Where the Giant Sleeps

by Mem Fox, Vladimir Radunsky (Illustrator)

Do ogres snore? Do pirates have blankies? Do fairies suck their thumbs? We may never know the answers to these questions. But if we're lucky--and very observant--we might be able to catch a glimpse of some fantastic creatures, all fast asleep.
In soothing rhyme, bestselling author Mem Fox explores the sleeping habits of our favorite inhabitants from the world of fairy tales. Vladimir Radunsky fills a dreamy, picturesque landscape with surprising and fun details. Fairies, wizards, goblins, and even children all find peace under the same bright moon.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Dragons

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Merrion Frances Fox is an Australian writer of children's books and an educationalist specialising in literacy. Fox has been semi-retired since 1996, but she still gives seminars and lives in Adelaide, South Australia.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a sucker for nicely illustrated children's books. They don't all have to have the same style, but a decent storyline and artwork make me happy.



That's the kind of illustration I can get behind. Dreamy. The book uses hidden areas where certain creatures might be sleeping, such wizards and dragons and ogres. One has to look closely to figure out where everyone is, so I believe the small fry will love it, particularly between the ages of 2-4.

This is where the pixies sleep, in petals soft and round.

The poetry by Mem Fox is easy to remember and can be memorized by children. The dreaminess of the artwork by Vladimir Radunsky is soft and had me enjoying each hiding place (love the dragon in the lighthouse).

Book Season = Winter (quilts of moons and stars)

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know that the illustration style really jives with me, but I loved the rhyming cadence of the imaginative text--the bedtime theme and all the fairy tale creatures. It feels like a cute, comforting bedtime poem.

[Jenese Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and very different from children books I normally read. The illustrations were kind of weird to me but the story about learning about the sleeping habits of wizards and goblins was something that I believe children might like as a read aloud.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Fox.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super clever!

[Julianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you, like me, read and consider children's books important (and sometimes stunning works of art in their own right) primarily for the way they weave together the verbal and the visual, then this book is for you.

I feel like with picture books, not all that much gets past me, but I was about four illustrations into this one before I realized I didn't know what was going on and halfway through the book when I finally figured out how the pictures matched up to the words. When I finished the book, my first urge was to read it again from the beginning, knowing from the start what took me one read-through of the book to figure out.

This book, for me, falls short of the slightly akin amazingness of a truly great picture book like "Weslandia," primarily because it's short on story (it's more about the concept than plot), and I (along with most kiddies, I deem) like plot. However, this book does pique my interest in the author (Mem Fox) and illustrator (Vladimir Radunsky).

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poem that seems to have a layered texture that kids might be able to pick apart. The underlying theme is that the characters and creatures from a child's imagination all have a place to sleep as the child sleeps. I think the child is the giant mentioned in the first two lines of the poem and that all the creatures live within him in some way. Of course, that's just my interpretation and is by no means the authoritative take on the whole thing, but it gives the poem a lot of depth if that is, indeed, the intent. Good read. Maybe it'll make you think like it made think. I'm still pondering as I write this.

[Priscilla King · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture story book. It is an easy read with big words and short sentences on one page. The page next to it is a giant picture zoomed in on the child's description. For example "This is where the pixies sleep, in petals soft and round." So the picture is of two sleeping characters. The pictures are kind of blurred out with white space. But after you read it then it makes sense why the pictures are like they are. This book is great for creativity and promoting imagination to young minds.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows us what fantastical creatures do at bedtime. Dreamlike illustrations and Mem Fox's inimitable writing style make this a great addition to any reader's bedtime repertoire.

Read at Baby/Toddler Story Time on 6/28/11:http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at Preschool Story Time on 11/7/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally rated G+ by Amanda Bobick
This book is worth the purchase just for the dreamy, beautiful pictures. The book has rhyming text with large print suitable for young readers. The book centers around a child's imagination, which turns ordinary people and places into fairytale creatures. (the dragon's lair is a toy lighthouse, the witches are his twin sisters . . .). The last spread shows the little boy's room where you can see all the things he used to dream up his world.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute book, that the more you look at it, the more you see. The final spread explains most of the book, especially if you look at it with the children and ask if they remember where they saw this in the book. But because of that, it may be best for one on one reading. I still think I didn't "get" all of the illustrations-which are beautiful!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short text and vibrant illustrations show how the ordinary can become extraordinary. Wizards, witches, fairies, ogres, pixies, goblins, dwarfs, elves, and dragons all come to life in this book. I will definitely be reading more Mem Fox.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

great bedtime book!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would have liked it better if the illustrations weren't so strange.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bedtime story...no plot...the illustrations are pretty but the book reads like a list.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Using rhyming verse, Fox explores the sleeping habits of fantastic creatures: from fairies, to pirates, and giants. Though imaginative, this book just did not grab me.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a little more artsy than I usually prefer.

[Brittany White · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seems like it might be a better bed time story to be read at home. But it's definitely creative, true to Mem Fox.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of my favorite Mem Fox books. The book talks about how fantasy creatures sleep. Though the illustrations are nice, just didn't connect.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

A drowsy, dreamy bedtime poem to read while snuggled up with your little ones at night.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute but didn't grab me. Good for bedtime story!

[Michal Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mem Fox and this book doesn't disappoint. My 4yo studied each spread as we turned the pages and asked lots of questions. This is a wonderful bedtime story!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very different style of illustration. I liked the idea of looking more closely at something to discover magical creatures we don't normally notice. This would make a lovely before-bedtime book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

View finder project.

[Tiffany Clarke]

-fairies, giants, and other fantasy creatures are hidden within a landscape while a child dreams.


Pre-K-1
poetry, fantasy and fairy tale creatures

[Marjorie Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A trip to an imaginary land where the giant sleeps and things may not be what they seem.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heart Mem Fox.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was okay, but the pictures really leave a lot to be desired.

[Jade Ozawa-Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have given three stars if the illustrations weren't so wonderful and captivating.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.
A great book to use to talk about imagination and seeing hidden details.