Book Descriptions
for The Giants and the Joneses by Julia Donaldson and Greg Swearingen
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
Novel. Intrigued by the fairy tale about the “iggly plop” who climbed up the “bimplestonk” to the kingdom of Groil high in the clouds, Jumbeelia, an eight-year-old giantess, climbs down a beanstalk and collects three children, whom she plays with as tiny toys. Play turns dangerous at the hands of Jum beelia’s brother, and the three human siblings must band together to plan their escape and their successful return home. Groilish-English dictionaries are included to help with the translation of the language spoken by the giants of Groil. Author won the Smarties Book Prize for her book The Gruffalo . nrz
Originally published by Egmont Great Britain, in 2004.
From the Publisher
"All wet!" said Poppy.
"Yuk!" said Stephen. "Was that a kiss?"
Before Colette could answer, it was her turn. She was lifted up and brought toward the shining pink lips. She closed her eyes. The next second she felt a dampness all over her cheek and an explosion in her ear.
She dared herself to open her eyes, and caught a glimpse of a hairy nostril before she was lowered again and pushed through a door.
Tiny people and a GIANT adventure!
Jumbeelia the young giantess loves to hear the old story about the iggly plop who climbed up the bimplestonk to the giants' land of Groil. Then, one day, she throws a bimple over the edge of Groil.
Down, down, down Jumbeelia climbs—right down into the land of the iggly plops, where she discovers Colette, Poppy, and Stephen Jones; puts them into her canvas bag; and carries them back to Groil.
Soon the children find themselves shut in her dollhouse, with no visible means of escape. With danger surrounding them at every turn, the children must use all their wits to survive and figure out a way to get back home . . .