A Book of Giants

A Book of Giants is a 1963 collection of 13 traditional fairy tales from across Europe, compiled and retold by Ruth Manning-Sanders. This anthology marked the beginning of Manning-Sanders' renowned "A Book of..." series and established a format she would continue throughout her career. The collection presents folk tales from various regions including England, Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Slavic countries. Each story features giants as central characters, with well-known tales like "Jack and the Beanstalk" appearing alongside lesser-known regional stories such as "The Giant and the Dwarf" from Georgia and "King Johnny" from Slavic tradition. Manning-Sanders preserves the cultural heritage of these tales while making them accessible to modern readers. The book serves as both entertainment and educational material, having been used in schools as a study aid. The stories share a common thread about human ingenuity triumphing over brute force, with clever protagonists outsmarting physically superior opponents. This anthology continues the ancient tradition of giant tales, which have long served as allegories for overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Readers nostalgically remember this book from their childhoods, noting its impact on their early imaginations. Many online reviewers describe rediscovering it decades later to share with their own children. Readers praise: - The diverse selection of giant tales from different cultures - Ruth Manning-Sanders' storytelling style - Robin Jacques' black and white illustrations - The mix of familiar and lesser-known giant stories Common criticisms: - Some stories are darker/scarier than expected for children - A few readers found the writing style dated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (15 ratings) "The illustrations haunted my dreams - in a good way," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads user writes: "Manning-Sanders doesn't water down the traditional tales, which gives them authenticity but might frighten sensitive children." Several readers mention successfully finding used copies online after searching for years to replace their childhood editions.

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Treasury of Giant Stories by Jane Yolen A collection of giant-centered stories from various cultures, including Celtic, Asian, and Native American traditions.

🌟 Manning-Sanders wrote over 90 books during her career, continuing to publish well into her 80s. 🌟 The giant archetype in folklore often represents societal fears of the "other" and typically serves as a metaphor for powerful but ultimately defeatable adversaries. 🌟 During her research for folk tales, Manning-Sanders traveled extensively through Europe in a gypsy caravan with her artist husband, collecting stories directly from local storytellers. 🌟 The "A Book of..." series eventually grew to include 22 volumes, covering various magical creatures from dragons to witches, becoming a cornerstone of children's folklore literature. 🌟 European giant folklore heavily influenced J.R.R. Tolkien's creation of characters like the trolls in "The Hobbit," which share many characteristics with traditional fairy tale giants.