Jack

Farm boy Jack wants to live in the city. Along the way, he picks up a chick, duck, goose, etc., each one declaring its own interest in city digs. Young children will like the simple pattern of the story as well as the cumulating sound effects. DePaola dresses the journey in his most sumptuous colors, with a landscape of deep greens, grays, and purples.

Copyright 2015 Hornbook, LLC Used with permission.

In this small treasure from master storyteller dePaola, a young man named Jack is seen in a half-timbered house, a quill and a candle on the desk behind him. His direct gaze and tranquil half-smile give him the air of a medieval saint. "Grandpa," he says, "I want to see the world and make new friends and live in a house in the city." "Why don't you go to the city and ask the king?" Grandpa suggests kindly. Jack sets off, meeting a series of animals who ask him where he's going. "We're going to the city to ask the king for a house," he tells each one in traditional fairy tale style. Before long he's assembled a riotous, Bremen Town Musician-like group of animals who moo, bah, oink, and whoo all the way to the city. Their cries, carved on rubber stamps, are scattered on the pages, creating the visual equivalent of a cheerful din. And because it's a fairy tale, the king gives them a house big enough for everyone. As a bonus, many spreads hide scenes from familiar nursery rhymes, adding to the book's readaloud charm. Ages 3-5. (Sept.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1--In this spin on traditional folktales, Jack yearns to "see the world and make new friends and live in a house in the city." His grandfather advises him to seek the king's counsel. Setting off on his quest, the country boy encounters a chick that asks to come along. In cumulative fashion, a duck, a goose, a dog, and others soon join the joyful parade. When the motley crew arrive at the palace, the king presents them with keys to a big, dilapidated house. The final scene reveals a cacophony of animal sounds coming from the fixer-upper and an old man grumbling, "There goes the neighborhood." His wife wittily quips, "And it's about time." DePaola's trademark illustrations are warmly inviting and feature many nursery-rhyme characters in the backgrounds, such as Jack and Jill heading up a hill and Little Red Riding Hood entering the forest. Preschoolers will root for the plucky hero as he pursues his dreams and eagerly chime in with the pleasing repetitive phrases.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

* "[A] small treasure from master storyteller dePaola. . . . Before long he's assembled a riotous, Bremen Town Musician-like group of animals who moo, bah, oink, and whoo all the way to the city. Their cries, carved on rubber stamps, are scattered on the pages, creating the visual equivalent of a cheerful din. . . . As a bonus, many spreads hide scenes from familiar nursery rhymes, adding to the book's readaloud charm." — Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"DePaola's trademark illustrations are warmly inviting and feature many nursery-rhyme characters in the backgrounds. . . . Preschoolers will root for the plucky hero as he pursues his dreams and eagerly chime in with the pleasing repetitive phrases." — School Library Journal

"A new tale from dePaola is always a reason to cheer, and this riff on "Jack" tale variants will bring smiles. . . . Repeated rubber stamps of each animal's sound (and individualized colors) add zip (and noise) to dePaola's signature style and palette. . . . Everyone will enjoy the fun." — Kirkus Reviews

"Clever riff on a traditional story motif. . . . dePaola embellishes his story with rich visual detail, including vividly colored printed sound effects . . . which afford a visual representation of the burgeoning cacophony. . . . There is an added depth to dePaola's recognizable style, with a combination of subtly varied textures and brilliant color . . . giving the outing a traditional grounding and a contemporary flair. There goes the neighborhood, and it never looked better." — Booklist

"Young children will like the simple pattern of the story as well as the cumulating sound effects. . . . DePaola dresses the journey in his most sumptuous colors. . . . Storytime audiences will enjoy the trip as well as the sly cameo appearances by nursery-rhyme favorites." — The Horn Book