The Mysterious Giant of Barletta

By Tomie dePaola and Tomie de Paola

Book Overview

From best-selling author and illustrator, Tomie dePaola, comes this reissued adapted Italian folktale of how a town was saved by their beloved giant statue. In the southern part of Italy, on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152563490
• ISBN13: 9780152563493
• Release Date: April 1988
• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.3" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

The Mysterious Giant of Barletta

The Giant, a statue that comes to life and saves a village from invading forces, brings the human dimension to sculptural forms. Our art museum educators use this charming story for young children who visit and tour the museum as an introduction to public art. After hearing the story, children engage with sculpture and experience the medium in a new way.

The Mysterious Giant of Barletta-- by: Tomie dePaola

This story comes from Italy and is a great experience for children. In reading this book, they learn about one of the tales of other countries and towns, passed down from generation to generation. In this story, an old woman and the Mysterious Giant statue save the village of Barletta, Italy with some quick wit, good acting, and cooperation. This exercises the imaginations of the children reading it. My favorite character was Zia Concetta. I would recommend this book to anyone.

The Mysterious Giant Of Barletta written by Tomie de Paola

There are only two main characters in this book; the Mysterious Giant and Zia Concetta. This book takes place in a town called Barletta, where the Mysterious Giant has always been since anyone could remember. Zia Concetta, the oldest person in the town, lived right by the statue. She loved to look at it right before she would go to bed. She wasn't the only one that liked the statue. In fact, the whole town loved it. The people would ask the statue for good luck, children would play on it, older boys would watch girls walk by, and couples would kiss under the moon light. Everything was going good for the town. It was all so peaceful that they didn't have to worry about anything. Until one day when the townspeople found out that an army were about to attact their little town. They were very worried because they had no soldiers or generals. Everyone was prepared to leave, but not Zia Concetta. She asked the Mysterious Giant for help. So, the Mysterious Giant came down off his pedestal and was willing to help the town out. Zia Concetta had a plan. She told the town to find the biggest onion around. They listened to her and found one. She told the Mysterious Giant to put a half in both hands and go see the army. The army came up to the Giant and asked him why he was crying. He said because the other boys in the town were teasing him because he was so small. The generals talked about what they were going to do. They raised their swords and ..... I guess you will just have to read the book to find out what happens. I really enjoyed this book because it has a great story line and the ending had a nice twist to it.

Delightful Story with Surprising Conclusion

My second grader is a big fan of Tomie DePaola, and this book did not disappoint him. The Mysterious Giant of Barletta watches over the town and enjoys his place in it until an army from another town comes to destroy his peaceful home. Zia Concetta, the oldest resident of the town, and the mysterious giant "put their heads together" and come up with a creative--and non-violent--plan for saving Barletta. DePaola includes a touch of the Italian language which helps to transport the reader's imagination to the setting. A fun story with darling illustrations, the Mysterious Giant of Barletta is already one of my child's favorites.

A Giant Helps

A fun read concerning a mysterious, beloved statue in the townof Barletta,Italy,(statues origin is unknown) and a villager whocombine wits to save the village from an invading army. Children liked the book for its humor and the illustrations by De Paola.Teachers could use as a story starter about how the statue came to Barletta. Clever and funny.