Not a retelling, but a slightly pruned rendition of Joseph Jacobs's classic--the flavor is retained, with no vital omissions (though some of the drama is transferred from the verbal to the pictorial), but some transitions seem abrupt. Kellogg's illustrations are grand: characters are broadly depicted, from a wide-eyed Jack to a truly gruesome ogre with just a hint of Pinkerton to keep him from being too scary; the story's dramatic side is elaborated with gusto (dark shadows in the heroic-scale castle) and leavened with Kellogg trademarks (e.g., a quartet of affectionate cats); the creatively boxed text is unusually well integrated with the illustrations. An excellent introduction to a favorite. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-10)
