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Kate and the Beanstalk

Kate and the Beanstalk

Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrator: Giselle Potter
Age or Grade: 3rd to 5th graders

This is a different version of Jack and the Beanstalk and the main character is a girl instead of a boy. It all started when Kate’s mother was in desperate need of food and money for they are poor. She wanted to sell the cow so Kate helped by selling it and ended up selling it from an old man who has seeds. They both exchanged and Kate’s mother got furious and threw the seeds out the window. The seeds then grew up and up through the clouds above. Kate then climbed it and encountered a challenge for her with the giantess. Each day she has a duty to do and disguises herself. Once the giant found out about her disguises and getting the 3 needed things, the giant chased her until Kate has to cut the beanstalk. Queen of the Fairies then approached Kate and her mother to grant her for her accomplishments and her inheritance for bravery. She and her mother then lived happily ever after in the castle.


This is a great book to read to 3rd grade and the 4th and 5th grades can read it individually. It is a different kind of version for it is a girl instead of the well known story of Jack and the Beanstalk. I think this is a unique book because it is different from the usual and it has good illustrations with the wordings. The words are spread through out the page and it expands to emphasize what the word means or it is referring to. This is a long book to read aloud therefore I will have to spread it throughout the day. This is a good book about morals, bravery, and helping others.

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