I have always loved this storyline and believe it to be a classic for audiences of all ages. The title page of the story immediately draws readers into the text and piques readers' curiosity. The magical aspects of the text are a great draw for young readers especially and the author does an excellent job of developing the characters described in the text, especially Jack himself. All in all, the author created a plot that set a great pace for read-aloud situations and a message to cherish the ones you love for the time you are able to spend with them. ( )