This book is appropriate for primary readers (content warning: there is mention of death)
This book is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk through the lens of different cultures
This book could be useful in teaching about fairytale retellings

Doesn't quite live up to the delight that is [b:Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella|690483|Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal A Worldwide Cinderella|Paul Fleischman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1317066259l/690483._SX50_.jpg|676828]. I suspect that Fleischman wanted to create a boy-oriented equivalent for those who won't buy "princess" stories for boys, and as a result this tale feels a little more cobbled together than GSGS.

I was particularly thrown twice: first, when some of the "fearless child"'s siblings popped into the story apparently along for the ride instead of waiting back home for the child's triumphant return--I even checked to be sure I hadn't missed a page; and second, at the end when a princess mentioned nowhere else wishes for an inch-tall character to become average-height, implying a romantic ending that doesn't quite fit with the "child" theme.

It was also a little disappointing that "fearless child" is genderless and the introduction mentions "Molly Whuppie", but there didn't seem to be a girl child in the mix. Granted, there's no reason why most of the children pictured couldn't just as easily be boys as girls, but that does require a bit more imagination.

Paschkis's illustrations are, as always, absolutely stunning. I wish I had my copy of GSGS with me for comparison, but it looks like she again looked to the local cultures of the stories for inspiration. This works better with the versions of the stories not set in northern and central Europe, which have more distinct styles and settings than, say, England, France, Germany, and Denmark do. Perhaps true to its melting pot/tossed salad nature, the full-page spread inspired by a U.S. version of the story looks more like a mix of a couple styles than anything really distinct. I guess I should count my blessings that the page wasn't nationalistic red-white-and-blue!

A decent story and a beautiful book, but not one I feel compelled to save for my fairy tale picture book collection. ( )

This story is an untraditional take on the story we all know and love, Jack and the Beanstalk. The message is one we have all heard before, that no matter how small you can do anything you set your mind to. I was not a big fan of this book and the telling of it. I found it boring and the illustrations were very busy. ( )

An interesting take on folklore and comparative stories around the world ( )

Taking the different versions of several Fairy Tales the author weaves the different countries versions of the tales together. Combined with the exotic illustrations by Julie Paschkis, this is a lovely addition to add to anyone's collection of world stories or fairy tales. ( )