Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Töwe presents a concise retelling of the famous story, blending Benjamin Tabart's 1807 version, in which Jack avenges his father's death, with Joseph Jacobs's memorable rhyme of "FEE, FI, FO, FUM!" In this title, there is no directive or threat from a fairy or moralizing about Jack's character failings. Instead Jack learns of his father's death from an old woman, who merely warns him to find the giant "before he finds you!" As in previous versions, Jack employs disguises to trick the giant's wife into letting him inside the castle. There he hides from the returning giant, who smells Jack's English blood and threatens to grind his bones into bread. While the text adheres to tradition, the surrealist illustration style sets the book apart from similar iterations. The artwork is inspired by 16th-century painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo: the giant's wife is a green-headed creature with a red shoe for a nose and fish for eyes and hair; the giant's head a collage of animals, bones, and rocks. Jack and his mother are depicted in black-and-white sketches against lurid, fantastical landscapes with dramatic perspectives. Less wordy than many other versions, this volume will work well in storytimes. VERDICT A solid option for larger collections and libraries looking for an artistic twist to a classic retelling.-Suzanne Myers Harold, formerly at Multnomah County -Library System, Portland, OR © Copyright 2017. 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
A faithful retelling with the refrain "FEE, FIE, FO, FUM! I SMELL THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN!" However, when Jack climbs the beanstalk, he spots some strange creatures. Tvwe, "inspired by the sixteenth-century paintings of Giuseppe Arcimboldo," has painted arresting surreal visages for the giant and his wife, composed of fish, snails, birds, buildings, and other objects. Visually delightful, especially for sophisticated viewers. (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
In this stylish retelling of the classic folk tale, penniless Jack climbs a magical beanstalk, outsmarts a greedy giant, and restores family fortunes. In the familiar plot, when Jack's mother sends him to sell their cow to buy food, he returns with "magic" beans instead. His distraught mother discards the beans, which sprout into a towering beanstalk. Thrice Jack scales the beanstalk, hides from the giant (who killed his father and stole their wealth), and exacts revenge by taking the giant's hen who lays golden eggs, his gold coins, and his gold harp. When the giant finally pursues him, Jack takes his axe to the beanstalk. The familiar text offers no surprises, but blood-red endpapers decorated with a beetle and green beans portend an untraditional visual approach. In contrast to pale-skinned Jack and his mother, rendered in delicate black-and-white strokes, Twe paints everything else in bold, emotionally charged hues. With a fish for an eye and another on her head, the giant's green wife appears more than creepy, while the giant is a disconcerting, barely recognizable assemblage of animals, medieval buildings, shells, bones, insects, and plants. Every double-page spread offers arresting close-ups and perspectives, perplexing combinations, and powerful, surreal compositions to confound or delight, while the twisting, green beanstalk exudes kinetic energy. An imaginative, dramatic, and surprising rendition of Jack's famous adventure. (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
