1. “The Mysterious Giant of Barletta” by Tomie DePaola
Theme 3

2. Awards Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
Best Books for Children
IRA/CBC Children’s Choices

3. Genre: Folktale
A folktale is a type of incredible story that traditionally was passed down orally, not written down.
Something that is incredible is amazing, unbelievable, or not likely to happen.
This story is from an old oral tradition adapted by the author.

4. Summary
The town of Barletta faces destruction until Zia Concetta asks the town’s giant statue for help. With a clever idea, help from the townspeople, and an onion, the giant outwits the army and restores peace.

5. Background Information
Barletta is a city in Italy. The statue in the story is a real statue that still stands there today.

6. the mysterious statue in Barletta, Italy
Key Concept
the mysterious statue in Barletta, Italy

7. Key Vocabulary
giant
mysterious
pedestal
square
statue
weakling

8. a huge, strong, imaginary creature that looks like a human
giant
a huge, strong, imaginary creature that looks like a human

9. very hard to explain or understand
mysterious
very hard to explain or understand

10. the base on which a statue stands
pedestal
the base on which a statue stands

11. an open area in the center of town
square
an open area in the center of town

12. statue
an image, often of a person or animal, usually made of stone, metal, or wood

13. a person lacking in power or strength
weakling
a person lacking in power or strength

14. Strategy Focus: Question
We question to help us understand what we see and/or read.
As you read about Barletta and the giant, think of questions about:
the town
its people
and the strange things that happen there.

15. Strategy Focus: Question
Let’s try it!
Strategy Focus: Question
Where does the Mysterious
Giant stand? (p 295)
~or~
How does the Giant use an onion
to help save the town? (p )

16. Comprehension Skill Focus: Following Directions
An action plan is an organizer we will use to list the steps used to solve a problem.
Before beginning the plan, you must find the problem and the characters involved with solving it.
In The Mysterious Giant of Barletta, the problem is that the army is coming to destroy their town.
The characters who solve the problem are the townspeople and the Giant.

17. Fill in the organizer with details from the story.
Graphic Organizer
Fill in the organizer with details from the story.

18. Meet the Author and Illustrator
By the age of four, Tomie dePaola knew what he wanted to be when he grew up: an artist and writer. (He also wanted to be a singer and tap dancer!) His parents bought his art supplies and let him work in a special space in the attic. Now Tomie dePaola works in a very old barn at his home in New Hampshire. At different times, Tomie dePaola has designed posters, greeting cards, and stage sets. He painted church murals and taught art, too. Now, though, he writes and illustrates children's books and paints pictures for galleries. His dream, he says, is that at least one of his books or pictures "will touch the heart of some individual child and change that child's life for the better."
Tomie dePaola is very popular with his readers. More than 5,000,000 (that's five MILLION!) copies of his books have been sold. Each year, he gets over 100,000 fan letters and more than 1,000 invitations to speak. This author/illustrator loves dogs — especially Welsh terriers.
(from

19. Link to Houghton Mifflin
If you enjoyed reading “The Mysterious Giant of Barletta” and would like to check out some more information and activities, click below to go to Houghton Mifflin’s web site.
Click Here!