Jack and the Beanstalk (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 3–This witty, elegant retelling of the beloved English fairy tale, originally published in 1908 in The Old Nursery Stories, uses rich language to depict an endearing, if lazy, ne'er-do-well who turns folly into triumph. Into the traditional story Nesbit injects clever details that make the setting vivid and bring the characters to life. Jack's cottage had dormer windows and green shutters whose hinges were so rusty that the shutters wouldn't shut. Jack had taken some of them to make a raft with. The narrative is fairly true to the familiar story with the notable absence of any fee-fi-fo-fums (instead, the giant smells fresh meat), and includes a guiding fairy who tells Jack the story of his father who once ruled this land, only to be killed by the giant who imprisoned the faithful subjects in the trees. Tavares's realistic pencil-and-watercolor paintings feature a muted palette of grays, greens, and browns, with a vintage look suitable to the old tale. Gold is used to particularly good effect, lighting up fairy glow, eggs, harp, and the giant's crown, as well as suggesting sunlight on the landscape. There is great variety in the page layout. Perspective, too, changes as the giant's head takes up one whole page; another spread features the fallen behemoth with his huge feet dominating the foreground. Front and back endpapers are stunning, panoramic views depicting the beginning and end of the story. What a treat to have Nesbit's delightful interpretation as its own picture book.–Marie Orlando, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY
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From Booklist

First published in Nesbit's The Old Nursery Stories (1908), this lively retelling adds character and wit to the timeless fairy tale, and Tavares' large pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, in shades of dusky brown and green, are a fitting accompaniment to the young boy's scary encounter with the giant. There is a bit of Lazy Jack in the small blond kid who doesn't like to work and is so clumsy that he makes a mess when he tries. But after climbing the beanstalk into a new world, he tricks the wicked ogre and brings home the gold. Pictures show the hideous, hairy giant, with bulging stomach, huge hands, and bare feet, surrounded by skulls as he counts his wealth in a dark house, an effective contrast to the small, cozy cottage where Jack and his mother live. The boy who transforms himself on his perilous journey to the sky is a timeless hero. Great for story hours. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763621242
• ISBN-13: 978-0763621247
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #601,962 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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