Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk - E. Nesbit, illustrated by Matt Tavares
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0-7636-2124-2

My rating: 4 out of 5

This story is a bit more descriptive than what I was used to for “Jack and the Beanstalk.” Despite it’s length, I thought it was pretty good. I’m not really sure that I liked how the land The Giant ruled first belonged to Jack’s father. That seemed a little much for me because it created more questions in my mind than answers. There is one line in this book that I feel some people may take the wrong way: “Jack screamed to his mother for a chopper, and, like the good woman she was, she brought it without asking what it was for (emphasis added).” Some may interpret that as saying that “good” women do not ask questions when told by a male to do something. I feel that line could have been worded a lot differently.

I really liked the illustrations in this book. They are done very realistically and show what is going on very well.

This version of “Jack and the Beanstalk” may be a little too long to use as a read-aloud, but I think that kids would enjoy reading this.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Emperor’s New Clothes - Hans Christian Anderson, translated by Naomi Lewis, and illustrated by Angela Barrett
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 0-7636-0119-5

My rating: 4 out of 5

This book tells the classic tale of a self-centered emperor who gets tricked by two swindlers into wearing nothing. The emperor, of course, thinks he’s wearing an outfit of fine material that is invisible to anyone “unfit for their job or particularly stupid.” This story is a good one that has a good moral –

The illustrations are done realistically and are very detailed. As a dog lover, I liked how various breeds of dog make appearances all throughout the book. Because the illustrations are so good, I can see some parents challenging this book. On the last page, it shows the king, from the backside, completely naked. Even though it’s used for comedic effect, teachers should show caution if they decide to use this book.

“The Emperor’s New Clothes” is a good adaptation of this classic tale.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

The Steadfast Tin Soldier - Rachel Isadora
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 0-399-22676-1

My rating: 3 out of 5

This story about a one-legged tin soldier is a good one. The soldier gets knocked out of the windowsill and ends up going on a journey through the storm drains, the canal, and even a fish. I thought that having the soldier have only one leg did not make a difference in the story, because things probably would have ended up the same way, even if he had two. I thought it was a good thing to do this because it can show children that even though someone may only have one leg, they can still do things just as well as those with two.

The only part I did not like about this book was the end of the story. It looks as if all is going well when, all of a sudden, the soldier gets knocked into the stove. I feel that this was not really needed and it seems as if it was just added onto the end just to have a different ending than you expect. If this ending had not occurred, I would have like this book much more.

Overall, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” is just an alright book that I would not go out of my way to obtain for my library.

The Three Little Wolves And The Big Bad Pig

The Three Little Wolves And The Big Bad Pig - Eugene Trivizas, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Margaret K. McElderry Books
ISBN: 0-689-50569-8

My rating: 4.5 out of 5

I really liked this book. It is the story of the three pigs, but just a little different. The wolves don't cook the big bad pig in a pot, like you would think (similar to the traditional fairy tale), but at the end, they all become friends. This story is very good and shows how even the worst of enemies can become a good friend.

The pictures were very well done and I enjoyed them very much. I really liked how you can see the wolves carrying the Chinese tea pot from house to house.

"The Three Little Wolves" is an amusing take on the story of the three pigs and I would recommend this to any teacher.

Beowulf: A Hero’s Tale Retold

Beowulf: A Hero’s Tale Retold – James Rumford
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0-618-75637-X

My rating: 4 out of 5

I had only read “Beowulf” in high school, but I feel that this version is great for older children. The author condenses the original Anglo-Saxon text and puts the story into well-understood English. I believe that children will both understand the story and enjoy it.

I like how this book incorporated some of the original Anglo-Saxon English into the story, and had a pronunciation key anytime a new name was introduced.

The illustrations are fantastic and really how what is going on in the story at that time. To me, they resemble some of the art in comic books that I have read.

I really liked the way Beowulf was described at the end – “Once he said a thing, he kept his word. Once he set his mind, he never backed down.” This is a very strong quality that I believe children should be taught and adults should follow. Too often, people give their word or say they will do something and then they don’t.

“Beowulf: A Hero’s Tale Retold” is a book that I would recommend kids reading. It introduces the story of Beowulf early, so that when they get into High School and study it more in depth, the story won’t be so alien to them.