Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting, funny, fractured fairy tale of boy vs. giants.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Giants descend from the sky, destroying everything in their wake and taking the village's food, crops, and animals back up into the sky with them. Worst of all, they take Jack's father. Hoping to find a way up through the clouds before his father gets eaten, Jack plants some magic beans. When the beanstalk grows up into the Blue and dirt starts falling from the sky, Jack starts climbing. Up above the clouds, he finds a whole kingdom of giants. If he can avoid being eaten himself, either by the giants or by any one of the many giant toads, spiders, mice, cats, and dogs that inhabit the giant world, can he find his father and a way back down the beanstalk?
Is It Any Good?
JACK: THE TRUE STORY OF JACK & THE BEANSTALK will keep kids on the edges of their seats as they follow the adventures of the relatable hero through the scary world of giants. There are plenty of laughs along the way, but Jack's more action-oriented style will keep the pages turning. Some favorite, and not-so-favorite, characters from Rump make return appearances, and kids will enjoy looking at them from a new perspective.
Many favorite fairy tales also are referenced, and kids will stay engaged recognizing Tom Thumb, the old woman who lived in a shoe, and the shoemaker and the elves, among others. The modern, easygoing language and fast-moving action make it an entertaining choice either to read aloud or to keep kids engrossed and reading on their own.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why fairy tales are always popular. Why do we love them so much?
What other versions of Jack and the Beanstalk have you read or seen? What's different about this one? Do you have a favorite?
Did you read Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstltskin? How is Jack different or the same? Which story do you like better?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Alfred A. Knopf
- Publication date : April 21, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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