Jack and the Beanstalk (Paul Galdone Nursery Classic)

This book contains the classic version - as in, the original 1800's version - of the fairy tale. As such, it is "filled with violence" in a way that may strike our modern sensibilities as odd, but of the kind that is appropriate for teaching children that evil is evil (the giant) and deserves to be destroyed. Don't worry, the images are still clean (the vanquished giant is shown only from the torso down, laying flat on the ground) and there's no blood and guts. My four-year-old daughter now asks for it to be read to her on a nightly basis! This is much more of a "knight fights and kills the dragon and wins the princess" type story than the drivel that most of us grew up with - and it is told in verse form, with delightful word play, introducing a few "new" King James English vocabulary words to boot. If you're looking for the Walt Disney version of Jack in the Beanstalk, then this one isn't for you. If, however, you want to enjoy masterful illustrations, a meaningful story-line with wonderful turns of phrase, and classic fairy tale moral lessons, then this one is for you.

Paul Galdone usually does a wonderful job retelling and illustrating fairy tales. Here the illustrations are up to his usual level, but he's changed the story: Jack and his mother are not on the verge of starvation, and once Jack climbs up the beanstalk and the giant falls asleep, Jack simply chops off his head. End of story -- no bags of gold, no sneaking back again, and no climatic chase back down the beanstalk yelling "Mother! Bring the axe!"Furthermore, the story's been written in verse: "As Old Mother Twaddle was sweeping her floor, She found a new sixpence under the door. And as she surveyed it with exquisite pleasure, she called her son Jack to look at her treasure" is how it begins. Furthermore,some of the vocabulary is fairly esoteric: "I will comb thee and wash thee, and make thee quite spruce" or "Jack bought it for sixpence, then went to his mother, who at the sight of the bean made a terrible pother." Teachers of children who are learning English, beware!

This is a wonderful rhyming version of this story! My son memorized it when he was little. I bought it again so that hecan read it now to his young son too!

I am a kindergarten teacher who read this for the first time to my students. I had never read this version before and before I knew t I was reading about wine, grinding bones, and beheading. The words poured out of my mouth before I could filter myself. I know some students hear and see worse at home, but some are truly so innocent. Needless to say, some were a little surprised, myself included. I gave the book a 3 because I know it is a classic and is great for those who don't mind some grim and adult details. I however will not read it again.

Students love illustrations. Great reinforcement for poetry.

I normally love Paul Galdone's work and he is usually quite faithful in his retelling of traditional folktales. So I was surprised to read this book when it arrived, and immediately told Amazon I wanted to return it. My old copy of Jack and the Beanstalk (retold by Anthony Darrer) is falling apart so I wanted a replacement. This is nothing like the original. No bags of gold. No goose that lays the golden eggs. No singing harp. Skip this version.

Great product. No problems

Forgot I ordered this

The text is of simple rhyming verse, and reads a bit awkwardly at times:"A damsel came to itwith a cap all of laceOh pray go from henceCried this maid in a fright"Now I reread that extract, perhaps "a bit awkwardly" should read "very awkwardly"!But the full-page illustrations are the thing here, and nicely combine daftness, scariness and homeliness - just right for giving a small child a frisson down its spine at storytime, but not nightmares!Recommended.

I am not very satisfied of this book. I expected it smaller than the book that is arrived. It is too big, the story is not the traditional fairy tale (but it is a rare 1807 poetry version appeared in London under a similar title) and the illustrations are not very good. Never mind. I'll search for another edition.