Two So Small

A gentle story about a brave little boy and his goat who, after many wrong turns, meet a baby giant in need of their help. In order to fully capture the size of the giants, Two So Small features an extra-large fold-out picture at the story's end. A long time ago, a boy sets out to visit his grandmother. His father sternly warns him against leaving their small land, giving him specific directions to Grandmother's house: "under the bridge, around the trees, left at the big rock, in front of the waterfall, and over the hill." The boy hitches his goat to the cart and they are on their way. When they reach the bridge, he can't remember the right way. He asks his goat, but she is nibbling sweet grass and doesn't answer. Beside her, he finds something long and round like a rope and puts it into the cart, and off they go over the bridge. Next they come to some trees. Here he discovers something round and shiny like a dinner plate. Into the cart he places it and off they continue through the trees. At last they reach a big rock and again, the boy can't remember the way and the goat provides no help! But there, on the ground, is something pointed and colorful like a tent. He folds it up and puts it in the cart. At the waterfall, they discover something squishy and lumpy like a jellyfish and add it to their growing collection of souvenirs. Things are beginning to become peculiar as enormous weeds surround them and the trees are taller than any near home. They go on their way, behind the waterfall, over the hill, and there on the other side is...a great big baby. It is a baby giant -- a very sad, very big baby giant with one shoe half-off, a mixed-up shirt, a sunburned nose and an empty baby bottle. The boy is at first afraid, but he feels sorry for the sad baby and decides to help. From the cart the boy takes the rope, and soon the baby's shoe is back on. The 'dinner plate' makes an excellent button, and they neatly fasten the baby's shirt with it. The tent turns out to be a giant baby's hat, and the squishy jellyfish thing belongs on the end of a giant baby bottle, which is quickly filled with sweet goat's milk. As the sun sets, the goat, the boy and the baby curl up and fall asleep. Mama giant finds them like this and, suspicious at first, soon recognizes all they have done for her lost child. "All done by two so small," she smiles, gathers them up in her hand and lifts them back into the land of humans.

About the Author :
Hazel Hutchins is a master of the gentle, humorous story for the very young. Hazel has written over 20 books for children. All but one of her picture books have been joyously, sensitively illustrated by Ruth Ohi, whose glowing, funny illustrations are familiar to families all over North America. This is Ruth's 29th book with Annick Press. Hazel lives with her family in Canmore, Alberta, and Ruth lives with hers in Toronto.

Review :
This original folktale immediate places children in familiar territory. Beginning with "a long time ago," the story tells of a young boy going off to Grandma's and being warned not to lose his way. The similarities with Red Riding Hood end there, as the boy is accompanied by his goat and is never in any danger. Of course, he does get lost, encountering mysterious objects along the way, which he places in the little cart his goat pulls...Ruth Ohi's cheerful watercolours reflect the carefree mood of the text... Hutchins' underlying message of love and acceptance will strike an essential chord with young children... More suited to bedtime than story time, this is a book to share with a little person while snuggled up under the covers. Recommended.--Alison Mews"Canadian Materials" (04/13/2001) Hutchins' underlying message of love and acceptance will strike an essential chord with young children... Recommended.--Alison Mews"Canadian Materials" (04/13/2001)