Acclaimed author Dan Andreasen bases this folksy book on the real people believed to be history's tallest married couple. Nearly eight feet tall, Captain Bates arrives in Seville, Ohio, with his head sticking out the train window. He and his wife-who is just as tall-are tired of being in the circus and are looking for a nice place to live. But is Seville big enough? "The storytelling style and appealing subject matter make this book an excellent choice for reading aloud."-School Library Journal, starred review
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"This quirky biography and true tall tale is about Martin Van Buren Bates, born in 1845. After serving in the Civil War, he joined the circus at almost 8 feet tall. He married Anna Swan, also almost 8 feet tall! They became history's tallest known married couple and settled in Seville, OH."
— Holly (4 out of 5 stars)
“The storytelling style and appealing subject matter make this book an excellent choice for reading aloud.”
— School Library Journal, starred review" Interesting biography about a giant man who found acceptance in a small town. "
— Donalyn, 11/21/2013" Marisa says, "This is one of my favorite, quick reading juvenile biographies!" "
— Westerville, 8/31/2013" Such an awesome story! Be sure to read the author's note at the end! "
— M., 5/5/2013" An interesting story of a giant born in the 1860s. Pair this with Stand Straight, Ella Kate by Kate Klise and Sara M. Klise. Would be a good biography for kindergarten. "
— Karen, 4/11/2013" The book is realistic fiction! It's based on a true story of a man half an inch short of 8 feet. It's about how he came to find a place to settle down with his wife. Great illustrations and great themes like community and belonging and compassion. I really enjoyed this book! "
— Jamie, 2/19/2013" Brings in the difficulties of "otherness", helping people understand inclusion and adaptive helps. Try for nursing home story time. "
— Angela, 12/31/2012" Booklegger "
— Janine, 8/21/2012" A very sweet book. I wonder if the house is still standing? I want to know more about this giant of a Confederate soldier! "
— Sara, 8/14/2012" Illustrations are ok. Topic is interesting. "
— Julie, 3/2/2012" This is one of my favorite, quick reading juvenile biographies! "
— Marisa, 11/5/2011" A very sweet book. I wonder if the house is still standing? I want to know more about this giant of a Confederate soldier! "
— Sara, 5/25/2011" The book is realistic fiction! It's based on a true story of a man half an inch short of 8 feet. It's about how he came to find a place to settle down with his wife. Great illustrations and great themes like community and belonging and compassion. I really enjoyed this book! "
— Jamie, 10/16/2010" Brings in the difficulties of "otherness", helping people understand inclusion and adaptive helps. Try for nursing home story time. "
— Angela, 8/20/2010" Marisa says, "This is one of my favorite, quick reading juvenile biographies!" "
— Westerville, 3/18/2010" This is one of my favorite, quick reading juvenile biographies! "
— Marisa, 3/13/2010Dan Andreasen is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Sailor Boy Jig, by Margaret Wise Brown; Chico, by Sandra Day O’Connor; and Streets of Gold, by Rosemary Wells. He lives in Medina, Ohio, about twenty minutes from Seville, with his wife and three children.
Alan Nebelthau is an actor and audiobook narrator, known for The Hebrew Hammer, The Peacekeeper, and the Remember WENN television series. He is the winner of two AudioFile Earphones Awards.