The Giant

By Sophie Masson & Lorena Carrington

Reviewed by Lara Cain Gray

The Giant is a new release from Sophie Masson and Lorena Carrington, who previously collaborated on the exquisite Satin (2023). Both creators have a deep knowledge of fairy stories and folk tales, which underpins the eclectic contemporary fables in their picture books.

In a cave on the outskirts of a far away city, a towering, gentle giant awakens from a long sleep. With a stretch and a yawn, he happily begins a journey through the mountainous landscape, keen to reconnect with old friends. When he reaches town, however, the villagers are afraid. It seems he’s slept too long, and no one remembers him. He sits and cries enough tears to send a river flowing through the streets.

Just as hope seems lost, two children wave from a rooftop. They recognise the giant from their storybooks! Thrilled to learn he is real, they draw him into a game. Making paper boats, they build trust with the town folk as more and more children join to laugh and play.

Masson’s narrative explores themes of memory, belonging, and inclusion. The story cleverly reimagines the ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ trope, and makes heroes of the children, whose curiosity and wisdom opens the hearts and minds of the adults.

Carrington’s illustrations are vivid and richly detailed. Her signature photographic montage style brings this world to life with sweeping mountains and skyscapes juxtaposed against textured built environments. The giant himself is constructed from photos of natural objects, like sticks, leaves and moss. In addition to being visually arresting, this is guaranteed to inspire creative extension activities around foraging and collage.

The Giant is a moving, layered picture book for readers 3+, perfect for shared reading, and ideal for exploration at any age of fairy tale revisions and intertextuality.

MidnightSun Publishing, August 2025

Sophie Masson

Lorena Carrington