JACK AND THE GIANT BARBECUE

A Wild West spin on the classic fairy tale.

Little Jack loves barbecue; he'd ride his pony across the West Texas mountains for a taste of fine ribs. He brings his mother to tears when he asks her to make some for him, and she tells Jack the sad tale of his daddy. He made the finest barbecue for miles around until a mean giant came and stole daddy's recipe book, leaving him so heartbroken that he shriveled up and died. Jack makes a vow on the spot. The next morning, he rides his pony to Mount Pecos and starts his arduous climb. At the top is the giant's barbecue restaurant, all rundown, dirty and busted-up. The giant sits in a back room, eating his fill of barbecue. Daddy's book sits in a slot of a magic jukebox, which is hankering to escape. When the giant falls asleep, Jack makes a quick getaway, riding the jukebox like a stallion. Before long, the giant jerks awake and gives chase in his pickup, across the clouds. He's going so fast that his truck smashes into the mountains, flattening them. It's been that way ever since. And Jack? He opens a restaurant with Ma, where the jukebox happily plays. Mmm! It's a rollicking adaptation, with many amusing tall-tale touches. Manders' illustrations, in gouache and colored pencil, match the energy of the text.

Good fractured fun