Giants have always enchanted children especially the wicked fe-fi-fo-fum variety. Could it be because these enormous creatures arouse in children memories of being dwarfed by adults? Of feeling threatened?
Somehow, giants have been part of the folklore of all cultures and their popularity has not diminished over the centuries.
In an Indian version for kids, this story set in the North East, a grandmother narrates to her enthralled grandson, the story of Shangmiyang, the Thangkul giant. He was so enormous that his hands and body were as large as mountains and his face as wide as the sky!

One day, some potters walked into his nostrils, which they thought were humongous caves and decided to light a fire inside. The rising smoke made him sneeze and the potters were flung to far off places to the other end of the Chindwin river of Burma – thereby explaining the presence of the Tangkhul potters there.

Beautiful illustrations capture the essence of the North-East. The grandmother’s face and clothing appropriately reflect the land. Vibrant colours, images and an engrossing story, all make for an exciting read.

The only flaw in this otherwise brilliantly done book, is in the last line of the story. Children might be confused ( I know I was ) at the mention of a fairy at the end of the book, especially as, all through the story there was no mention of one. Was there something else that was meant to be put in place?

All in all, a great book!