Giant John

by Arnold Lobel

John is a friendly giant who lives among musical fairies. But the time comes when he must venture out into the world to get a job. Soon, he befriends a king and queen who ask him to stay and work for their family. Through his adventures, Giant John learns what it means to care about people and for them to care about him. This heart-warming tale of friendship is as fresh today as it was when originally published in 1964. The child-friendly illustrations, complete with the detailed, crosshatching lines, reveal Arnold Lobel's great talent as an artist and, most of all, as a storyteller.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Arnold Stark Lobel was a popular American author of children's books. Among his most popular books are those of the Frog and Toad series, and Mouse Soup, which won the Garden State Children's Book Award from the New Jersey Library Association.

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Arnold!! I want to hug you for this book!! It is this book that is the most love ragged OD all the books I still have of my childhood story books. This book made my heart sing and although my mother most likely hated reading it to me every night over and over, she still did it. As a tall girl myself, I understood his hardships. Oh I adored this book in so many ways. I am 44 and I still have the book sitting on the book shelf in my book room. All I want is to hug Giant John!!

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our younger son (Nicholas John)loved this book. I think I read it to him 100 times when he had his tonsils out.

Many years later, when the book had been given away long ago and he was an adult, I saw it at our library's book sale and got it for him for Christmas.

That was the year he saw it at a garage sale and got it for me...

[Luisa Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, what a sweet giant, John is.

Here’s a fairy tale that you and your littles will enjoy! The story is well told and the illustrations are nothing but adorable; as Arnold Lobel is only apt to do.

Next time you’re looking for a new (but old) picture book, turn to this one.

Ages: 3 - 8

Cleanliness: mentions fairies who play magical music.

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

My dad brought this book which was his when he was little. His copy was the 1964 edition where his mom makes him wear his "rubbers" before he leaves the house. Too funny.

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another classically structured fairy tale with a small twist. Our giant must leave the enchanted forest with the fairies that play music to which he dances so that he and his mother can have food to eat. He finds a castle and while there, protects it from bad weather, helps with the laundry, plays with the princess and dog, and goes on picnics. The fairies miss him and come to play their music. He can't help but dance and this destroys the castle. He does his best to repair it. After they pay him, he returns home to mother.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a giant whose family is so poor they have a shelf for individual potato chips. Weird. IDK he left his mom for a week with no food. How rude! Oz was indifferent to this book.

[Diko Duku]

An old children's folktale, in a newer version for ages 6. It center's on a young john whos fmaily lives in poverty so he works to gain money to support them. It teaches children about struggles and different classes, and hard work.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Arnold Lobel. Giant John dances when fairies play music. When he and his mother are going hungry, he sets out to look for work. He works for a king, Queen and princess. But the fairies find him, and he dances and knocks the castle down. Very funny with simple drawings.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of a twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. A young giant and his mother have nothing to eat, so the young giant sets out. He meets a royal family, has some good times and not so good times and brings home some money. Dated, but not in a bad way.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few books that I received when I was very young. LOVED it! I read it over and over. Wonderful memory.

[Monica Tomasello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. I loved the illustrations and the story was funny and sweet.

[Joy Keil · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dad's review "it was weird."

[Bethany Cuppett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for younger students. It teaches them at an early age how important it is to care for people and to be kind to others.

[A.G. Rowdark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining. The illustrations are rather appealing.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down on your luck? Only two potato chips left? Then this book is for you.

[Rick Christiansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable for some unexplainable reason. But really stupid when you think about it lol

[Moch Ansori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good picture book.

[Tamara Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

no explanation given for an important part of the story so ending wasn't completely satisfying

[Spencer Meline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting adaptation of genesis 6.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arnold Lobel illustrates with great dexterity the difference in sizes between the big giant John and the little fairies in the forest. Lobel is such a great artist of creating the cross hatching on figures giving them a depth of field. John and his mother run out of things to eat and down to two potato chips. Almost reminds me of the surfs somehow, with John going out to find some work in his floppy hat and rubber shoes. Everyone is so tiny in comparison to John, but that is why it makes the illustrations so fun and intriguing to follow. The story ends with John earning a bag of gold and coming home to his mother who is just getting ready to eat a shoe! This is Lobel's work in 1987. His work seems to have evolved to contain more details to his drawings and the figures have filled in with more definition as well. Lobel illustrates the giant with such ease and confidence, curling him up to sleep, dancing, not crying but working hard, and much more. Such a beautiful book to give to a young reader on his many delightful adventures! Very highly recommended!

[Gwen the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the reprint of this treasure...how could this have ever gone out of print? It's still hilarious and a fun, fun read. Giant John needs to make money to feed himself and his mother so he goes to the king and helps out by holding his umbrella over the castle during the rain, giving the kiddos horsey rides and other useful tasks. Unfortunately, some mischievous fairies come along and make things difficult for the whole kingdom. Will it all end happily? Read and find out!

[Mary Jo Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story illustrated in shades of green, greys, browns, and oranges. Not sure what else to say about this one. Doesn't appear to have any substantial message for children other than to say that even the largest among us can be plagued by the smallest. It seems to be more a pure work of fun and fantasy.

[Nicolette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty silly. I thought it had a few irrelevant peices in it, that seemed out of place and unnecessary but I guess it would make a little kid giggle if they were reading it. I thought it got across a good point, although it was barely stressed. It seemed to try to teach the importance of getting a job and providing for your family in times of need, or working for things in life!

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the story of a giant and his mother who live in an enchanted forest with fairies that play magical music the make Giant John dance. John goes off to seek his fortune as both he and his mother are starving. He does odd jobs for a king and ends up dancing his castle to pieces when the fairies show up. All in all, it's a bit disjointed and weird.

Illustrations are not very exciting.

[Joey Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that this book has some great aspects to it! The moral of the story is great to remind kids to be conscious of others and to help take care of them is great. The reason I gave it 3 stars is because I felt like it was just kind of odd and random.
Guided reading: k
DRA Level: 18
Traits: idea and voice

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was my all time favorite book when I was about 6 years old. I loved it so much, especially when Giant John's mom only had two potato chips in her cupboard.

Awwww!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trouble ensues when a giant goes out to make money.

[MissInformation · Rating 3 out of 5]

classic Lobel about giant who dances to fairy music and takes care of a castle to earn gold.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a rather odd little story, but somehow kind of charming.

[Katelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite book when I was a little kid. I had it memorized.