Review: The Night Giant

The Night Giant

Author: Lorenzo Coltellacci

Illustrator: Lorenzo Sangió

Kids Can Press, 2025

ISBN: 9781525314032 (hardcover) 9781525314063 (EPUB)

$23.99 CAD (hardcover)
$13.99 CAD (EPUB)

32 pages

Ages: 3 to 7 years old

Recommended library audience: Preschool library

Villagers don’t know where he comes from or where he goes during the day, all they know is that the Giant comes out at night and wreaks havoc on their village while they sleep. From switching roofs off of houses and using cars as skates, the mischievous Giant has fun while evading the detective. This whimsical picture book is illustrated in shades of blue and yellow, perhaps to contrast and highlight the colours of light and darkness, without giving the book a sombre feel. Although there doesn’t seem to be much of a plot to the story, perhaps the purpose of The Night Giant is to capture the spirit of childhood and the purity of a child’s imagination while at play, rather than to give us a message. Because of this, there is not much to this book that stands out. However, with the short and easy-to-read text, this book may be useful for young children learning to read. Therefore, it would be a good addition to a preschool school library, and would be better suited for younger children aged 3 to 5, rather than the recommended 3 to 7 years.