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THE TWIN GIANTS by Dick King-Smith

THE TWIN GIANTS

by Dick King-Smith & illustrated by Mini Grey

Pub Date: June 1st, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3529-9
Publisher: Candlewick

Two bachelor giants set out in search of wives in this droll and handsomely presented offering. Except that one’s a vegetarian and one’s not, Normus and Lottavim (“There’s a-lot-uv-’im!” said his mother at first gander) are as close as twins can be—so one day, they simultaneously get the idea that it’s time for marriage. They split up, deciding that they’ll have better luck if they look separately, and this allows for plenty of comical conversations as they approach the same candidates at different times. Printed on heavy, very white paper, the generously leaded text and Grey’s witty color illustrations—which feature both maps and loudly dressed giants obliviously striding past tiny, quizzical livestock and beleaguered villagers—have an appealing brightness and feel. Ultimately the two meet their matches in twins Georgie and Alexandra—and in time, each happy couple goes on to produce twins. Pity the aforesaid villagers. Recent early-reader graduates with a taste for the tongue-in-cheek will enjoy this amiable episode. (Fantasy. 8-10)