The Giants and the Joneses: Celebrate the 20th anniversary of this unforgettable, funny and classic adventure from the bestselling author of The Gruffalo!
Zog Series
on Goodreads (367)
What’s inside...
This is a funny and fascinating new take on the 'Jack and the Beanstalk' story from Blue Peter award-winning author Julia Donaldson. Jumbeelia, the young giantess, loves to hear the story about the iggly plop who climbed up the bimplestonk to the giants' land of Groil. Then, one day, she has a wonderful idea. She throws a bimple over the edge of Groil, and overnight it sprouts into a bimplestonk. Down, down, down - Jumbeelia climbs - right down into the land of the iggly plops: our world, where she discovers Colette, Poppy and Stephen, puts them into her canvas bag, and carries them off to Groil. Soon, the children find themselves shut in her dolls' house, with no visible means of escape. Worse still, Jumbeelia's nasty older brother is on the loose, and he doesn't want to play nicely with his sister's new 'toys'. 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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the giants felt when they met the Joneses? What would you do if you met someone much bigger or smaller than you?
What was your favorite part of the adventure, and why?
What do you think is the most important message of the story?
How would you solve a problem like the characters in the book?
If you could create your own giant or tiny friend, what would they be like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session more lively and engaging.
After reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book to encourage them to think deeply about the story.
Create connections between the story and your child’s experiences or emotions to enhance understanding and empathy.
Discuss the characters’ decisions and actions, and ask your child what they would have done differently.
Encourage your child to guess what might happen next at different points in the story to develop their predictive skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'The Giants and the Joneses,' the giants initially see the Joneses, who are much smaller than them, in a stereotypical way. Throughout the book, as the characters interact, they begin to understand and empathize with one another's feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of seeing the world from others' viewpoints, reducing quick judgments and fostering compassionate interactions in school and at play.
Example Lesson: The Value of Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book, despite their size differences and initial misunderstandings, come together to solve problems. This collaboration highlights the effectiveness of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities and understand that working with others can lead to successful outcomes, even in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Courage and Adventure
Explanation: The young characters in the story embark on an adventure that requires bravery and stepping into the unknown. Their journey is filled with challenges that they overcome by being courageous.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to face new challenges and unfamiliar situations with bravery. Whether it’s trying out for a team, standing up in class, or making new friends, courage is a valuable trait.
Example Lesson: Respect for Differences
Explanation: The story presents characters of vastly different physical scales and cultures. Through their interactions, the narrative conveys the importance of respecting and celebrating differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity and promotes inclusivity in their interactions at school and within the community.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter various obstacles that they must think creatively to solve, showcasing effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply critical thinking in real-life by finding solutions to obstacles, whether in academic tasks or personal challenges.