Different Versions of Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk is a classic fairy tale that has enchanted readers of all ages with its combination of courage and magic. But did you know that a handful of authors have added their own twist to this familiar tale? Whether you prefer the classic tale or a modern twist, these versions of Jack and the Beanstalk offer something for everyone to enjoy!

You can click on any of the titles below to learn more about each book. You can also find all of these Jack and the Beanstalk stories on my Amazon page.

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VERSIONS OF JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Dive into this collection of stories that bring new life into Jack’s climb up the magical beanstalk and his encounters with the giant.

Jack and the Beanstalk

by Steven Kellogg

Join young Jack as he climbs a giant beanstalk to a magic castle in the clouds. Meet a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that sings by itself. And don’t forget the ogre!

It’s NOT Jack and the Beanstalk

by Josh Funk

Jack is not fond of the bossy narrator of his fairy tale! When Jack is told to trade his beloved cow Bessie for some magic beans, throw the beans out the window, climb the ENORMOUS beanstalk that sprouts overnight, and steal from a GIANT, he decides this fairy tale is getting out of control. In fact, he doesn’t want to follow the story line at all. Who says Jack needs to enter a life of daring thievery, and giant trickery? He takes his story into his own hands―and you’ll never guess what happens next!

Trust Me, Jack’s Beanstalk Stinks!

by Eric Braun

OF COURSE you think I was the bad guy, terrifying poor little Jack. You don’t know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you…

This book tells the story of Jack and the Beanstalk as told by The Giant.

Jack and the Beanstalk and the French Fries

by Mark Teague

FEE FI FO FUM!

When Jack trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans, he gets more beans than he ever expected or wanted. It’s bean porridge for breakfast! Bean salad for lunch! Bean chowder for dinner! It doesn’t take long before Jack is tired of eating nothing but beans–no matter how nutritious! But just as he’s about to chop down his magic beanstalk, he meets a grumpy giant, who is just as sick and tired of beans as he is. Together, Jack and the giant cook up a plan to plant a vegetable garden full of tomatoes, corn, carrots, and russet potatoes that’s bound to satisfy everyone.

Jack and the Beanstalk

by Nina Crews

Jack receives beans as pay for a job he completes and lo and behold, those beans lead him up a beanstalk and into the company of giants! In her innovative photo-collage style, Nina Crews freshens up a beloved children’s tale for today’s young readers.

Jack and the Beanstalk

by John Cech

John Cech retells this popular story with humor and warmth, adding plenty of entertaining detail and bringing in some less familiar elements, too. (For example, when Jack escapes for the last time, the giant’s wife comes along with him, and becomes his mother’s good friend.) And Robert Mackenzie’s art captures all the magic of the huge beanstalk and the giant’s oversized world up in the clouds.

Jack and the Beanstalk: A Folktale

by Nina Töwe

Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum!

Jack and his mother are so poor they decide to sell their faithful brown cow. But Jack takes only a handful of beans from a stranger in exchange for the animal! His mother is furious but little does she know that these beans are magic and soon will grow into an enormous beanstalk reaching as far as the eye can see. And at the very top lives a terrifying Giant who Jack must outwit to survive.

Whatever After: Spill the Beans

by Sara Mlynowski

My brother Jonah’s dream has come true. We have FINALLY landed in his favorite fairy tale: Jack and the Beanstalk!

It’s a lot of fun meeting Jack. But then we accidentally mess up his story, which means Jack can’t climb up the magic beanstalk to find the giant’s riches. It’s time to take matters into our own hands.

Now we have to:

– Make a deal with a sneaky trader

– Climb a beanstalk into the sky

– Try not to get eaten by a giant

– Find the goose that lays golden eggs

Otherwise, Jack won’t get his treasure, and our troubles will be GIGANTIC . . .

Daddy and the Beanstalk

by Andrew Weiner

Did you know that Jack was looking for hot dogs when he climbed up the beanstalk? Or that he was led there by a talking fox named Wendy?

Ok, maybe that’s not how the real story goes, but when Estella’s dad, Andrew, tells her bedtime stories, she’s always in for a bit of twist!

A hilarious modern retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, Daddy and the Beanstalk is a recipe for fun and adventure—with a hint of magic.

Jack and the Beanstalk

by Paul Galdone

Young readers are sure to delight in Galdone’s version of this classic story, and the lively illustrations and rhythmic storytelling make it perfect for reading aloud with little ones. With a gorgeous cover in keeping with the rest of the Folk Tale Classics series, the story of Jack and his magic bean has never been more irresistible.

Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child

by Paul Fleischman

The story of a child confronting a man-eating giant or witch is told the world over. These heroes go by many names and might be normal in size or no bigger than a thumb. Though they’re often scorned for being the youngest and smallest, they’re well-armed with cleverness and courage.

Jack: The (Fairly) True Tale of Jack and the Beanstalk

by Liesl Shurtliff

All his life, Jack has longed for an adventure, so when giants turn up in the neighbor’s cabbage patch, he is thrilled! Soon Jack is chasing them to a land beyond the clouds, with his little sister, Annabella, in tow. The kingdom of giants is full of super-sized fun: puddings to swim in, spoons to use as catapults, monster toads to carry off pesky little sisters. . . .

But Jack and Annabella are on a mission. The king of the giants has taken something that belongs to them, and they’ll do anything—even dive into a smelly tureen of green bean soup—to get it back.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE STORIES

If your students have read several versions of Jack and the Beanstalk, now would be a great time to compare and contrast those stories. Students can write the similarities and differences with the characters, setting, plot, and illustrations.

You can download this FREE compare and contrast graphic organizer here. I also have a set of printable AND digital graphic organizers for both fiction and nonfiction here.