Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans [Hardcover]

Jim Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Jack and the Beanstalk told with hilarious western flavor

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4?A retelling of the classic story with a Wild West setting. Not only is the giant a cannibal, but he is also a cattle rustler who counts among his treasures a buffalo with the ability to produce solid gold chips. Jack makes only one visit to the top of the beanstalk, and he is assisted by a (male) cook instead of the giant's wife. As a parody, this rendition is much less imaginative and appealing than Raymond Briggs's Jim and the Beanstalk (Putnam, 1989). The cartoon illustrations, done in both transparent and opaque watercolor, are well executed; Jack is short and stubby, rather like the characters in Roy Gerrard's Rosie and the Rustlers (Farrar, 1989), and everyone mugs strenuously, including Jack's cat, who comments on the action. For all the expressiveness of the illustrations, though, they aren't as engaging as those in Steven Kellogg's Jack and the Beanstalk (Morrow, 1991), which is based on the Joseph Jacobs version of the tale. Libraries having that book or one of the more traditional versions such as those retold and illustrated by Lorinda Bryan Cauley (Putnam, 1983; o.p.) or John Howe (Little, Brown, 1989), or the one by Alan Garner, illustrated by Julek Heller, (Doubleday, 1992; o.p.) don't need to add this one. If a change of setting is desired, James Still's Jack and the Wonder Beans (Univ. Pr. of Kentucky, 1996), illustrated by Margot Tomes, retains the traditional story, but couches it in a southern Appalachian vernacular.?Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-9. Appropriately subtitled, this version of the classic tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" gets a southwestern twist. Jack and his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey, live on a ranch in Arizona. A giant has stolen all their cattle, and they're forced to sell their last cow--which Jack trades for beans. The magic beanstalk this time leads to an adobe castle in the sky, where Jack encounters the giant cattle rustler Wild Bill Hiccup; from then on, the story takes its predictable turns. Filled with puns and twists, this re-telling is fun, though the humor sometimes borders on the crass (rather than a goose laying golden eggs, there's a buffalo laying golden chips). The cartoon-style art is big and bright, though the exaggerated features and characteristics, reminiscent of political cartoons, might intimidate the younger ones. Still, those familiar with the original will enjoy Jack in this new setting, and adults will appreciate some of the more sophisticated and sly asides down on the range. Shelle Rosenfeld

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873586808
• ISBN-13: 978-0873586801
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,496,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh and unusual twist on a classic fairytale, July 9, 2002

By 

Catherine S. Vodrey (East Liverpool, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans (Hardcover)

Jim Harris's "Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans" is a fresh and unusual twist on the classic "Jack and the Beanstalk" fairytale. The twist here is that the story is a western, complete with adobe castle, people spouting slang like "hornswoggled!" and a character named Annie Okey-Dokey.

Harris has succeeded masterfully in making the story new and approachable for even young readers for whom the classic tale might be a little bit too bloody. The illustrations are an absolute hoot--colorful, detailed, and abrim with delightful asides where tiny mice, rabbits, buffalo and other animals wink and grin at each other with quips appearing in cartoon-like balloons. It's all visually reminiscent of the very best of master illustrator Wallace Tripp.

This really is a lot of fun for adults and kids alike, and rewards repeated reading with all the fun visual stuff you'll continue to notice.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rip-roaring retelling of the classic fairytale!, June 29, 2000

By 

Dari B. Wayne (Lawrenceville, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans (Hardcover)

Author/illustrator, Jim Harris, has created an in-your-face western retelling of the classic fairytale, Jack and the Beanstalk that will have you and your children laughing out loud. Wild Bill Hiccup is the western version of the giant and a magic lasso that turns french fries into gold, a banjo that plays music on its own and a furry buffalo that leaves golden buffalo chips replaces the classic story's standards. Jim Harris' illustrations are hysterically one of a kind and keep you begging for more. Luckily for us, he is a prolific author/illustrator and he continues to recreate these delightful classics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Western flavored 'Jack and the Giant' is a real hoot!, March 31, 2000

By 

beth bennett (palisade, colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans (Hardcover)

This atypical version of the well known fairy tale is a delight to both young and old alike. The creative storytelling carries the reader along like a tumbleweed in the wind, not knowing what twists and turns will happen next. Jack is the hero trying to save the day and the Bar None Ranch, along with his sidekick the yellow tabby cat. The clever adaptation of this old tale is refreshing and downright funny. I found myself laughing at the antics of the tabby throughout the story. My favorite character is the one who gives the giant the gold in a very original way (I won't give it away, you'll have to read it for yourself!) 'Jack and the Giant' captures the spirit of the west in its delightful illustrations. Each page holds a reader's attention while they try to take in all the action in the pictures. Jim Harris is a tremendously talented illustrator who seems to bring to life each of his characters with the ink of his pen. He truely has a gift to share with children of all ages! Anyone who loves fairy tales will enjoy 'Jack and the Giant' by Jim Harris.