JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

It’s Jack again, in a somewhat lackluster retelling that includes a twist at the end. The basic story is familiar: Jack’s mom throws the beans out in the yard and a beanstalk grows overnight. The giant’s wife hides Jack when he arrives at the castle, and she distracts the giant from his Fee fi fo fums. Jack slips away with the goose that lays the golden eggs and returns to steal the sack that makes gold coins. Finally—here’s where the story deviates—he takes both the harp that makes gorgeous music and the giant’s wife, who decides to join him. She becomes his mom’s best friend and they all chop down the beanstalk and feed it to the cows. The occasional rumbling from the heavens is supposedly the upset giant. The illustrations feature exaggerated forms and a green, brown and gold palette, but do not distinguish this retelling, which fails to spark a real rhythm or much energy: more ho hum than fo fum. (author’s note) (Picture book/fairy tale. 5-8)