Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Princess Sophie hasn't gotten any sleep lately, and it's all because of a restless giant stomping in his castle at the top of a magical bean stalk planted at the back of Sophie's yard. When she asks her parents why giants are so mean and bad, Sophie's dad hands her a book of fairy tales. With the help of some trusty classic tales, Sophie dreams up ideas to help get her giant friend to sleep. Readers follow the fearless heroine as she scales the bean stalk to deliver a small pot of porridge in hopes of getting the giant to bed. When her plan fails, Sophie simply devises another and another. Eventually, she learns that all the giant really needs is a proper bedtime story and perhaps a good teacher, too. Like Sophie, Hart and Warburton rely on classic fairy tales to pull off this charming feat of a story. This is a fabulous fractured fairy tale with as many twists and turns as the stunningly illustrated bean stalk that spreads throughout the pages. Hart's well-crafted rhyming text is lengthy and winding but full of enchanting surprises. Large illustrations mixed with intricate and carefully imagined details are sure to keep the interest of princesses, princes, kings, and queens of all ages. VERDICT A fun read-aloud for fairy tale-themed storytimes or bedtime reading.-Brianne Colombo, Pequannock Township Public Library, NJ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Young Sophie is kept awake at night by the giant up the magic bean stalk in her yard, so she reads some fairy tales and hatches a plan. Everything herein is inspired, from the nimble rhymes to the plentiful against-type visual details (the giant wears bunny slippers) to Sophie's epiphany about the giant's insomnia: he just needs a bedtime story. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
When a giant keeps the town awake at night with his loud stomping, Princess Sophie takes matters into her own hands. Written in rhyme, Hart and Warburton's latest princess book once again turns a classic fairy tale upside down (The Princess and the Presents, 2014, etc.). Princess Sophie refuses to believe that giants are "mean and bad"even if the book of fairy tales says they are. She scales the magical beanstalk in the backyard in order to help the giant sleep so that she and her people can slumber peacefully, too. Inspired by old tales of gingerbread houses, three bears, and peas under mattresses, Sophie offers the giant several remedies. At first he rejects her help, but her persistent kindness wins him over. While each attempt brings the giant closer to a restful night, his cranky stomping continues. Can Sophie discover the final piece of the puzzle before the queen sends her troops after the giant? Once again the old fairy tales come to their rescue. In addition to her refreshing twist on "Jack and the Beanstalk," Hart also reverses traditional gender roles: the king cooks, and the queen chops wood. Young readers may not notice, but adults will appreciate the shift. Warburton's bright mixed-media artwork provides a playful stage for Sophie's colossal adventure. A clever fractured fairy tale that princes and princesses of all ages will enjoy. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
