Gemma and the Giant Girl
by Sara O’Leary

Sometimes a girl just needs a little change. When everything remains the same day in and day out, well. Change is longed for. Change is good.

On one eventful, changes-everything day, a giant (a nice one) shakes up Gemma’s world in the best ways, in funny ways, ways that make one think bigger, better thoughts. Ways that makes one see the world from a completely different point of view, helps one see that there is a world outside one’s own world. . . what?! Can it be ? Is there a larger metaphor afoot?? Perhaps.

The words and supporting illustrations wrap and unwrap whimsically to bring this book to life. Order, dollhouse jumble, and reorder – sort of, bring a new normal for Gemma. I’ve been straightening all the toppled dolls around my house since this read. You know, just in case.

A Sincere Thanks to Sara O’Leary, Marie Lafrance, Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

Gemma and the Giant Girl was only so-so for me.... I wanted to like it so much - mostly because my little girl is named Gemma! The story was sweet and very relevant to our own home life. The part that didn’t thrill me was the illustrations - they were delightful in some parts, but quite off putting in others. For instance, the giant girl looked like a balding, middle aged man, In every scene that showed her, it was all I could focus on.
So, a great story - just not illustrated in an appealing way, in my opinion.

I received an advance copy of, Gemma and the Giant Girl. I really loved the illustrations in this book. This is a cute story about life in a dollhouse.

A big thank-you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for giving me a copy of this book for an unbiased review.

4.5/5 - Really liked it.

This is a short and sweet story of a little doll naked Gemma being introduced to the real world. It translates well to the experiences of childhood - of being safe in your own little world only to be plucked up by the real world and sent off into the unknown.

The illustrations are whimsical and lovely. There is an attention to detail - for example, Gemma’s beautiful red braid becomes frayed as she is played with. The dollhouse fills with unusual objects over time. And the outfits the dolls are wearing change. There is a real problem which is addressed - Gemma is face with a scary world which is unknown. But by setting boundaries and growing curious, she is able to retain her sense of safety while growing, just as children must.

A great book for children as they learn to cope with change and the real world around them.

Things change when a child discovers an old doll house, and she makes things her way. The dolls have been living without a child, or giants, as they call them, and things are very different with the child calling the shots.

Told from the dolls point of view, she doesn't hate that everything has changed. If anything it is different, which she thinks is better than the same thing day after day.

I used to love thinking my doll houses had living things inside, so I think this will appeal to children of the age that like to play with miniatures.

<em>Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

A fantastical story of a doll in a forgotten doll house this book explores themes of contentment and adventure and how to balance them in your life. I loved the fairy tale type illustrations as well.

Wow! What a book! The illustrations were great, but even greater was the story, surprising, very good an unique I love it. If you want a different story from the immense lot of picture book, then I would recommend you this one!

Gemma and the Giant Girl by Sara O'Leary is a beautifully imagined and illustrated story about a young girl whose small and contained life suddenly gets much bigger than she could have ever believed possible. Here is a charming tale of leaving your comfort zone, and finding yourself by reimagining a longheld worldview.

Gemma lives in a tiny house with her mother and father. Life is safe and comfortable, but Gemma begins to wonder if she will ever experience life outside of her own perfectly ordered home. Everything changes when a giant appears, and Gemma's sheltered life will be turned on its head, expanding her life experience in ways she had never dared to dream.

This is an altogether wonderful book that will likely become a favourite of children and adults alike.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the opportunity to read an ARC.