THE GIANT
IS SLEEPING

At the top of a windy hill stands a big brown castle. And deep inside — past the cat, past the dog, past the chicken, past the cook — a Giant lies sleeping.

Tonight, Evie and Tim are sneaking in to see him. But they can't do it without you.

Don't get caught by the cat. Don't get caught by the dog. Don't get caught by the chicken. And whatever you do, whatever you hear — don't wake the GIANT.

Ready? Take a deep breath. Tiptoe in…

Creeeeak went the castle gate. Evie and Tim froze. They listened. Nothing stirred.

“So far, so good,” whispered Evie.
“So good, so far,” whispered Tim.

But the courtyard belongs to the castle cat — and cats hear everything.

Is the cat still sleeping?

(Turn the page slooowly and see…)

Yes! The cat is still sleeping — curled up like a cinnamon bun, snoring tiny cat snores.

Snee… snoo. Snee… snoo.

Evie and Tim tiptoed past on their softest toes. But down the hall they heard a sound. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.

Is the dog still playing with his ball?

(Turn the page slooowly and see…)

Yes! The dog is still playing with his ball — bounce, bounce, bounce against the wall. He was far too busy to sniff out two small explorers.

Evie and Tim tiptoed past, quick as whispers. But around the corner they heard: cluck, cluck…

Is the chicken still laying her eggs?

(Turn the page slooowly and see…)

Yes! The chicken is still laying her eggs.

Cluck, cluck — plop! Cluck, cluck — plop!

“That's a lot of eggs,” whispered Tim.
“Shhh,” whispered Evie. “They're for the Giant's breakfast.”

They tiptoed past the very last egg. But just ahead, something was bubbling…

Is Astra the cook still cooking?

(Turn the page slooowly and see…)

Yes! Astra is still cooking — stirring an enormous pot with an enormous spoon.

Bubble, bubble. Stir, stir.

“Careful,” breathed Evie. “If she catches us, she'll pop us in the pot!”

So they ducked under the big table and crawled past her big boots — ever so slowly, ever so quietly — until they came out the other side.

And there it was. The biggest door in the whole castle. Taller than a tree. Wider than a whale.

From behind it came a sound like faraway thunder:

SNOOOORE. SNOOOORE.

“The Giant,” whispered Evie. “We mustn't wake him.”
“But we have to peek,” whispered Tim. “Just one little peek.”

Open the page like a door — just a crack — and peek inside…

There he lay. The Giant. As big as a hill under his blanket, fast asleep.

Then — uh-oh — his eyelid fluttered!

Freeze! Don't move! Hold your breath!

One… two… three… The eye stayed shut.

Phew.

Now, here is a secret about Evie and Tim. They didn't sneak all this way just to look at the Giant. Oh no.

They sneaked all this way to wake him up — and RUN!

It's the bravest game in all the world, and it only works if everybody shouts together.

Take the deepest breath you have. Ready? One… two… three…

IT WORKED! The Giant's eyes popped open! He sat up so fast his blanket flew to the ceiling!

“RUN!” shouted Evie.
“RUN!” shouted Tim.

Past the pot! Past the eggs! Past the ball! Past the cat! Out the gate and down the hill —

QUICK! Close the book before he gets out!

Shhh. Press your ear against the book. Can you hear it?

SNOOOORE. SNOOOORE.

The Giant has gone back to sleep. And so can you.

Goodnight, brave explorer.

THE END (until tomorrow night…)