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Summary
Summary
When his clumsiness causes problems for his small neighbors, Jeremy, a friendly giant, decides to run away.
Author Notes
Steven Kroll was born in Manhattan, New York on August 11, 1941. After graduating from Harvard University with a degree in American history and literature in 1962, he worked as an editor of books for adults in London, England, and New York City. In the early 1970s, a children's book editor urged him to try his hand at writing for children, and he began what would become his career. His first picture book, Is Milton Missing?, was published in 1975. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 95 picture books, chapter books, and young adult novels including The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, Jungle Bullies, That Makes Me Mad, Sweet America, Pooch on the Loose, and When I Dream of Heaven. He died from complications of gastrointestinal surgery on March 8, 2011 at the age of 69.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-- Big Jeremy is a friendly giant who reads the daily paper in a chair that's the size of an elephant and cooks his dinner on a stove as big as a grizzly bear. When his employers' apple orchard catches on fire, Jeremy blows it out with one deep breath and disastrous results. His own clumsiness causes him to leave the Terisons' farm he loves so well, until his help is needed to set the family to rights once again. In this delightful tall tale, the story line follows the familiar ``foolish giant'' theme with a satisfying happily-ever-after outcome. Carrick's loose watercolor sketches are lively and humorous in their portrayal of Big Jeremy as an endearing, oversized jack-of-all-trades, complete with giant-sized L. L. Bean-style duck boots, and perfect for the story's Maine setting. There's enough action here to make this a good bet for the preschool read-aloud crowd. --Megan McDonald, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Big Jeremy is large in stature and big of heart; he is a true gentle giant. For years he lives peacefully at the edge of the Terisons' apple orchard, basking in their friendship and helping with the family chores in his own monumental fashion--picking a season's worth of apples in an afternoon, for example. His size more often hinders than helps and frequently Jeremy gets in his own clumsy way. After one unfortunate incident Jeremy sadly leaves: ``He built a raft and floated away down the river.'' The Terisons and Jeremy all suffer from his absence, and he finally returns, happy to feel needed. Though somewhat simplistic, Kroll presents his affecting tale of friendship from an unusual--gigantic--perspective. Carrick's outrageously funny illustrations are warm with folksy appeal. Ages 5-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Fiction: PB Jeremy, a friendly giant, helps the Terison family in their apple orchard until, one day, he starts having mishaps. He sadly leaves and wanders through the countryside, but the Terisons persuade him to return. Simple, almost plotless, but enhanced by Carrick's cheerful illustrations. Horn Rating: Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A giant down in Maine enjoys playing with his neighbors' kids and helping them out; he even blows out a fire in their orchard, but then is so embarrassed by his clumsiness that he runs away until his grateful neighbors seek him out again. A mellow tall-tale, illustrated in suitably humorous detail that clarifies the advantages and disadvantages of being 50 feet tall. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Ages 4-8. Jeremy, a benevolent, industrious giant, hoes a field in half an hour, cooks his dinner "on a stove as big as a grizzly bear," then watches the sun set over the apple orchard where he lives with the (normal-sized) Terison family. When a fire strikes, Jeremy's heroic but clumsy rescue efforts (in blowing out the fire he also sends several of the children sky high) leave him feeling so despondent he runs away. Many months later, Elwood Terison encounters Jeremy and convinces the mammoth man that his help is sorely needed. In short order, a storm's devastation is cleared away, all the Terison children and grandchildren return, and a banner proclaiming "Welcome Back Jeremy" affirms the giant's worth and place in their hearts. Carrick vigorously interprets Kroll's theme about acceptance and friendship. His eye for huge proportion adds to the humor, and his convincing and colorful rural Maine backgrounds complement this comic saga of a gentle giant. --Phillis Wilson