Once There Were Giants

Once There Were Giants is the charming story of a little girl growing up in a supportive, loving family. Fabulous illustrations compliment the short, lyrical prose for the main events of the girl's life. You'll want to read this book WITH your children (if you can get through it without crying). It is a good opportunity to discuss family, life changes, and special days or events that mark a person's "coming of age." The pictures are quite appropriate; they reflect real life situations such as the fights between siblings and the first time a child beats her parents in a race (as well as the beverages served at grown-up parties.) If you have a daughter, this is a book you'll want to keep forever.

This book is one of my favorites to give to families that have large extended families like the one depicted in the story. Just as the other reviewers have said, it is more for adults in many ways than young children. That makes the beer on dad's head very irrelevant. It is very sweet, and does show how fast time goes - the baby girl on the first page becomes a giant on the last page too fast. I've given it to many of my friends' daughters and everyone has loved it!

We discovered this book years ago at the library and instantly loved it. I have to admit that *I* probably love it more that my children. It is so sweet and touching how it portrays the circle of life. I love the illustrations of the little girl growing up in all of her phases. I decided that we need to have it in our personal library so I can continue to read it to my children and hopefully one day read it to my grandchildren as well!

Oh my, the first time I read this delightful but touching story to my 18 month old daughter I sobbed so hard she turned around to look at me - but she was smiling. As if she understood that I was "crying for happy." Any parent will be touched by the first person story of the Giants (adults) in this growing girl's life. As I read it I even think of my own childhood and how my mother must have been amazed at how fast it happened. Like all of Martin Waddell's books this one is well written and enjoyable for both the children for whom it is intended and their parents. The illustrations are charming; fun and colorful. Thanks for touching our hearts.