Jack and the Beanstalk [Audio Cassette]

Eric Metaxas (Author), Edward Sorel (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997 | Age Level: 5 and up

In this rhythmic, rollicking version of Jack and the Beanstalk, the fun begins when Jack climbs up a giant beanstalk, where he meets a scruffy, dim-witted ogre with an appetite for English boys on toast. Edward Sorel's drawings with watercolor washes capture the riotous spirit of one of the most beloved of all British folktales. Music by David A.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-- Rhythmic, rollicking and sly describe this version of the familiar fairy tale. Metaxas draws readers into this very British retelling with wily, wild caricatures read by the Monty Python star. When the giant comes home and smells Jack (who is hiding in the oven), his wife scolds, ```Nonsense, dearie. . . You must be dreaming. Unless, of course, it's the scraps of that English boy you had for yesterday's dinner . . . .''' However, there are times when the text's affect is better oral than written (keep in mind that this is a book-cassette set); in one instance, the phrase, ``and he climbed'' is repeated six times. For listeners, the repetition is emphatic; but for readers, it's overkill. The illustrations are effective. Scuzzy, pot-bellied, and dim, the giant is so disgusting that no one minds that he's robbed. Related in squiggly pen-and-ink line drawings with watercolor washes that catch the spirit of both Ardizzone and Galdone, Jack's adventure is as satisfying as ever. A good choice for folklore shelves, and a better one for audio collections. --Carolyn Noah, Central Mass. Regional Library System, Worcester, MA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books; Pap/Cas edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689815832
• ISBN-13: 978-0689815836
• Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,937,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Jack tops the Beanstalk, April 25, 2000

By 

Tammy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk (We All Have Tales) (Hardcover)

When my five-year-old discovered Jack's tale at preschool, we ended up bringing home every version available at our local library. Of course some were much better than others. I soon decided that if I was going to be reading about Jack twelve times a day (my two-year-old by now had captured his sister's passion for the tale), I needed to find the best written, most readable version available. Having long been a fan of Rabbit Ears Radio and Rabit Ears Publishing, I did a little deeper search and found this edition. My recommendation? Of the twenty or so Jacks we have read (and read, and read. . . ) in the past few weeks, this is the one I purchased for our family's collection. I would highly recommend other books by this publisher, as well.

4.0 out of 5 stars Different version of Jack and the Beanstalk, January 4, 2011

By 

S. Raney "Stacy" (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk (Rabbit Ears: A Classic Tale (Spotlight)) (Preloaded Digital Audio Player)

A teacher I worked with had the VHS movie of this strange version of Jack and the Beanstalk. She had a hard time finding the book at the local book stores so I surprised her with it from Amazon. The illustration is captivating to young children and is a great intro to the movie. Even if you don't have the movie, the book is fun to read and kids love it.