PPBF: The Giant King (& Giveaway)

It's another PPBF at Susanna Hill's blog and I've got another

 picture perfect choice for you!

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:

  

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.