A Bean, A Stalk, and A Boy Named Jack by William Joyce

Illustrated by Kenny Callicutt

Think you know the story of Jack and the beanstalk? You do? Well, that's nice, but are you sure?

Thoughts: This retelling of a familiar folktale is imaginative and irreverent. I can't wait to share it with students at the elementary school. The humor would be too much for my storytime kids. The illustrations are bright and interesting. I like that the text doesn't tell the whole story. The illustrations give plenty of opportunities for engagement questions.

Themes: Elementary, Folktales

(Atheneum, 2014)