“I remembered Mama had said there were giants, strong and tall, and that one was looking after me.  I needed to see one to believe.”

A BOOK SENSE 76 SELECTION
Recommended by PBS  Teacher Source!
Recommended by the  Kansas National Education Association, 2003

"A young girl grieving the loss of her mother searches desperately to find the giant that her mother promised would always look after her. As the seasons pass, farm life continues for the child and her father; they plow the fields, milk cows, and harvest crops. Then a wagon loaded with corn tips over and Pa's strong arms save the girl from serious injury. At last she realizes that her protective giant was with her all along. Ewart's soft, watercolor illustrations suggest a timeless bygone era when life was a matter of surviving the elements, and support came from family. Earth tones predominate in the paintings that emphasize the natural world, with scenes of fields, livestock, and weather as might be found on a midwestern farm....Children will identify with the need to be cared for and protected, making this a good choice for one-on-one sharing or for Father's Day programs." -Booklist

"Lovely watercolor illustrations carry this prosaic stream-of-consciousness story about a girl who grieves for a deceased parent. Her mother's promise of a giant to look after her brings hope and then discouragement as the year goes by and her father seems always too busy with the farm to help her deal with her sorrow. Finally after the fall harvest, when the geese arrive and both of them share a memory of the woman they lost, there is a connection of sorts and the child realizes that her father was the giant all along. Soft, poignant paintings fill each page, and Ewart's use of color and perspective is noteworthy." -School Library Journal

“The sweet, lyrical prose…the bucolic watercolor illustrations…together they create the girl’s wistful, quiet longing and need.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Ewart’s soft, watercolor illustrations suggest a timeless bygone era…a good choice for one-on-one sharing or for Father’s Day programs.”  -Booklist

“…children are likely to be moved when…the lyrical text comes full circle and the girl gets her initial wish, for “warmer words” from her Pa.” -Publishers Weekly

“Lovely watercolor illustrations…Ewart’s use of color and perspective is noteworthy.”
-School Library Journal

“Exquisite, evocative watercolors…tender text…This book begs to be read aloud…”
-Book Sense 76