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Jack and the Giant
Jack lives on a hot Arizona ranch and, when a thievin' giant has stolen all the cattle, Jack trades their old milk cow for some magic beans.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 1997
38 people want to read
About the author
Jim Harris
21 books2 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jim Harris (born 1955) is an illustrator and author of children’s books, with more than three million copies in print. His books are best known for their detailed and humorous depictions of animal and human characters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Har...
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Jim Harris (born 1955) is an illustrator and author of children’s books, with more than three million copies in print. His books are best known for their detailed and humorous depictions of animal and human characters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Har...
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
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October 20, 2009This story is a hilarious twist on Jack and the Beanstalk. It is set in the Southwest and has some crazy character names that go along great with the setting and that I get a real kick out of such as: Annie Okey-Dokey and Wild Bill Hiccup. For me the illustrations are the most important part of this book. On almost every page there is either a cat, rabbit, or some other thing that appears with a little bubble above their heads with really funny sayings inside. The illustrations and the little added in funny quote bubbles really bring the story to life and add a lot more hilarity to this book.
September 18, 2012
Cute take on Jack and the Beanstalk. My kids loved it!
December 17, 2018
Western spin on a fairy-tale classic.
May 4, 2019
A western take on Jack and the Beanstalk that was just okay. Too long for the preschool crowd, but if you're doing a unit on fractured fairy tales with K-3 this one could fit the bill.
October 2, 2019
This book is a great western spin off of Jack and the Beanstalk. This would be great for those little cowboys and cowgirls to relate to in your class.
October 6, 2022
Super cute western twist on Jack and the Beanstalk.
July 25, 2025
funny.
April 9, 2015
This book tells a version of Jack and the Bean Stalk, but in this particular book, Jack lives on a ranch in the desert with his mom. He trades his cow to a peddler for a bag of magic beans, and a beanstalk starts to grow outside of his window. He climbs up the beanstalk to find a giant, who is actually a wanted criminal. The giant wants to eat Jack, but Jack escapes, and takes some of the giant's treasures with him. The uses a buffalo to pull on the bean stalk, then flings the giant across the desert. In the end, he returns home to show his mom all of the treasure he collected.
I actually found that I really enjoyed this version of Jack and the Bean Stalk. It was definitely a different take on the traditional story, but I liked the difference. The book was actually really funny, and used many different words that tied into the Western theme. I also thought the pictures in the book were very vivid, and they also added a lot to the story. In some of the pictures, the animals had thought bubbles that had really funny sayings, so those helped make the story come to life. I would definitely use this book in my classroom, and I would use it to have kids write their own version of a classic story. It would be a great way to spark their imaginations.
I actually found that I really enjoyed this version of Jack and the Bean Stalk. It was definitely a different take on the traditional story, but I liked the difference. The book was actually really funny, and used many different words that tied into the Western theme. I also thought the pictures in the book were very vivid, and they also added a lot to the story. In some of the pictures, the animals had thought bubbles that had really funny sayings, so those helped make the story come to life. I would definitely use this book in my classroom, and I would use it to have kids write their own version of a classic story. It would be a great way to spark their imaginations.
October 1, 2008
Summary: Jack is a cowboy from the west. He exchanges his family's last cow for some magic beans and chewing gum. His ma is furious and throws the beans on the ground. That night, the beans grow into a huge beanstalk. Jack climbs up the stalk only to find a giant castle at the top. He enters the castle and finds an outlaw giant. Jack steals the giant's buffalo, lasso, and banjo and escapes from the giant. Jack returns to his ma and they live happily ever after.
Uses: Read-aloud (maybe after you have read the original Jack and the Beanstalk), independent reading for transitional and fluent readers, recommend to students with an interest in the wild west or those who were amused by the original story.
Literary Devices: onomatopoeia, personification, hyperbole, similes, imagery
Social issues: stealing, courage, good vs. evil, poverty
Other: Fun spin-off of the original Jack and the Beanstalk, more enjoyable for children, includes a lot of humor
Uses: Read-aloud (maybe after you have read the original Jack and the Beanstalk), independent reading for transitional and fluent readers, recommend to students with an interest in the wild west or those who were amused by the original story.
Literary Devices: onomatopoeia, personification, hyperbole, similes, imagery
Social issues: stealing, courage, good vs. evil, poverty
Other: Fun spin-off of the original Jack and the Beanstalk, more enjoyable for children, includes a lot of humor
October 26, 2011
This is a different version of "Jack and the Beanstalk". I personally like the original better, but this one is okay too. I think I would have helped if I remember the original version a lot better. I would have this book as an optional reading. I think boys would probably like this book better than girls since it's old western-like. The illustrations are funny and I think the kids would like them.
December 4, 2014
2.75 Stars I really wanted to like this retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with a South Western American Flare...but I got bored....sigh!
The pictures are fun and well done but I just wanted the story to be over. The only fun part is the small bubbles of thought over the cat...he wants pizza...why not?! The cat is the highlight of the piece!
The pictures are fun and well done but I just wanted the story to be over. The only fun part is the small bubbles of thought over the cat...he wants pizza...why not?! The cat is the highlight of the piece!
August 11, 2008
This was a great story. It is the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but told as an American Western, and it has plenty of adult humor thrown in.
Its also really fun to read aloud, as I tend to do so with a drawl.
Its also really fun to read aloud, as I tend to do so with a drawl.
December 4, 2008
This is a hilarious take on the "Jack & the Beanstalk" idea! Set in a old west style them, Jack finds himself facing a giant and a buffalo that poops golden chips! Great illustrations and humor throughout, a great read for young and old!
April 11, 2009
Really well written Texas/Cowpoke Jack in the Beanstock story. Cute and charming illustrastions too
March 27, 2011
Cute parody of Jack and the Beanstalk - done in a Western theme. Great to discuss the difference from the original and/or to ask about how your child would write a version of the story.
May 11, 2015
Changed setting for Jack and the Beanstalk. Wild West. Long.
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December 5, 2017Title: Jack and the Giant
Author/Illustrator: Jim Harris
Genre: Non-European folktale
Theme(s): Conflict, solution, overcoming fear
Opening line/sentence:
Once there was a young cowpoke named jack, who lived with his ma, Annie Okey-Dokey, on a dusty little desert ranch.
Brief Book Summary:
This is a new rendition of Jack and in the Beanstalk taken place in Arizona. A giant has stolen all the cattle on the farm that Jack and hi mom live on. Jack’s mom sends him to the market with the cow they have left so he can sell it because they do not have food or money. Jack comes back with a bag of magic beans and gum that a peddler sold him on his way. Jack goes to talk to the giant and because of his bravery he got his cattle back home.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Ru Story-Huffman (Children's Literature)
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
A take-off of the classic "Jack and the Beanstalk," this version has our hero Jack living in the hot, Arizona desert with his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey. The mean 'ole giant has stolen the cattle from Jack and Annie's ranch, and Jack must sell Fred, their old milk cow. Jack trades Fred for some magic beans and the fun begins. As Jack climbs the magic beanstalk, he must prepare for his battle with Wild Bill Hiccup, the giant cattle rustler. Filled with bright, humorous illustrations, this version of the classic Jack tale will delight readers of all ages.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Shelle Rosenfeld (Booklist, February 1, 1998 (Vol. 94, No. 11))
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Appropriately subtitled, this version of the classic tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" gets a southwestern twist. Jack and his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey, live on a ranch in Arizona. A giant has stolen all their cattle, and they're forced to sell their last cow--which Jack trades for beans. The magic beanstalk this time leads to an adobe castle in the sky, where Jack encounters the giant cattle rustler Wild Bill Hiccup; from then on, the story takes its predictable turns. Filled with puns and twists, this re-telling is fun, though the humor sometimes borders on the crass (rather than a goose laying golden eggs, there's a buffalo laying golden chips). The cartoon-style art is big and bright, though the exaggerated features and characteristics, reminiscent of political cartoons, might intimidate the younger ones. Still, those familiar with the original will enjoy Jack in this new setting, and adults will appreciate some of the more sophisticated and sly asides down on the range.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of these reviews first give a summary of what the book is about. They then both talk about how this is a different version of Jack and the Beanstalk that takes place in Arizona. I would have to agree when the second one talks about the illustrations and how they are big and bright and they kind of resemble old political cartoons making if fun for the reader to look at.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is a that is designed to catch the eye for young readers. A new rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk. This book takes place in Arizona and the way the book is written and how the characters talk, you can tell. Throughout the story they also have a little cat that narrates something silly while the story is going on. This was a creative way to get the reader involved in more than one way.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Something that can be taught in the classroom is how pictures can help readers know whats going on in the story. This book has very elaborate and detailed pictures that could help readers get a better understanding of what is going on. A lesson could be taught to look at the different illustrations and have students alk about why they think it was drawn the way it was.
Author/Illustrator: Jim Harris
Genre: Non-European folktale
Theme(s): Conflict, solution, overcoming fear
Opening line/sentence:
Once there was a young cowpoke named jack, who lived with his ma, Annie Okey-Dokey, on a dusty little desert ranch.
Brief Book Summary:
This is a new rendition of Jack and in the Beanstalk taken place in Arizona. A giant has stolen all the cattle on the farm that Jack and hi mom live on. Jack’s mom sends him to the market with the cow they have left so he can sell it because they do not have food or money. Jack comes back with a bag of magic beans and gum that a peddler sold him on his way. Jack goes to talk to the giant and because of his bravery he got his cattle back home.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Ru Story-Huffman (Children's Literature)
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
A take-off of the classic "Jack and the Beanstalk," this version has our hero Jack living in the hot, Arizona desert with his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey. The mean 'ole giant has stolen the cattle from Jack and Annie's ranch, and Jack must sell Fred, their old milk cow. Jack trades Fred for some magic beans and the fun begins. As Jack climbs the magic beanstalk, he must prepare for his battle with Wild Bill Hiccup, the giant cattle rustler. Filled with bright, humorous illustrations, this version of the classic Jack tale will delight readers of all ages.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Shelle Rosenfeld (Booklist, February 1, 1998 (Vol. 94, No. 11))
http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
Appropriately subtitled, this version of the classic tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" gets a southwestern twist. Jack and his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey, live on a ranch in Arizona. A giant has stolen all their cattle, and they're forced to sell their last cow--which Jack trades for beans. The magic beanstalk this time leads to an adobe castle in the sky, where Jack encounters the giant cattle rustler Wild Bill Hiccup; from then on, the story takes its predictable turns. Filled with puns and twists, this re-telling is fun, though the humor sometimes borders on the crass (rather than a goose laying golden eggs, there's a buffalo laying golden chips). The cartoon-style art is big and bright, though the exaggerated features and characteristics, reminiscent of political cartoons, might intimidate the younger ones. Still, those familiar with the original will enjoy Jack in this new setting, and adults will appreciate some of the more sophisticated and sly asides down on the range.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Both of these reviews first give a summary of what the book is about. They then both talk about how this is a different version of Jack and the Beanstalk that takes place in Arizona. I would have to agree when the second one talks about the illustrations and how they are big and bright and they kind of resemble old political cartoons making if fun for the reader to look at.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
This book is a that is designed to catch the eye for young readers. A new rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk. This book takes place in Arizona and the way the book is written and how the characters talk, you can tell. Throughout the story they also have a little cat that narrates something silly while the story is going on. This was a creative way to get the reader involved in more than one way.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Something that can be taught in the classroom is how pictures can help readers know whats going on in the story. This book has very elaborate and detailed pictures that could help readers get a better understanding of what is going on. A lesson could be taught to look at the different illustrations and have students alk about why they think it was drawn the way it was.
January 28, 2019
This story is a good twist on the traditional version of the story. It could also be used if you were in a more urban area and students could relate more if they had experience with cattle or more country lifestyles. Super cute book!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews