Review by Booklist Review
In spite of the title, this is Jack and the Beanstalk, but due to Jack's independent nature, this version, with much interaction between Jack and the narrator, goes decidedly off course, much to the narrator's chagrin. Jack, a reluctant participant, only grudgingly goes along with the insistent narrator, interjecting mocking questions like, You're joking, right? and Seriously? Jack does climb the beanstalk and enter Fred the giant's humongous house, but from there the story goes so off the rails that the appalled narrator attempts to prematurely end it. Instead of becoming foes, Jack and Fred bond, go off to a party hosted by Cinderella, and realize their dream of opening a restaurant named Where Have You Bean? Those who like their fairy tales severely fractured will especially appreciate the repartee between Jack and the narrator, and the cameo appearances by many other fairy tale characters. Jaunty, brightly colored cartoon illustrations created with digital media flawlessly convey the action put forth in the laugh-inducing text. In the land of fractured fairy tales, Jack and Fred hold their own.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this metafictional fairy-tale retelling, the narrator pushes reluctant hero Jack to follow the prescribed story line, but young Jack--via speech balloons--keeps highlighting the plot's ridiculousness. Their playful banter ends with Jack refusing to follow the narrator's ending and instead opening up a beans restaurant with the giant. Taylor's cartoony digital illustrations enhance the humor and feature lots of recognizable fairy-tale characters. (c) Copyright 2018. 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
As the title indicates, this is not "Jack and the Beanstalk," at least not quite as you know it. A narrator attempts to tell the traditional tale, but Jack is very much in the leading role. In his dismay over his dismal situation, Jack can't keep his comments to himself. He directly appeals to the storyteller, questioning and challenging every lousy turn of events. "But Bessie's my best friend!" Jack protests when forced to sell his cow. In disbelief over the trade he's supposed to make, he exclaims: "Five beans? That stinks!" And when the text relates that he throws them out the window, he objects: "But I'm SO hungry! Can't I eat one?" Youngsters will readily respond to this playful if sophisticated perspective wherein Jack repeatedly breaks the wall to address the storyteller. The giggles increase as Jack's remarks provoke responses from the narrator. Gradually, Jack starts talking to the other characters in the book until he effectively shuts out the narrator and grabs control of the action. The characters' commentary appears in color-coded speech bubbles: Jack's in green, the giant's in ochre, Cindy's (Cinderella) in pink. In fact, children will find a host of fairy-land denizens. Cartoon-style art in garish colors and characters drawn with comically off-kilter features emphasize the absurdity of the story. The primary cast is all white. All's well that ends well in this fractured tale of a boy who knows a thing or two about self-determination. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
