Reference - Curiosities & Wonders, Legends, Myths & Fables - General & Miscellaneous, Diseases & Ailments
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Overview
Unusually tall people, or "giants", have long been the object of interest. Standing Tall follows the portrayal of giants from early folklore, such as Jack and the Beanstalk, to American legends, such as Paul Bunyan, to historical giants who were often in the service of kings. It also sensitively recounts the challenges that tall people had to face in circuses and "freak" shows. Medical reasons behind giantism are also discussed, and the prejudices that tall people must face today.Traces the treatment of giants in folklore, the challenges faced by unusually tall people throughout history, the medical reasons behind gigantism and acromegaly, and the prejudices that tall people find today.
Editorials
School Library Journal
Gr 4-7This book opens with an anecdote about Briana, an 11-year-old girl who is tall for her age, and relates the difficulties she encounters because of her height. Next, the role of giants in literature is summarized and some familiar tales are cited, such as "Jack and the Beanstalk" and stories about Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill. The author explains that these characters are fictional and sets the stage for the next two chapters, which give historical coverage of real people who were unusually tall. The causes and effects of the medical condition of gigantism are also discussed. Readers are reminded that not all tall people are giants; some are just hereditarily tall, and that the definition of "unusually tall" varies from society to society. In a mildly didactic conclusion, Landau points out the problems and discrimination the very tall face, stating, "By allowing one obvious physical trait to overshadow nearly everything about that person, we may miss their valuable qualities." Black-and-white and color photographs and reproductions appear throughout. Standing Tall informs and educates young people about a group of people who suffer from prejudice in many societies.Rosie Peasley, Empire Union School District, Modesto, CABook Details
Published
April 1, 1997
Publisher
New York : F. Watts, c1997.
Pages
64
Format
Binding
ISBN
9780531202579