Jack and the Beanstalk

The classic tale of boyhood spunk and upward mobility gets a solid retelling here. Smith's brisk, matter-of-fact narrative allows the story's inherent momentum, magic and music—including the familiar refrain of "Fee-fi-fo-fum!"—to shine through. Spanish artist Salán's crisp ink lines and sunny, neatly applied watercolor wash display a comic-strip sense of composition and character (especially Jack's openhearted face, dots for eyes, and pointy pug nose). Interestingly, Salán chooses not to illustrate the story's most dramatic moment, when Jack commands his mother to "Bring me the axe!" and chops down the beanstalk while the giant descends. Instead, a final chase among the clouds gives way to a scene of a now elegantly dressed Jack and his mother calmly gazing down from the clifftop, where the only reminder of the giant's demise is "a single red boot nestled in a treetop far below." That may actually be a plus for younger audiences who find the giant's rage too scary. All ages. (May)