This is the House that Jack Built

This is the House that Jack Built

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80  ·  rating details  ·  423 ratings  ·  77 reviews
What happened in the house that Jack built? It all started with the cheese that lay in the house that Jack built. And then came the rat that ate the cheese and the cat who killed the rat. Caldecott Medal?winning author and illustrator Simms Taback brings his distinctive humor and creativity to the beloved story of Jack and the house that he built.

Paperback, 32 pages
Published November 18th 2004 by Puffin (first published September 2004)
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Veronica Diaz
Main Characters: N/A
Setting: The house that Jack Built
POV: Narrator
Grade Level: K-2
Reading Level: Fountas-Pinnell - F
Genre: Traditional Literature

This is a children’s story that has been around for a long time, and it continues to bring smiles to the children who read it today. It is a story that takes in a house that Jack built (as the title would imply). With each turn of the page, an additional character is introduced, and it explains how the character relates to the previous characters. The...more
Allison
This took me longer to read then most. The illustrations are very busy! There is so much going on. As each character makes an appearance, the artist chose to put all kinds of extra things on the page to tickle our fancy. At the very beginning, before the story even began, there was a list of all of the characters to expect throughout the story. This gives the children a little heads up about who all will be involved but gives none of the story away. It starts with the cheese, then the rat and th...more
Heather
The pictures in this book are intriguing, with a combination of paint and cut-out oddities. A traditional rhyme with some commentary included with the pictures.

A lot of the commentary was too preachy for a children's book, imo, mostly in the contradictory messages about food. One example is the author's opinions on different kinds of cheese: the only good kind according to him is American cheese, which is pretty much the only kind in the picture that's barely cheese at all. Parts of a cow are h...more
Ch_jank-caporale
Simms Taback won a Caldecott Honor award for his version of "There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly." "The House that Jack Built" is also a traditional tale, first published in 1755 from a much older oral rhyme dating at least back to the sixteenth century. In 1878, Randolph Caldecott, known for the medals named after him, wrote and illustrated his own version. Simms Taback's rendition ends with a tribute to "the artist who first had drawn...a picture of the farmer planting his corn" (Hint:...more
Katie Carson
Traditional stories are supposed to engage readers. The predictable, repetitive chant in this story found me almost singing along out-loud with each page. As you continue through the story, you'll see that the text gets smaller the more frequently you read the passage. The author assumes that by the end of the book, you can predict that "that lay in the house that Jack built" will end the page. This chanting a truly remarkable element of a well-written children's book. My favorite part about the...more
SallySnowtiger
This Is The House That Jack Built
Picture book by the same artist
Grades K-2

Simms Taback’s illustrations are bold, bright and vividly exaggerated. The text dances on the pages, around a collage of illustrations mimicking the fast-paced and colorful imagination of a child. The letters are unsteady, varying in size, thickness and color, paralleling the writing of children. Part of the story’s charm and high child appeal stems from the colorful illustrations and the nonsensical characters. First read...more
Jennie
Jul 09, 2011 Jennie added it
Age: 4-8

Genre: Picture book

Diversity: Imagery

Illustrations: The drawing in this book make use of the contrast between the dark backgrounds and the brightly colored objects in the house. Little inside jokes are strewn throughout the pages. The text is also part of the illustration, done in bright and varying colors.

Personal Response: I thoroughly enjoyed this updated version of the classic story. The additions to every verse in the illustrations are very funny. I think this story is an example o...more
Anayssa Pulido
This book was awarded the caldecott medal. The story takes place inside the house that Jack built. In each page there is something new introduced to the story; it all starts with a cheese that lay in the house that Jack built, then the rat who ate the cheese, then the cat who ate the rat who ate the cheese inside the house that Jack built. I thought this story was very entertaining and children of all ages would love it. The illustrations are great and very original. It is great to teach student...more
Heather
The House that Jack Built has been re-told and illustrated by Simms Taback. I actually viewed the read-along DVD of this title, which was narrated by Many Patinkin. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations, which were drawn in a way that reminded me of a collage or felt board. This effect was enhanced in the DVD version, as the different characters and objects were animated to go along with the action in the story. Although I observed for myself that this was a good read-aloud book, I would have...more
Tracey Melcher
Taback puts a new twist on the memorable old rhyme in This is the House That Jack Built. The familiarity and predictability of this cumulative tale make it especially appealing for young readers. Taback starts with a single picture of Jack’s house, adding the usual cast of characters (cheese, rat, cat, dog, cow, cow, maiden, man, judge, rooster, and farmer) as the tale goes on. In a surprise ending, Taback pays homage to Randolph Caldecott, “the artist who first had drawn” this wonderful rhyme i...more
Evan Banned
This is the House That Jack Built that was in the community that was where the Wal-Mart that sells the pesticide that kills the bugs feeding on the crops of the poor farmer appealing to the government bureaucrat that wrote rejection letter for the form for funding for the library where librarian who dates the dog catcher that used the tranquilizer that put down the monkey owned by the pimp that will kill the two-bit crackhead having blackmail sex with mayor of Bannville who directed the police d...more
Emily Farmer
Oct 29, 2012 Emily Farmer rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: first - third grade
This book is about what happens in the house that Jack built starting with an old piece of cheese, to cats being worried by dogs, roosters that crow in the morning, etc. This is a cute predictable book because the same things happen on the pages. I didn't like that the pictures and text are so scattered so it would be hard for children to read it in order. I am also a bit nervous about the style of text that is used. THere is tons of different styles on the same page that I think would also conf...more
Ashley
Imaginative! This would be the word I would use if I had to describe this book in one word.
The flyleaf, end pages, and covers are filled with creative pictures that hold more meaning each time a person looks at them. Similar to how each page is filled with added depth and hidden jokes. For example, on the back cover there are many tools given spoofed names like the “pretty big hand saw” or the “plane, not airplane”.
The bold, bright colors relate to the fun atmosphere the book portrays in its il...more
Samantha
This picture book presents a new version of the rhyme from 1775. This book would be good for children 4-8. I enjoyed the silly way the book built up its almost nonsense story. I liked the child like collage and crayon-like drawings that were used to illustrate the story.

I can imagine this story being used in read aloud during a kindergarten class. I can picture the kids hearing the story enough times to know what comes next. They could each take turns being a certain section of the story. That...more
Cariegreer
This Is The House That Jack Built by Simms Taback is a very busy book! This book was published for the first time in 1755 and illustrated by Randolph Caldecott in 1878. It starts with two-full pages of homes that are for sale like in a newspaper ad. The cast of characters is pictured in the house on the next page. All of the colorful text is in uppercase letters. I like the catchy verses; however, as the story proceeds the text is all over the page. The illustrations are eye-catching and silly,...more
Josiah
This version of The House That Jack Built is a good homage to the long history of this poem, which dates back to the mid-1700s, with many stops along the way that include a version illustrated by the legendary Randolph Caldecott in 1878. Now Simms Taback, himself winner of the Caldecott Medal, has told this story in his own creative style.

The mixed media artwork of The House That Jack Built compliments well the zany nature of the story, and the little add-ons by Simms Taback should bring a sm...more
Elizabeth
This is the House That Jack Built is a short tale centered around a piece of cheese which has been devoured by a rat. What makes this version unique is the illustrations. The pictures are bright and colorful. I would describe them as contemporary. At times, the illustrations make the content difficult to read, but the book is so repetitive that it doesn't seem to matter too much.

Title: This is the House That Jack Built
Author: Simms Taback

Mary Ann
A wild and frenetic journey around Jack's crazy-quilt house, where the nursery rhyme eventually fills the page with a rat, a cat, a cow, a crying maiden, a tattered man, a shaven judge, and an artist -- all flying about the page with colorful abandon. I was thrilled at the source note on the last page, which informed that this rhyme was first illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, of "Caldecott Medal" fame, in 1878. A fun-filled read aloud with young kids!
Ashley Allen
This is the House that Jack Built would be a great book to talk about rhymes with children. It would also be a great book to have the children help you read since it repeats itself many times throughout the book. It could also be used to talk about creativity. The book was very creative artwork and is something that children can relate to when coming up with their own ideas.
Susan Menk
Tags: picture book, cumulative, watercolor, collage, gouache, Simms Taback, humor

Humorous tale of the cumulative story of the house that is built by Jack. House is hodge-podge of structures and animals in the house have great expressions. Uses color in text as well as pictures on black background. Author puts himself in the book at the end.

"This is the House that Jack Built," by Simms Taback, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 2002.



Shunta
Reminds me of the story about the old lady that shallowed something. It builds like that, the same style of writing. I would link in to math, by having students create a grocery/hard ware store list of items they would need to buy to build the house jack built, have them add prices and add it up, make it tricky and certain items that are on sale, and have them make a reciept.
Anja Manning
I love this book! The illustrations and the way of telling are hilarious. "This is the cheese..." - as in arrow pointing at the one out of many, some smelly, some not so much... The book is full of little details that keep this book interesting for many readings to come.

Illustrated by the author.
Karina Espinales
This book is great to use for sequencing and for the students to learn order. It is very repetitive so that children can learn to say the words out loud. The pictures are very colorful. There might be a lot of reactions from the kids like the might say gross and eww because the word kiss is in there.
Kimberly Ward
I liked this book for the quirky collage pictures and the different and colorful fonts. Taken from the rhyme This is the House that Jack Built, this book would certainly keep a child’s attention from the pictures alone. I would use this book for a lesson on teaching predicting and for teaching rhymes.
Sarah
this is a hallmark book that i read at work. even if the words were entertaining i'd have a hard time knowing because the layout and artwork was terrible! there were too many colors and pictures squished together on black paper and each page just added so it got worse and worse. not a fun read.
Lillian Collier
Great picture book of a classic poem, in the increasing stanza form. This has fun illustrations, and can be a great shared reading and good independent practice for a beginning reader who knows the format of the poem and can use the picture cues along with the first letter of unknown words.
Aleisha Pendleton
The pictures in this book were great. I did like the humor as well. However, I don't think that this is a book that would teach the children anything. It would be a book that I would read to the class before quiet time or just to read a funny book. I think they would enjoy it.
Lisa Lecompte
In this edition of his tale, Jack builds a house full of excitement. From a rat to a cat, a cow to a maiden, and a rooster to a judge, Jack’s house has a twist at every corner. See how one farmer planting his corn creates a commotion that leads to Jack’s house.
Marci Lambert
This book is fantastic for sequencing. The story flows very nicely and is easy with the use of repetition. The story was easy to relate to with its use of objects and the sequence in which they went, it was a good use of every day life.
Hillary
It all started with a piece of cheese. Each page a new character is added to the storyline. This book contains great repetition which would be good for kids so they can follow along and participate with telling the story
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This Is the House That Jack Built (Hardcover)
This Is The House That Jack Built
This Is the House That Jack Built (Library Binding)
This Is the House That Jack Built (Hardcover)
This Is the House That Jack Built

Simms Taback (born 1932) is an author and illustrator. He was born in the Bronx to a Jewish family. He is famous for illustrations for many children's books including, the Caldecott Medal winning, There was an Old Lady who Swallowed the Fly and Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, which have earned him many awards and praise in many circles. He was also a designer for CBS Records and The New York Times,...more
More about Simms Taback...
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly Joseph Had a Little Overcoat Postcards from Camp I Miss You Every Day Simms Taback's Safari Animals

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