THE GIANT AND THE BEANSTALK

Stanley has again managed an inspired spin on an old fairy tale, telling Jack and the Beanstalk from the not-so-fierce and much-teased giant Otto’s point of view. (A mediocre student of curses and threats, he’s chosen a common hen over a pet dragon.) Otto must swallow his fear of heights to save his kidnapped pet and buy back Jack’s pet cow. But which Jack? One jumps over a candlestick; another rolls down a hill; a skinny third cooks with his plump wife and a young Jack messily eats a pie. The last Jack he encounters is busy building a house and happens to be the new owner of the cow. Otto buys her, finally finds the right Jack, and the two trade pets. Jack and his mother now earn a living selling bean-soup mix, and all the other giants wish to emulate Otto. Stanley’s detailed illustrations will hit the mark with youngsters, who will search for clues as to which “Jack” the giant has met. The answers appear on the final page. A must for all fractured-fairytale collections. (Picture book. 4-8)