Jack and the Beanstalk (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Gennady Spirin (Author) "Once, in the days of good Queen Bess, there was a boy named Jack..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Spirin's (The Sea King's Daughter) breathtaking illustrations for this retelling are so engrossing that readers may notice the fluidity of the text almost as an afterthought. His watercolor and tempera paintings have a hazy yet magisterially detailed look that seems to jump straight out of fairyland. The style in places suggest the earthy qualities and village scenes of Brueghel, but Spirin maintains his characteristic delicacy of line. Lavish borders offer careful still lives of rich cheeses, crusty breads and roasted meats or show tidy curving vines of bean plants. In full-scale illustrations, Spirin emphasizes the giant's monstrous physicalityAhis bulbous nose and profusely curling whiskers make him seem grossly sensual and quite capable of eating Jack alive. Beneduce (The Tempest) models the text on an 1881 version that gives Jack motivation for tormenting the giant: he is avenging his father's death. Readers old enough to appreciate the complexities of the art will similarly enjoy this less familiar and more complicated rendition of a favorite tale. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

A sprightly retelling of the traditional tale from Jacobs, including an unaltered version of the " Fee-fi-fo-fum. . . " refrain. A wide-eyed, innocent Jack becomes more wily in the illustrations as well as in the text as he progresses from a young boy trading a cow for magic beans to a clever rogue who can outwit an ogre. Here, he makes three trips before the requisite happily-ever-after ending--one for gold, one for the hen, and lastly for the golden harp that sings. The ogre is fierce but not frightening. He first appears on the first verso in tears, presumably after being tricked by Jack on one occasion. The cartoonlike illustrations are full of action and the characters are expressive. Endpapers are filled with a lush beanstalk motif to help set the mood. Not as stylized as Cauley's version (Putnam, 1983) or as comic as Galdone's interpretation (Clarion, 1982), Biro's offering is a solid, basic addition to fairy-tale collections. --Micki S. Nevett, Temple Beth Emeth Library, Albany, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel (October 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399231188
• ISBN-13: 978-0399231186
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #694,830 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The traditional tale has been changed into a religious story, September 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk (Little Castle Book) (Paperback)

I was quite surprised when I received this book since there was no indication in the description that the traditional tale had been transformed into a religious story. The subtitle is "Faith as a seed". God speaks to Jack and the Giant is the devil. At the end of the book there is a page headed "Your New Birth Day" where you are supposed to sign that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. I am a religious person, but I find this type of book unacceptable and inappropriate..especially for the preschool age group suggested. I have returned the book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations, March 17, 2007

By	RedDwarfFan (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews

Five stars for the outstanding illustration by Mr. Spirin. That is the reason why I bought the book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Work!, March 29, 2000

By	kathy (Yukon, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jack and the Beanstalk (Little Castle Book) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful approach to the fairy tale stories. I've read several of Mrs. Capps-Burgess books and all of them are excellent! They make extra special gifts for the young reader.