Summary: This book is about a poor widow and a lazy son names Jack. They decide to sell their cow because it was all they had left. The butcher convinces Jack to trade his cow for some beans. The mother was angry and threw the beans out of the window. A huge beanstalk grew and Jack climbed it. Jack was tired and knocked on the door of the giant’s wife who fed him and hid him. Jack watched as the giant held a hen that laid golden eggs. He ran home and showed it to his delighted mother. Jack wanted more and went back to watch as the Giant counted moneybags, he took them to his mother and they bought, food, a new house and new clothes. Jack over time still wanted more so he returned up the beanstalk. The giant had a harp this time and when Jack tried to take it after the giant was asleep the harp yelled “master” and the giant chased Jack. Jack ran and got an ax to chop the beanstalk down while the giant was on it and the giant was killed. Jack and his mother lived happily ever after.
Personal response: I loved this story and remember reading it when I was little. The story is fun and the giants chant is something the kids can participate in during the reading.
Classroom extensions:
1. Create your own chant for the fi fo fum part, have the class create a chant and use it in place of the original chant next time the book is read.
2. Have a theater play and act out the story of Jack and the beanstalk.