Thank you to the author, illustrator, publisher, and NetGalley for facilitating the exchange of an ARC copy for honest feedback. This young reader's book is about two girls, one doll and one "giant," and their playing together. Gemma is bored with the monotony of her daily life, same clothes, same room, etc. Her parents tell her stories of giants and their world. Turns out, it's the doll-doll house scenario, and Gemma gets taken out by the "giant" (nicely) to play and sees the world around her. Then she wants to go home and is returned to the dollhouse.

Illustrations: they're whimsical. I'm not an expert on artistic styles, but I will say they remind me of a mix of Alice in Wonderland and old timey Victorian style drawings. I'm not sure if that's exactly artistically correct in description, but that's just what pops into my head. They're nicely done, with a complementary color scheme throughout.

In terms of the plot, I thought that the story sort of abruptly ends. I think that the point of it all (at least for me) was that she wanted something new, experienced it, and then wanted to go home? A new appreciation for home? I'm not sure, either way, I think maybe a bit more substance in terms of the adventure that the girl and Gemma have would be helpful, especially as right now one doesn't really know for sure if she is happy or upset about her experience.

I was really excited for this book as it sounded both unique and interesting. It follows Gemma, a doll who likes her life, however, it is just ordinary and also boring. Each day she finds herself wanting a change until she finally gets an unexpected one. This change comes when a young girl finds Gemma and turns her life upside down. I loved the illustrations and the premise but I was left wanting more. I was hoping the story would go on and there would be a moral or obvious lesson included. Despite this, it was a cute book and there was an underlying message of possibly being happy where one is and wanting to stay with ones family. Would still recommend this book and think there could be many extension activities to use in a storytime.

Lovely illustrations and a nice start to the story but it seems to end very abruptly, even for a picture book. I wanted to see a little more about Gemma.

Gemma lives a quiet life with her mother and father, wearing the same clothes and with the same rooms all the time until one day their house is thrown into chaos. A giant girl moves their house, puts new things into the rooms, and dresses them in strange costumes. Gemma loves the new, but when the giant girl takes her from her house into the giant space, Gemma finds herself afraid.

This picture book is beautifully illustrated from the perspective of a beloved doll in her dollhouse. It's an artful substitute for "Toy Story", looking at the world from the perspective of a toy, but also helps children understand their fear of new places and things. Wonderful story!

I thought this was such a cute picture book by Sara O'Leary. I love the idea of this story in the point of view of a young doll and how she has a simple life, but then one day all things change when a giant girl starts to play with the doll and her home. This reminds me of a middle grade chapter book called The Doll People by Ann M. Martin. I also love the illustrations as well.

This book was promising in many ways: beautiful illustrations, a surprising twist in the plot that revealed a unique perspective, and a nice tone for a bedtime story. But it ultimately felt underdeveloped: there were unanswered questions (why were Gemma's parents afraid at one point when they surely should have understood what was happening?), abrupt character development at the end, and despite the lovely sense of closeness illustrated in the last scene, no real explanation for it. The story feels like a draft, but a promising draft: I would likely buy this book if it went through some further revisions.

Thanks to Tundra Books + Penguin Random House Canada + NetGalley for this advance copy of "Gemma and the Giant Girl" by Sara O'Leary, illustrated by Marie Lafrance.

This is the type of picture book you will not want to let go of. It's the one you and your children will want to read and reread. It's the reminder of the things that matter and the sense of wonder that accompanies being little.
Truly, "Gemma and the Giant Girl" deserves a place on bookshelves and will earn a place in your heart.

While I enjoyed this title, I found myself wanting more. I missed having a moral to the story. There didn’t seem to be any conflict in the story, or a plot to move it along so I was expecting some sort of moral, like It’s fun to leave your home but even more fun to return or something like that.
The author kind of left the readers hanging in that way.

It is a beautifully illustrated picture book! It talks about being curious and being courages.
I enjoy this picture book very much.

This review contains spoilers. (I feel funny writing that for a kids book!)

This is a cute story to introduce the power of a change of perspective. The reader is first introduced to Gemma, her room, her family, her world - her repetitive world. Then with a surprise twist we realize she is a doll, in a doll house. When a new child inherits the toy things begin to change from clothing, furniture and hair styles (I cringed at the girl cutting her dolls hair). When the doll is taken from the doll house to see the girls world she realizes she likes her home and is ready to go back.

This book was simple but sweet.

The illustrate very lovely in this book. The story was reminiscent of my own childhood playing with toys! I would actually buy this book to add to my children’s book collection.

This was such a cute story about a girl and a doll. It gave me a cute toy story vibe. Short simple and beautiful

Let me begin by stating that I love this book. Gemma lives in a sweet little house where she sleeps in the same bed night after night and never changes her clothes. How can that be? Well, you see, Gemma is a doll that has been discarded and forgotten and resides in her dollhouse. She has resigned herself to never growing up and always will be her parent's little girl.

One day her whole life changes thanks to a girl who lives in the big house outside of her window. The giant girl revisits Gemma and her family and new things begin to happen.

" New things appeared in the house all the time.
Some were too big. Some were too small.
Some were just right.
Some of the new things were nice.
Some were less nice."

The whole family gets a new wardrobe and Gemma experiences the magic of books for the very first time . Suddenly the giant girl scoops up Gemma and takes her outside her dollhouse and outside her comfort zone. Gemma discovers the mysteries and beauty of the world beyond, and yet, she wants to go back home to its familiarity and safety. Will the giant girl grant Gemma her wish and take her back to her dollhouse where belongs?

This illustrations are gorgeous and the storyline pulls the reader into the plot immediately. It is a tale about being small in a huge world and yet being courageous enough to be who you are created to be. I highly recommend this book.

Cute story, beautifully illustrated. The story of a dollhouse little girl doll and her small world in the dollhouse. She eventually experiences the larger world, but returns to her small world where she lives. I'm not quite sure what the point of this book would be for a child--perhaps to realize the different perspectives that we all bring to our lives.

Gemma has lived in this same house for so long, worn the same clothes, and had the same experiences, but then one day brings change. Gemma wants to grow and experience new things. Will she still desire a change from the comfort of home when her world opens to a whole new "giant' change of scenery?
Thank you, NetGalley for sharing this creative picture book with me. As we have navigated a pandemic, lockdowns, and strings of days, weeks, months of monotony, understanding of Gemma's desires increase. I do believe when the world is open completely again, we will always yearn for home and the comfort and peace it should bring.

Gemma lives in a dollhouse and her life has always been the same until a giant comes and takes her out of her comfort zone.

The premise was interesting and I was really curious to read the book. Unfortunately, even if I liked the cute illustrations (except for the human girl who looked a bit weird), enjoyed seeing the life in a dollhouse and kinda appreciated the moral of the story, there was something missing. I was expecting a more unique, more detailed story.

Many thanks to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, Netgalley and Sara O'Leary for the digital ARC.

This story was adorable, I loved how it was from the point of view of the doll. The illustrations in the book really help you visualize what is happening.

I didn't feel like the story went anywhere or said much of anything for this book, but the illustrations were gorgeous which saved it for me.

This story is super cute in how it is from the perspective of the doll in the dollhouse. It is great for how you get to see things from the doll and doll’s owner. The illustrations do a great job in helping to tell the story.

Sweet, beautifully illustrated picture book about a girl (a doll?) who lives in a dollhouse with her family, happily engaged in her own small life. When a giant girl (really, a human girl) begins to play with the dollhouse and its occupants their world grows in unexpected ways. Perfect for both solo reading and read aloud time.