François Place

A fable about the quest for the Valley of the Giants and the consequences of finding it. Absolutely lovely watercolor illustrations. The story is reminiscent in parts of The BFG and the narrator, who appears in most of the pictures as a very tiny figure in a top hat, owes a lot to Roald Dahl. This book won several children's book awards, and is on the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up list. It's a good story, but not a "nice" story. You'd want to know your child very well and be sure they're ready for this one before sharing it.… (more)

First-person narrative by a character called Archibald Leopold Ruthmore, who sets out on a journey of exploration from England in 1849 because of a "giant's tooth" with carvings on it, sold to him by an ancient sailor. He sets sail for the Land of the Giants, which was theoretically up the Black River in Burma. After many challenges, the expedition continues on foot through the jungle, heading towards the territory of the Wa, known headhunters. The narrator alone escapes an attack by the Wa, and heads north into the unknown -- where he comes upon the land of the Giants. The Giants -- all nine of them -- take good care of him. They are covered in complex patterns -- a symphony of the Earth on their skin -- which he learns is a language in itself, constantly changing. He lives with them and learns their ways, though he is plagued by the question of their origins. It seems they have seen more than 41 appearances of Halley's comet, so are over 3,000 years old -- sleeping for nearly two centuries and awake for no more than 3 years. After nearly a year, he departs. Finally arriving back in England, he writes a book about his voyage to the land of the giants, which is a sensation, though some doubt him. He makes a speaking tour, raising money for a second expedition. Imagine his horror when upon landing in south Burma, he is presented with a parade including the head of one of the giants on a cart!! All his giants have been killed by "false scientists, real bandits and traffickers of every sort" and he realizes that he is totally to blame. He couldn't keep silent, he wanted the glory of being a discoverer. The book ends by saying Archibald Leopold Ruthmore left everything behind and became a common sailor, gathering tattoos and sharing stories in every port -- but never the story of the Giants whom he betrayed.… (more)