The Giant From Nowhere by Frances Dickens Review

Reviewed by Louisa Nashir

I was recently delighted when asked to review a brand new book from Titchy Titles called The Giant From Nowhere and the Giant From Nowhere Activity Pack.

In no time at all the package arrived but we were out so the following day we went along to the post office to collect it and my daughter Kate and I opened it up rather excitedly.

The package contained a lovely letter from Hilary Whates (managing Director of Titchy Titles), the book and a small rectangular cardboard box with the activity pack inside.

I read the letter from Hilary and found it extremely nice to have the letter detailing the books origins and it really made me smile.

Kate and I read the book together for her bedtime story and she sat quietly and listened. She loved the illustrations (especially the one of the giant proposing!)

The book is cleverly written by Frances Dickens and illustrated beautifully by Peter Hudspith and held together with a metal coil which meant turning the pages was easy and none of them ended up bent and the front and back covers are wipeable so perfect for this house as Kate can be a little clumsy especially with drinks!

The story is simple and easy to digest and Kate was hooked, in fact she wanted it read again the following evening.

The story is about a sad giant who came from a lonely sounding place named Nowhere, so he moved to a nicer sounding place named Somewhere and after a few mishaps met lots of lovely people who accepted him for who he was.

The books pages are all easy to read as the text was a very good size so even Nanna can read this to Kate next time she visits.

My favourite parts of the book are the police questionnaire page and the wedding invitation page (curious? Well you had better go out and buy a copy as I am not going to give any more away).

The Giant Fun Activity Pack (which is purchased separately for £4.99) is brilliant! The packaging is recyclable but we shall not be recycling it as it’s useful to keep all of the items in.

Inside the box there was…
A letter explaining how to use the pack
2 x A3 map sheets (makes an A2 village plan)
4 x A4 cards of village characters – including the Giant
2 x A4 cards with village buildings
2 x A4 cards with trees and other village things
1 x box of 6 coloured pencils
1 x pencil sharpener
1 x children’s craft scissors

Basically you can colour in the A4 pages, cut and fold them and place them wherever you wish on the giant map.

It doesn’t matter where you place them or what colours you use as it’s entirely up to you and your imagination.

We set the map up of the village and are still colouring the pieces but have placed a few trees and buildings around already and we are both very pleased with our efforts and I have a feeling that this book and activity pack will remain a firm favourite in this house.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £13.99 (hardback)

Available to buy from Amazon here.