[Review] Brave Howie and the Terrible Giant by Clark Rich Burbidge

A delightfully fun story written in rhyming verse, with a good moral about kindness. The ending is clever and open to the interpretation of the reader.

I will note that there is a suggestion, within this book, that the only way to fit in is to conform. This made me groan a bit. Conformity is not my jam, but I recognize that it's something other people appreciate and strive for. And the ending... As an adult reader, I was thinking, “Wait a second, that means....” But the implication behind the ending (not giving spoilers) will likely be lost on younger readers.

I loved the story (on a superficial level), I loved the art, and I loved the format—the rhyming verses were great. But I didn't love all the deeper connotations that the story seems to promote.

Note: I received this book as an ARC, post factum. It was released October 31, 2023.

3 stars