PPBF: The Giant Makes The Team

Today's PPBF scores a goal in my playbook.


Title: The Giant Makes The Team
Author: Linda Koons
Illustrator: Jennifer Harney
Publisher: Carson-Dellosa Publishing
Date: September 1, 2013
Suitable for: K-3rd
Fiction
Themes: attitude, perseverance, optimism
Brief Synopsis: Giant would like to be successful at a sport, but which one will be the best fit? Will he need a tennis racquet, a bowling ball, a golf club some goggles, or a helmet? Have students predict what he'll be best at, then watch and see what happens as the Giant's story unfolds.
Opening page:
The Giant stared at the pink clock on the wall. Good, just a few more minutes until Alex gets home, he thought.

Resources:

Click {here} to take a peek inside the book on Google Books.
Click {here} for the Carson-Dellosa Teacher Activity Guide.
Try the cool Icy Perseverance idea and more from North Carolina {here}.
Check out these perseverance activities from Keller ISD {here}.
Click {here} to compare and contrast The Giant with The Greatest
an optimism PSA from The Foundation For A Better Life.


Why I like this book:  Just look at how adorable Giant is in our character case! This book is such a winner because of its embedded message to never, ever give up. After trying a few and failing at them all, the Giant could have easily quit sports because it doesn't seem like any sport will suit him. But the Giant hangs in there until he finds the one activity that seems to fit. All too often, our kids give up on something because it's too challenging at their first or second go of it. I like the idea of sticking with something until you find what fits, even if it's not {gasp} a sport. Band anyone?

Have I piqued your interest? Then you'll be excited to learn that this is actually just one in a series of four tales about the lovable Giant. Click the book cover graphic above to check them all out. My friends at Carson-Dellosa are actually sending some along with me to give away at my breakout session at the Character Education Partnership's National Forum October 24-26, 2013. If you're there, stop by my Character Is Our Super Power session on Friday and volunteer to participate for your chance to win.

In fact, I have three softcover copies of one of The Giant's tales to give away; 
I'll send them to the first three people who comment on today's post. 
{Leave your email if you think it'll be hard for me to track you down.}  


To enrich this book's theme, show this powerful 
NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) 
clip from our friends at Soul Pancake featuring my 
perseverance pick, Kid President himself.



And don't forget that you've got until 10 pm central tonight to comment on the Bucket Filling From A-Z post for your chance to win a soft-cover, 
author-signed copy of Carol McCloud's new treasure.

Then head to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog {here} for today's PPBF selections and to see how you can add a title to that amazing list.




28 comments

  1. I have never heard of this book. THis will be a great teaching tool!

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    1. Yay Jo - your kiddos are gonna love it. I will put a copy of one of the Giant books in this afternoon's mail. Thanks for always sprinkling sunshine at the Corner!

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  2. I love that this book is a series. My kids are going to fall in love with Giant. Thanks.

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    1. Oh, Joanne, that's ironic because I'm not usually drawn to a series, but I agree that your kids will love this Giant! Please email me at bgruener5 (@) gmail.com with your postal address and I'll send one of them your way!

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  3. Can't wait to read it!
    lisaking4@yahoo.com

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    1. Hey Lisa - I'll email you ... cause you're #3 and you've got a copy of one of the Giant books coming your way! Thanks for stopping by the Corner.

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  4. I'd sure love to drop by your breakout session. Too bad Idaho is so far away.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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    1. Oh Tammy, one day maybe I'll get to Idaho ... or you'll come to Texas ... what fun that will be!

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  5. What a great theme for a book - never give up. I love this idea. Checked out your first site and enjoyed the inside pages. I know my daughter could have used a book like this as a kid, We tried many things until she discovered she was she was a natural on a horse. And, the video you showed with Kid President and the Joy Jars was fabulous. I want that video. Thank you for introducing me to that program. I awalys enjoy what your resources and ideas.

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    1. Believe it or not, I just don't have a lot of books on my shelf with this theme, so I was tickled pink to see that Carson-Dellosa's Giant tackled this huge word: perseverance. Thank you, Pat, for stopping by the Corner and for your kind affirmations.

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  6. I recognize one of the books I'll be featuring on PPBF in your case. I like the theme. . . never give up, no matter what!

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    1. No matter what! Now I'm curious about which book you're adding to our list!

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  7. I love teaching about perseverance! What a great resource this will be and all of your links have great ideas, too. I think I could really test my students' perseverance by sending them out to recess with a penny in an ice cube on a wintery Montana day!!! :)

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    1. You might have to save the Icy Penny for late spring, Tanya! Thanks for dropping by the Corner and being such a super source of support.

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  8. I'm like the others. I love the theme. I'm adding this one to my list.

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    1. I think you'll be pleased, Stacy. When I put that book in the case earlier this week, the classes that had already read it were gaga over it!

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  9. This looks like a good book with a great message. The illustrations are cute also. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. It is indeed brilliantly illustrated! Thanks for stopping by; I think you'll enjoy Giant.

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  10. This sounds like a wonderful addition to our list, Barbara! I'm in favor of kids getting the message that you shouldn't give up and things worth accomplishing take some effort. I'm sorry I didn't get here in time to qualify for a book! great activities as always. And I can't remember if I said how much I like the new look of your blog, but if I didn't say it, I do! And if I did say it, sorry for repeating myself :)

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    1. Oh Susanna - if you'll email me, I'll put a Giant book in the mail for you, too. You do SO much for everybody else by working to compile this list every week. Thank you for your kind affirmations; Barb from Ruby Slippers gave the blog a new golden shine just in time for the new school year!

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  11. Love the character case! Our library used to have two, but did away with them during renovations - too bad. I'll be checking out this one too.

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    1. Thanks, Julie. It's so fun to be able to select the books I'm going to feature in the case. I think you'll like this Giant series.

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  12. Great choice! Great theme! Great video! I love that Kid President -- he's a giant!

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    1. Agreed, Rhythm. Kid President makes me happy ... and so do YOU!

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  13. So sorry I'm not usually here to qualify for give always but recently since coming 'round I see you always have a cool video and really cool resources. I like the style of your PPBF's reviews. :)

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    1. Hi Clara - thank you for your kind affirmation. I really look forward to PPBFs!

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  14. Lovely book with a universal message. Timely, thank you, Barbara!

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  15. Sounds wonderful! I love the cover and am adding this to my library list! Thanks for the review.

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