The Selfish Giant

This book came home from the library with us one day. My ten yr. old daughter had a load of chapter books to read for school goals, and I grabbed this easy-collection book just for fun. I read it aloud to her that evening, and hadn't pre-read it at all. I was pretty tired, and just assumed it would be a nice little read before bed. As I read, I was still feeling it was a nice, typical fairy tale. When the surprise came, my daughter and I were equally stunned. The magic jumped from the book to both of us at the same time. There is a genius to the simplicity! (Thank you, Mr. Wilde, Ms. Gallagher) What a treasure! My daughter wanted her own copy immediately, and it is a book she will take into her adult life, to share someday with her own kids (unless I read it to them first!) I can't believe I got to adulthood, as a reader, and never knew this book! But how nice to discover it!!

In this story, there is a very selfish giant. He hates kids and won't let them play in his garden. This causes spring not to come. This goes on for years; no children playing, no spring. Finally, one day, many many years later, the children just play in the garden without permission, and spring comes. All of the kids are climbing trees, except for one little boy. Something amazing happens, but you have to read the story to find out what it is. I think this story is trying to teach us that kindness goes a long way. If you are mean and grumpy all the time, you will have no joys in your life now, or even after death. If you are nice, loving, and caring, that will go along way, and you will be rewarded for that later. Everyone should remember, what you do now, will eventually come back to you, in some way or form. Treat others how you wanted to be treated back.

"Every afternoon, as they were coming from school, the children used to go and play in the Giant's garden..." So begins Oscar Wilde's timeless classic. The children love the Giant's garden, its soft grass, beautiful flowers, tall climbing trees, and singing birds. But when the Giant returns from a seven year visit and sees all the children playing happily, he is angry. "My own garden is my own garden," said the Giant. "Anyone can understand that, and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself." He selfishly builds a high, high wall around the garden and puts up a "Trespassers Will Be Prosecuted" sign. The children were very sad. They had nowhere to play and spent their days remembering the Giant's wonderful garden. Inside the high wall, the birds stayed away, and the flowers would not bloom. Winter had come to stay. Snow, Frost, Hail, and the North Wind now lived in the garden. There was no Spring, Summer, or Autumn. And then one day, the Giant noticed a small boy had entered his cold and wintry garden, and he began to feel very sorry for what he had done. As the little boy began to cry, the Giant's heart melted..... Originally published in 1888, The Selfish Giant is as magical today as it was well over a hundred years ago. Oscar Wilde's simple, yet eloquent text, with its gentle message of love and generosity, is charming, engaging, and begs to be read aloud. But it's Saelig Gallagher's marvelously detailed and evocative illustrations that really make this picture book stand out and sparkle. Perfect for youngsters of all ages, The Selfish Giant, with its satisfying, happily-ever-after ending, is a masterpiece to share with friends and family now, and with future generations in the years to come.

This favorite story, by Oscar Wilde, has been expertly redone in Mr. Bell's unique style. Full of color and vivid imagery this book will become a favorite in every home. Bill Bell has the ability to capture a moment in brilliant color and this book is no exception. A great collectable for fans of Mr. Bell's art and for readers of classic literature.

Oscar Wilde's Selfish Giant is retold by Fiona Waters and will require either good reading skills or parental assistance. A garden filled with children and beauty is changed by a selfish giant's decision to bar children in this tale of adjustment and change.