Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley. ( )

Lovely picture book about Anna Swan -- short and sweet, but conveys her loving personality well. I am enraptured with the soft geometric illustrations. It's a pleasure to read. ( )

The True Tale of a Giantess is the real story of Anna Swan, a woman that was born in the 1800s in Nova Scotia, and grew up to be extraordinarily tall. As people whispered and pointed about her, she decided to make the most of her situation. She was exhibited at county fairs who toured with P.T. Barnum, and eventually became an exhibit at his Gallery of Wonders Museum in New York.

This is not just a child's biography, but an overview of her life for anyone who feels different. Anna always felt that she did not fit in, but eventually found a place she felt comfortable. Anna's story is a story of all people who feel different, who feel that they don't fit in. It is inspiring and encouraging, and it shows us that being different is not necessarily a bad thing. There's a great list of references in the back for kids (or adults) who would like to learn more. The True Tale of a Giantess by Anne Renaud is a beautifully illustrated children's book that teaches us all, young and old, to feel better about the things that make us unique. A great addition to any school, public or classroom library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

I knew nothing about Anna Swan before reading this picture book biography about her. I learned quite a bit about her and her life after reading this book, and I really enjoyed it. Anna Swan was born on August 6, 1846, in a small farming community in Nova Scotia. She was remarkable from the day she was born, due to her unusual size; she was 13 pounds, which is almost twice the weight of an average newborn. By the time she was four, she weighed 100 pounds and was almost 5 feet tall- I'm almost 20 and I'm only 4'11"! By the time she was six, she was taller than her mother and the same height as her father, and she still kept growing. Her parents would take her to county fairs, where she was displayed and called the "Infant Giantess." She was essentially a local celebrity, but by the time she was twelve (and still growing taller) she began to notice the rude remarks people would make about her, simply because of her height. Eventually, she found out about a man named Phineas Taylor Barnum, who was looking for people to join his museum called the "Gallery of Wonders" in New York City. At first, her parents didn't want to let her leave, but they agreed on the condition that she would have a private tutor accompany her to continue her teaching, as well as act as her chaperone until she was eighteen. At the museum, she was dressed in elegant gowns and custom-made shoes for her size 16 and a half feet; she would preform in plays, recite poetry, and play the piano for museum visitors. The museum would occasionally tour to different locations; in England, she befriended the Queen and met her future husband, Martin Van Buren Bates. Martin- also known as the Kentucky Mountain Giant- was about the same size as Anna; he was 7'8" while Anna was 7'11.5". After their wedding in London, the pair toured the world as "The Tallest Married Couple on Earth." Eventually they settled down in Seville, Ohio, where built a large house to comfortably fit them and their two children. Anna died August 5, 1888, on the eve of her forty-second birthday. I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did; something about the soft illustrations and the adorable interactions between Anna and Martin melted my heart. The story of Anna finding love is very sweet, and the fact that she found a second family in Barnum's museum was just as nice. I think children would really enjoy reading this book, plus it would widen their view on what is considered "normal." The book makes the point that even though Anna is taller than most people, she's just like everyone else- I thought that was a great message for kids. ( )

This is a biography of Anna Swan who was born in Nova Scotia and weighed 13 pounds at birth. (Her poor mother!) Her extraordinary growth continued through her life and she eventually joined P. T. Barnum. The author does an excellent job of conveying her country life during her childhood by comparing her size to plants and animals. There are additional facts under author's notes. The story is fascinating. ( )