Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday…and Happy Fall!
We had several book publications pushed, so I had to reschedule today’s planned post. But never fear, dear friends! Have I got a Perfect Picture Book for you!
IT’S NOT JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Written by Josh Funk
Illustrated by Edwardian Taylor
Published by Two Lions Press (September 2017)
Ages 4-8
Themes: Be true to yourself, trust in yourself
Synopsis:
From Amazon:
Jack is not fond of the bossy narrator of his fairy tale! When Jack is told to trade his beloved cow Bessie for some magic beans, throw the beans out the window, climb the ENORMOUS beanstalk that sprouts overnight, and steal from a GIANT, he decides this fairy tale is getting out of control. In fact, he doesn’t want to follow the story line at all. Who says Jack needs to enter a life of daring, thievery, and giant trickery? He takes his story into his own hands—and you’ll never guess what happens next!
With laugh-out-loud dialogue and bold, playful art (including hidden fairy tale creatures for kids to find), this Jack and the Beanstalk retelling will have children rolling with laughter till Bessie the cow comes home.
Why I like this book:
- Josh Funk wrote it! No, seriously, this guy is super funny and has his finger on the pulse of what kids want to hear.
- The illustrations are bold, bright, and full of fun.
- Clever retelling of an old classic…with a new twist!
RELATED ACTIVITIES
PLANT SOME BEANS (of course!)
Photo courtesy: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html
Kids love to garden. And bean seeds can be planted indoors all year long with great results. For detailed instructions: http://theimaginationtree.com/2012/04/growing-beans-on-cotton-balls.html
More great planting activities here: http://www.peepandthebigwideworld.com/en/educators/curriculum/family-child-care-educators/plants/activity/guided-activity/157/planting-bean-seeds/
Write fractured fairy tales with your kids…they’ll have a ball!
For more picture book reviews, hop over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday where authors, teachers, librarians, and parents share their favorite picture books!
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends. The leaves are changing into their scarlet and gold headdresses here in New Hampshire. What is fall like for you?
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Love the beam growing idea. Great review, Vivian. Mine’s zipping its way here in the mail. I can’t wait.
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Leaves are turning here, too, though we are experiencing hot, muggy weather that is not at all fall-like. But, back to your post, I can’t wait to read this book! And your accompanying craft is as perfect as the book itself. Thanks, Vivian!
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Sounds like a terrific fractured romp! So glad Bessie comes home!
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Josh Funk’s books are so fun to read. I can’t wait to get my hands on this one.
Nice blog post, Vivian. I remember growing beans at school. It was always fun to see whose bean would sprout first. Then we got to take them home and plant them and later eat the beans. Such a fun project.
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Had a peek at this last week – so colorful and fun! Great idea to sprout some beans on the windowsill. Maybe dangle a paperdoll Jack from the strongest vine? Happy PPBF!
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This sounds so fresh and fun! It is already on order. I was, however, slightly concerned that you were going to try to convince us to make bean cookies, Vivian…but maybe that is tomorrow. 😉
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Have fond memories of growing bean seeds in my elementary school classroom and being fascinated as I watched them grow.
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What a great activity for this special book! It does bring back memories for all of us. Look forward to reading this book.
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This book is getting some great reviews! I’ve always been a sucker for intertextuality. In the PB world, that usually means cracking open a well-loved fairy tale. I can’t wait to hold this book in my hot little hands, and read it for myself. Thanks for the rec, Vivian!
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I look forward to reading this!
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Look forward to reading this new retelling of the classic fairy tale. Great activities, Vivian!
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This sounds like a delightful spin on the traditional tale! As is growing a bean on cotton balls — what a cool idea! Thanks, Vivian. (Fall here is being chilly at the moment. Unseasonably chilly after unseasonable heat. The leaves are turning a bit, but we don’t get the glorious reds that you get in the east.) Happy Fall!
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I love fractured fairy tales and this one sounds fun. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend.
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Josh is a clever writer! Looking forward to reading this one. Great activity to go along, too!
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Love this hilarious twist on a classic. A winner with kids. Ah yes spring has arrived down here and I’ve just picked my first spring flowers today. 🙂
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Yay Josh! This looks like a riot. And I love the activity you paired with this Vivian.
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This book looks like a must-have! Can’t wait to read it.
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