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Jack and the Beanstalk: An English Folktale
Magic beans bring young Jack luck and wealth, and then danger when he pushes his luck due to greed.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
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April 19, 2026Title: Jack and the Beanstalk
Book Citation: Malaspina, Ann. Jack and the Beanstalk. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.
Genre: Traditional Literature / Fairy Tale
Horn Book Rating: No rating available.
Grade Level: Grades 2–4.
Jack is a young boy (around 8–10), and the story’s clear structure, magical elements, and moral lessons make it appropriate for early‑elementary readers.
Read‑Aloud Passage
“Fee-fi-fo-fum! I smell the blood of an Englishman!”
This iconic line builds suspense, introduces the giant’s threatening presence, and immediately hooks listeners with rhythm and repetition.
Summary
Jack is a poor boy who lives with his widowed mother, and they struggle to afford food. One day, Jack trades their cow for a handful of mysterious beans, which angers his mother. She throws the beans out the window, and overnight they grow into a massive beanstalk reaching into the clouds. Jack climbs the beanstalk and discovers a giant’s castle in the sky. Inside the castle, he sees magical treasures, including a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that can sing. The giant chases Jack, but Jack escapes back down the beanstalk. Jack climbs the beanstalk again and steals more treasures, each time narrowly escaping the giant’s grasp. On his final trip, the giant follows him all the way down. Jack grabs an axe and chops the beanstalk, causing the giant to fall. With the magical treasures, Jack and his mother are no longer poor and live comfortably.
Connection
Jack and the Beanstalk reminds me of The Little Prince because both stories involve young characters who travel beyond their familiar world and encounter strange, larger‑than‑life figures. I connect to Jack’s curiosity because I enjoy stories where characters explore new places and learn from the challenges they face. The tale connects to the world because Jack’s struggle with poverty and the risks he takes reflect real issues many families experience today, especially when resources are limited and opportunities feel out of reach.
Book Citation: Malaspina, Ann. Jack and the Beanstalk. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.
Genre: Traditional Literature / Fairy Tale
Horn Book Rating: No rating available.
Grade Level: Grades 2–4.
Jack is a young boy (around 8–10), and the story’s clear structure, magical elements, and moral lessons make it appropriate for early‑elementary readers.
Read‑Aloud Passage
“Fee-fi-fo-fum! I smell the blood of an Englishman!”
This iconic line builds suspense, introduces the giant’s threatening presence, and immediately hooks listeners with rhythm and repetition.
Summary
Jack is a poor boy who lives with his widowed mother, and they struggle to afford food. One day, Jack trades their cow for a handful of mysterious beans, which angers his mother. She throws the beans out the window, and overnight they grow into a massive beanstalk reaching into the clouds. Jack climbs the beanstalk and discovers a giant’s castle in the sky. Inside the castle, he sees magical treasures, including a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that can sing. The giant chases Jack, but Jack escapes back down the beanstalk. Jack climbs the beanstalk again and steals more treasures, each time narrowly escaping the giant’s grasp. On his final trip, the giant follows him all the way down. Jack grabs an axe and chops the beanstalk, causing the giant to fall. With the magical treasures, Jack and his mother are no longer poor and live comfortably.
Connection
Jack and the Beanstalk reminds me of The Little Prince because both stories involve young characters who travel beyond their familiar world and encounter strange, larger‑than‑life figures. I connect to Jack’s curiosity because I enjoy stories where characters explore new places and learn from the challenges they face. The tale connects to the world because Jack’s struggle with poverty and the risks he takes reflect real issues many families experience today, especially when resources are limited and opportunities feel out of reach.
February 24, 2019
Very nice classic.
My only complaint is that the font is too small. It strains the eyes. Other than that, it's great for my 7 year old to read.
My only complaint is that the font is too small. It strains the eyes. Other than that, it's great for my 7 year old to read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews