Look Out Jack! the Giant Is Back! (original 2001; edition 2003)

The kids that I read this to thought the most interesting part of this book was the giant having green feet. They weren't far off. It wasn't a bad story, but it was pretty easy to see where it was going from the start. Birdseye tried to turn a pretty well played out story into a story with a little more mileage left in the tank. Giving it an American tall tale style rebirth helped a little. The smelly, green foot gag helped a little more. Managing to avoid killing another giant and successfully dispatching him at the same time was probably his finest touch. Overall, the story was okay. I'll probably forget it before too very long, but it was fun while it lasted. ( )

Just when you thought the story of Jack and the Bean Stalk had ended Tom Birdseye write this book! Look Out Jack! the Giant Is Back! is about the dead giant's big brother coming after Jack for the bags of coins, the hen that laid golden eggs, and the magic singing harp. Jack must find a way to outwit the giant again so that he does not get spread like mustard on toast! The illustrations cover up every inch of the page with great detail and color. There is even a part of the book where you have to turn the book vertically in order to see the picture correctly. This is imaginative and makes the book interactive. I believe this would capture the attention of children with Jack's clever and wit. The writing is a lengthy story with descriptive words and character personality. I highly recommend this book to any age. ( )

Summary: The giants brother comes back to get everything Jack took from the giant. He came up with several clever ideas to get the giant away.

Personal reaction: This book was really cute and it was fun to see the other side of the story from Jack and the Beanstalk.

Classroom extensions: This book would be a good one to read if you were trying to explain to your students that there is alwasy going to be two sides of a story.

The Giants brother from "Jack and the Beanstalk" has decided he is going to take revenge on Jack for killing his brother. The Giant wants Jack to give him the gold, the harp, and the hen back, but Jack refuses. In the end Jack and his smart witts get away from the Giant once more.

I didnt really like this story. It did not hold my attention for very long. Saying this, I didn't not care for Jack in the Beanstalk very much either. Its just not one of my favorites.

Classroom activities: The students would draw their view of the giant. I would hang these pictures around the room.
Activity #2: I would ask the students to tell me what they think the Giant could have done differently to maybe win the battle with Jack. They would have to write this in paragraph form.

Summary:
This story deals with how the giant wants revenge on Jack for stealing his possesions. Jack and his mom cook up a very big meal for the giant to distract him. Instead, the giant comes prepared and thinks of ways to get at Jack. All the giant wants is for Jack to give back what belongs to the giant. KnowingJack he continues to bring more food to the giant. Once the giant is done eating he does not feel too well. And then he burps and then takes off his shoes, which almost defeated Jack. But smart Jack goes for the red roses and again outbeats the giant.

Personal Reaction:
I really enjoyed the book because it shows it from a different viewpoint. Sometimes we forget to consider what others might have felt and I believe this book does a good job in showing the giant's perspective. I also really enjoyed the rhyming in the story, kids will really want to particpate.

Classroom Extension:
I would use this book to teach on bullying, hygene, and table manners. Students can draw maps and find food or the giants possesions. They can also show everyone what they beleive are table manners. Also the positives on having good hygene. ( )