The Hawkinses (the Fingerwiggles series) embrace the fractured fairy tale tradition in a paper-over-board book that comes with its own full-size, four-page newspaper (enclosed in a pocket on the last page). But the results are mixed. At the behest of Jack's impoverished mother—"We haven't got a bean," she notes—Jack becomes a paperboy for the Fairytale News
("The top stories once upon a time and ever after!"). Deliveries on his route become jumping off points for the authors to revisit the tales of "Goldilocks," "Red Riding Hood" and, finally, "Jack and the Beanstalk." The book's promising start and the sprightly, cartooned spot illustrations turn out to be red herrings; readers looking for irreverence—or any sustained humor—will be disappointed. Other than a feeble twist on the Jack story (the giant likes the newspaper so much that he gives Jack tips of gold coins to deliver it daily), the story never takes flight. The source for the real giggles is the accompanying newspaper, which spoofs not only the classic tales but also all the features of a grown-up's edition, including the sports page and classifieds. Young inquiring minds will learn, among other things, that Humpty Dumpty is resting comfortably in the hospital after his fall and that the Big Bad Wolf is responding to charges of impersonating Grandma Hood with a cross-dressing defense ("I like pretty things," he retorts). Unfortunately, the cleverness of the paper outshines that of the book itself. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
