Giant or Waiting for the Thursday Boat is a children's book by Canadian author Robert Munsch and illustrated by Gilles Tibo, first published in 1989 by Annick Press. Due to depictions of the Judeo-Christian-Islamic God as a little African American girl, as well as threats of violence against God by the titular Giant, it was challenged or removed from school libraries in Canada.
McKeon, the last Giant in Ireland, is upset at Saint Patrick driving out not only the snakes, but also elves, giants, and all the other mythical creatures. In retaliation, McKeon begins throwing church bells into the ocean. Saint Patrick, upset, tells McKeon to take up his issue with God who will be arriving "on the Thursday boat". McKeon sits down to wait, but the first craft that arrives is a small boat carrying a little girl. Deciding that this cannot be God, McKeon invites her to sit with him as he waits. Other boats arrive, but none of them are carrying God. Upset, he takes the little girl and leaps straight into Heaven. There, he confronts Saint Patrick and the two go searching for God to settle the dispute. Eventually the little girl reveals herself as the Almighty, and states that inside her house there is more than enough room for "giants, elves, snakes, saints, and church bells."
Receptionedit
Although the book has received a re-evaluation by modern readers,[1] critics at the time of publication were less kind, with Judith Saltman putting it bluntly "This is not one of [Munsch's] better books."[2] It is the only one of his books that was out of print as of 2021.[3]
Challengesedit
Shortly after the book's publication, several school districts in Ontario, Canada banned the book for use in grades K-3 citing the religious themes, particularly that God was represented as a little girl,[2] as well as McKeon's threats of violence towards God.[4] However, as of early 2016, Giant is not currently listed as a challenged book in Canada.[5]
giant, waiting, thursday, boat, children, book, canadian, author, robert, munsch, illustrated, gilles, tibo, first, published, 1989, annick, press, depictions, judeo, christian, islamic, little, african, american, girl, well, threats, violence, against, titula. Giant or Waiting for the Thursday Boat is a children s book by Canadian author Robert Munsch and illustrated by Gilles Tibo first published in 1989 by Annick Press Due to depictions of the Judeo Christian Islamic God as a little African American girl as well as threats of violence against God by the titular Giant it was challenged or removed from school libraries in Canada Giant or Waiting for the Thursday BoatAuthorRobert MunschIllustratorGilles TiboCover artistGilles TiboCountryCanadaLanguageEnglishPublisherAnnick PressPublication date1989Pages32 Contents 1 Plot 2 Reception 3 Challenges 4 ReferencesPlot editMcKeon the last Giant in Ireland is upset at Saint Patrick driving out not only the snakes but also elves giants and all the other mythical creatures In retaliation McKeon begins throwing church bells into the ocean Saint Patrick upset tells McKeon to take up his issue with God who will be arriving on the Thursday boat McKeon sits down to wait but the first craft that arrives is a small boat carrying a little girl Deciding that this cannot be God McKeon invites her to sit with him as he waits Other boats arrive but none of them are carrying God Upset he takes the little girl and leaps straight into Heaven There he confronts Saint Patrick and the two go searching for God to settle the dispute Eventually the little girl reveals herself as the Almighty and states that inside her house there is more than enough room for giants elves snakes saints and church bells Reception editAlthough the book has received a re evaluation by modern readers 1 critics at the time of publication were less kind with Judith Saltman putting it bluntly This is not one of Munsch s better books 2 It is the only one of his books that was out of print as of 2021 3 Challenges editShortly after the book s publication several school districts in Ontario Canada banned the book for use in grades K 3 citing the religious themes particularly that God was represented as a little girl 2 as well as McKeon s threats of violence towards God 4 However as of early 2016 Giant is not currently listed as a challenged book in Canada 5 References edit nbsp Children s literature portal Giant Or Waiting for the Thursday Boat Reviews Goodreads com a b Collins Janet Giant Problem What is a Kid s Book Anyway University of Manitoba CM Archive 76 things you might not know about Robert Munsch CBC ca Munsch Munsch Munsch Fahrenheit 451 Freedom to Read 27 July 2006 Challenged Works List FreedomToRead ca Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Giant or Waiting for the Thursday Boat amp oldid 1222336751, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
