated with rebirth on churches and that is what he longs for- a magical place where everything can grow.

The illustrations are lovely, showing Bea come to love nature and awakening her love of the outdoors and all it offers. ‘Guerrilla gardening’ is on the increase as people come to understand the importance greenery has on people’s well being as well as the environment. The colours are bright and vivid, grabbing attention and emphasising the contrast between the grey of the city and the beauty of nature.

The Green Giant

Katie Cottle

Pavilion ISBN: 978-1843654001

The Blue Giant

Meera and her mother are enjoying a day on the beach when a blue giant rises from the water and asks for their help. It takes them on a journey beneath the waves and shows them all the rubbish that has gathered there. Meesha and her mum swim into action and start to clean up, but there is so much to do. But they find that each act of kindness inspires someone else to action and soon everybody is working together to clean up.

This beautiful story gently introduces children to the compelling issue of rubbish in our seas. The Blue Giant brings the environment to life, making a direct appeal from the ocean to the reader to take action. Meera and her mother help the creatures ‘one by one’ as they clean up, showing what a huge task this is- and yet how things can be achieved if tackled one step at a time. It also inspires collective action with Meera’s actions leading to others joining in and following her example.

With its lovely illustrations, ‘The Blue Giant’ is perfect for using in school. Sea collages and beach scenes, creating their own ‘Blue Giants’, sand sculptures and sea creatures- so much art work could be generated from this book. It also offers an excellent starting point for discussions about pollution and steps that can be taken to solve the issue- perhaps starting with a beach clean if you live near the sea- or a playground tidy if not. There are suggestions for reducing the usage of single use plastics - action that can be taken immediately!

‘The Blue Giant’ is a delightful story full of lovely illustrations which is the perfect follow-up to Katie’s first book, ‘The Green Giant’.

The Blue Giant

Katie Cottle

Pavilion ISBN: 978-18436513