PPBF: The Giant King (& Giveaway)

It's another PPBF at Susanna Hill's blog and I've got another
 picture perfect choice for you!

photo of the Giant King book cover
Title: The Giant King
Author: Kathleen T. Pelley
Illustrator: Maurie J. Manning
Publisher: Child & Family Press
Date: 2003
Fiction
Suitable for ages: 6 and up
Themes: kindness, dignity
Brief Synopsis: A carpenter's son, who carves "not what is, but what could be," suggests that the townspeople treat the Giant (whom they're afraid of) like a King rather than like a beast so that he'll behave like one. 
Opening Page: Long ago in Scotland, there once lived a carpenter's son called Rabbie. Every day, Rabbie worked alongside his father, learning how to make tables and chests and cradles that rocked as smooth and gentle as a summer's breeze.

Resources: Visit the author's page {here}
Want to make Kindness Crowns? Download the Educator's Guide{here}
Learn about Global Dignity Day {here}

Why I like this book: I just love it when the problem in a book is solved by a child because it's incredibly empowering for children to know that they've got a voice and someone is listening. Plus, there's SO much enrichment and extension in this character jewel! 

How I would use it: Find out from students what students think the word dignity means. Then look it up in a dictionary.


Dignity: The state of quality of being worthy of honor or respect

In this tale, a Giant is terrorizing a town until young Rabbie suggests that the Giant acts like a monster because they treat him like one. Though the people scoff and sneer at his intriguing idea that just might change things for the better, the King orders his people to do what the wise young boy says. And guess what?
 
"That which is loved will reveal its loveliness . . . "

Consider The Law of Attraction. According to Wikipedia: The law of attraction is essentially a belief or theory that "like attracts like" and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results. Apply the Law of Attraction to the Giant. He was banished by the townspeople because he was scary to them. Rabbie simply surmised that if they were to treat him like royalty instead of like something repulsive, then the Giant would act more Kingly.

Discuss the book with your students. Brainstorm which of their actions are worthy of honor or respect and show dignity. Contrast those with behaviors that are not. Encourage them to give concrete examples of how dignity looks, sounds, and feels at school, in the bathroom, at recess, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, at their house. Document their examples on an anchor chart like this:


dignity tree map
  
Bonus Giveaway:  Author Kathleen T. Pelley (whom I'm blessed to have become friends with) has kindly agreed to give a copy of The Giant King and its award-winning audio CD to two lucky readers. Just leave your thoughts about this book and your email address between now and Sunday (Ocotber 28) at 10 am central for your chance to win. We will randomly select two names from the royal reflections we receive.

Congrats to Jenny and Delighted! 

Oops - I was thinking the 21st but wrote the 28th. Since I had the wrong date, I am opening this contest back up and will give ONE more copy away. Feel free to continue to comment all week and I'll draw another name from all the comments (minus the two who've already won) next Sunday. Thanks, Patient Dreamer, for catching the error and helping me make it right!

NOW this giveaway is officially closed; congratulations to Susanna, who has a copy of this treasure coming her way as well.

  

28 comments

  1. Thanks for sharing this book. I have not seen it. Looks like a real winner for teaching kindness and dignity--two abstract things that kids sometimes struggle with.

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    1. Oh, Jo - you are correct; it's a tangible way to teach an abstract concept! Thanks for stopping by the Corner!

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  2. Oh - I MUST get this for my children's group. I love the quote 'that which is loved will reveal its loveliness.' I have missed this book before. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hey Laura Anne - Yes, that quote resonates with me, too. Maybe you'll win a copy . . .

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  3. What a moving review of what sounds to be a powerful book. I've just come from reading Pat's review of "When Amelia Smiled" and this continues the theme so perfectly. I must read this book! Thank you, Barbara. (I prefer not to leave my email address in comments, although I would have loved a chance to win a copy of this wonderful-sounding book. There is a contact form on my website, which is linked in my name, if that's any help...)

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    1. Beth, I appreciate your kind affirmations and will gladly track you down if your name gets drawn! You will LOVE this masterpiece.

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  4. Oh, I really like this book a lot! Great message. And, I like your suggested activities. This does sound empowering. We both selected books about kindness today.

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    1. Hi Pat, and thanks for dropping by. Kindness is a wonderful theme for a mid-October day (and every other day of the year for that matter!). I can't WAIT to read all about Amelia, too.

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  5. This looks like a wonderful book to add to my library. I'm always looking for books that have themes of kindness, peacemaking and having the desire to belong. Thanks for this opportunity!

    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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    1. Oh Delighted, you are correct that this book is wonderful. My fingers are crossed that a copy could come your way!

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  6. Children can always teach us (adults) something if we just listen to them. What a great book that teaches dignity, respect and a self-fulfilled prophecy. I would love to have this book to add to my counseling collection. I am an elementary teacher at heart and had to take a high school counseling position to get to my ultimate goal. Now, I have reached that goal by obtaining an elementary school counseling position. I know this literature would be a great gift to us with the students. Bless you always!

    jrmorris929@aol.com

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    1. Welcome to the BEST job in the world! WE have a connection since I, too, started in a HS and worked my way here. I hope that you'll be able to find some helpful resources here; thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Just had the opportunity to meet Kathleen Pelley at the conference I recently attended; she read all the First Pages of PB mss in one of the breakout sessions - a real treat!

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    1. Yes, Julie - she told me that she'd met someone who had heard about Raj from PPBF; such a small world. Don't you AdOrE her accent? Thanks for stopping by the Corner.

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  8. This book looks wonderful, Barbara. I really love that... "That which is loved will reveal its loveliness..." Isn't that so true? Great message, and great activities. Thanks so much for adding this title to our list! :)

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    1. Yes, Susanna, that phrase has played over and over again in my head today. What we focus on, we get more of, right? Thanks for your kind reflections.

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  9. This looks like a really beautiful book! The cover alone tells so much! I, too, like stories where children are the heroes. Children are naturally such heroic creatures! Thanks for sharing this one. I will be checking it out!

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    1. Hey Janet - you're right about the cover. So often we neglect to recognize the illustrators and Maurice Manning does a superb job of bringing this story to life!

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  10. Picture books open the doors to such great conversations about the life skills that even the littlest of people need. Thanks for sharing another one.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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    1. I haven't used it yet with my littlest learners, but I know it'll be a hit when I do!

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  11. Barbara, wanted to let you know I used the dignity chart idea to teach a lesson on empathy, We got some real thought provoking answers from my 4th graders. I like the chart as it was a great way to try to teach another abstract concept.

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  12. I love the idea of treating someone how you want them to be. What a wonderful message for children.

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  13. I love the dignity chart, and having a new way to address the very abstract concept of dignity. Jensplace at gmail . Com

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  14. I teach an inclusion class and many of my students need help with showing kindness & empathy to each other. I would LOVE a copy of this book:)! Thanks for the opportunity!

    ~Sara
    sweetsarabowling@gmail.com

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  15. A beautiful book and message. Loved this (am I wrong or did I read the closing date was the 28th October...mmm) anyway congrats to the winners.

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    1. Thanks, Patient Dreamer, for helping me with my calendar . . . I was a week off, wasn't I? So I've added one more copy and we'll have another winner next week!

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  16. Wonderful review of my book, Barbara. Thank you! Children do love to know that they do not need to be a grown up to change the world - they can start right now when they try to BE THE KINDNESS they want to see in the world!
    Kathleen T. Pelley

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  17. This is going on my list!!! Your activities are wonderful. Great review.

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!