Kate and the Beanstalk (Anne Schwartz Books) [Paperback]

Mary Pope Osborne (Author), Giselle Potter (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 6, 2005 | Age Range: 4 and up | Series: Anne Schwartz Books

"I smell the blood of an Englishwoman. Be she alive or be she dead, I'll grind her bones to make my bread."

Mary Pope Osborne's funny, magical retelling of a favorite tale and Giselle Potter's enchanting illustrations feature Kate, a new and inspiring heroine for today's audience. Readers will cheer on this resorceful, gutsy girl as she outsmarts the famously greedy giant.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A clever twist on a classic fairy tale, Mary Pope Osborne and Giselle Potter's Kate and the Beanstalk stars a whip-smart girl instead of traditionally lazy, not-so-bright Jack. Osborne's telling (aside from the gender switch) remains fairly faithful to the original: the hungry mother sends her child out to sell the cow, the cow is traded for magic beans, the angry mother tosses the beans out the window, a beanstalk grows, the hero(ine) climbs it, and vanquishes the evil giant, winning treasure in the process. A surprise ending (for Kate, anyway... astute readers may guess the outcome) gives the tale an extra jolt of happily-ever-after. It's Potter's remarkably original illustrations that make this version stand out, however. Rich yet muted tones invite the eye to linger over the flat pictures of oval-headed Kate (in her various disguises), the creepy, droopy-lipped giant, and the rest. Potter's award-winning illustrations have appeared in The Honest-To-Goodness Truth and Gabriella's Song, while the ever-popular Osborne is best known for her Magic Tree House series. (Ages 4 to 10) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Kate (instead of Jack) trades her family's cow for magic beans and climbs the beanstalk to find a kingdom in the clouds. PW's starred review said it "puts a fresh face on an old favorite." All ages. (Oct.)
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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin; Reprint edition (September 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416908188
• ISBN-13: 978-1416908180
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 7.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I'm one of those very lucky people who absolutely loves what they do for a living. There is no career better suited to my eccentricities, strengths, and passions than that of a children's book author."--Mary Pope Osborne

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the popular Magic Tree House series. She works with her husband Will and her sister Natalie on the nonfiction companion series, Magic Tree House Research Guides. Many of her books have been named to best-books lists.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#98 Overall (See top 100 authors)

#90 in Books > Teens

#96 in Books

#90 in Books > Teens

#96 in Books

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars There's a New Heroine in Town... December 4, 2000

By Carole Burrage

Format:Hardcover

... and her name is Kate. This terrific new spin on the old "Jack and the Beanstalk" story is fresh and exciting. While the old version was fun, I always felt a little uncomfortable rooting for a protagonist who was a sneaky, shiftless thief. "Kate" retains the adventure of the old story with a twist -- instead of committing larceny, our heroine is retrieving stolen property from the giant who swiped them from a poor, starving widow. Best of all, the illustrations are gorgeous, and evocative of the best folk art. Boys and girls alike will welcome the spunky Kate into their pantheon of fairy tale favorites.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kate and the Beanstalk September 11, 2000

By Xeneri

Format:Hardcover

It's not quite the same old Jack and the Beanstalk". Oh the basic story is still the same, but instead of lazy "Jack", our heroine is smart, resourceful Kate.

I did like Mary Pope Osborne's retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, but it's Giselle Potter's vibrant illustrations that really make my beans grow. And it is nice to see a smart girl be the "hero" for a change.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic retelling of old story--gorgeously illustrated May 8, 2002

By Liz Cary

Format:Hardcover

This book is a favorite in our household and both my daughter and my son love it. The story is retold in such a way that it actually "makes sense." It is exciting--but never overly scary. The illustrations are absolutely stunning. They remind me of Modigliani in their simplicity and grace. If you think all children's books should be illustrated in the "Disney-style" then you may not like this one, but I found the style both unusual and lovely. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with children aged 4-10.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Kate and the Beanstalk September 28, 2001

By ROBIN BARNA

Format:Hardcover

What a GREAT story for a girl! Kate, unlike Jack, is a brave girl out to right the wrong done by the giant. Unlike the original version, Kate is taking back what the giant stole and returning it to its rightful owner. A great role model and a positive message that girls can be brave and fabulous!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! May 27, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I am writing mainly to disagree with the reviewer who thought that the "resourceful girl" aspect of the story is a bit forced. I disagree totally! This is a very graceful adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk, and the ending is much more satisfying to me than the ending of the traditional story. It does not read like a feminist diatribe but like a delightful fairy-tale.

I agree that "fee-fi-fo-fum'un" is a stretch, but I see this as funny rather than forced. So does my daughter. Moreover, I expect that the author intended it to be funny.

My daughter loves the Steven Kellogg version of Jack & the Beanstalk, and I agree with her. It is one of our most-often-read titles. But after reading Kate and the Beanstalk, she says she likes it better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Same premis as Jack but with a twist at the end. October 9, 2006

By Cady Hayden

Format:Hardcover

Mom gives her daughter, Kate, their only cow to sell at market for food before they starve. Daughter exchanges cow for magic beans and the mother is furious. She throws them out the window and that night a huge beanstalk has grown up to the clouds. Kate climbs up stalk, takes on an adventure, disguises herself to complete her mission successfully and winds up avenging her fathers death. Heroine story good for young girls. Illustrations are decent but all characters have the same face. I liked the idea of the book and love the front cover but the book left me wanting more.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Old Fairy Tale with a New Twist February 25, 2001

By Roz Levine

Format:Hardcover

Mary Pope Osborne has taken the old Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale and given it a nice new twist. The basic story is still in place. But, instead of lazy Jack, trading his cow for magic beans and then stealing riches from the giant, Ms Osborne gives us Kate, a resourceful, kind and determined young lady who outsmarts that horrible, cruel giant so that she can return his riches to their rightful owner. This wonderful text is complimented by award winning illustrator, Giselle Potter's expressive and creative artwork and youngsters will be entranced as they hear this old familiar story told with a new heroine and surprise, happy-ever-after ending.

5.0 out of 5 stars Kate and the Beanstalk rating May 26, 2013

By Sharon Kaye Thompson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read the original version Jack and the Beanstalk and then I read Kate and the Beanstalk to a group of kindergarten students. We talked about similarities and differences in both books. The kids really enjoyed this version. I also loved reading a new version of an old familiar favorite that I grew up on.