Alice and the Birthday Giant

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University. She is the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

Alice wishes for something “big” to happen on her birthday and
behold, a one-eyed hairy giant appears! Alice puts the giant in the
basement storage room while she thinks of how to return him to his home.
During the birthday party festivities, the giant ascends the basement
stairs, crashes through the door, and asks politely for some hot dogs
and ice-cream. Everyone attending the party makes a quick exit! Once
again, the giant expresses his desire to go home. Alice takes him to the
library so that the librarian can help him by using her magic spell
book. After an unsuccessful spell, Alice makes another wish and the
giant is returned to his home. He leaves Alice a note thanking her for
her assistance and advising Alice that he will return some day.

The vocabulary, syntax structure, and large print of this First Flight
Reader are suitable for the target audience. Appropriately, Alice solves
the problem that she creates. The giant is friendly and childlike, and
readers will undoubtedly look forward to his return. Maryann
Kovalski’s illustrations enhance the humorous story. Recommended.