I don't know for sure if dat story is true, But down where de Cajuns live on de bayou, When dey tell dem stories, dey shore like to talk About dat boy Jacques and his magic beanstalk. You know the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but you've never heard it like this before. Told in Cajun dialect with a distinct bayou flair, this book is perfect for reading aloud. There is even a glossary and pronunciation guide to help! The creators of Petite Rouge (which Publishers Weekly called "a sassy, spicy outing") once again deliver a hilarious twist on a well-known fairy tale.   Grade 1–3—Artell and Harris's earlier Cajun retellings were celebrated for the clever regional twist they gave to familiar folktales. While Jacques and de Beanstalk uses that same voice, the story itself retains its original structure; there are no roles filled by alligators and no villains defeated with hot sauce. As such, the only value added to the canon by this version is that of accent. The combination of rhyme, rhythm, length, and dialect makes the story rather difficult to read aloud. The author seems aware that this may be the case and provides a glossary and pronunciation guide at the front, along with suggestions for how to emphasize the beats of each verse. A small quibble: the glossary defines " mon dieu " as French for "my goodness"—while this usage is correct, technically it translates as "My God." The illustrations are skillfully rendered in watercolor and pencil with a humorous over-the-top quality that suits the tall tale. The giant in particular is quite grotesque with his overgrown toenails and pointy head. As in this team's earlier books, a mouse (unmentioned in the text) accompanies the hero and takes part in the adventure. While it lacks the clever charm of the earlier volumes, this is a lively Beanstalk story, and it will be enjoyed where its precursors are popular.— Heidi Estrin, Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel, Boca Raton, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Having delivered two successful Cajun-style fairytale retellings (Petite Rouge, 2001, and Three Little Cajun Pigs, 2006), Artell and Harris team up for the Cajun version of another familiar tale. Most of the usual elements of the classic tale are present; however, the setting is a bayou and the rhyming text is in the Cajun dialect. Pleasant watercolor-and-pencil illustrations featuring expressive characters expertly convey the drama, with Jacques perilously high on the beanstalk and the giant looming large. Jacques is not pictured as a simpleton, but rather as industrious, wide-eyed, and tricked by the oily magic-bean man. While the dialect is heavy, it is easily accessible even for those to whom it is unfamiliar. A suggested technique for reading the story aloud is given at the front of the book, along with the short glossary. Pair with Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne (2000) and Look Out, Jack! The Giant Is Back! by Tom Birdseye (2001) for interesting contrasts and comparisons. Preschool-Grade 2. --Randall Enos Mike Artell is an award-winning children's book author, illustrator and television cartoonist. Mike's books include nationally recognized lift-the-flap board books for small children and non-fiction books for older children. Mike has also written and illustrated teacher and parent resource books on subjects as diverse as ecology, parties, drawing and young authorship. In addition to his work as an author and illustrator, Mike also has extensive experience as: · A musician who plays guitar, bass, keyboard and blues harmonica. · A storyteller who regularly performs original poems and tales. · A newspaper editorial cartoonist. · A magazine and greeting card writer and cartoonist. · A keynote speaker for major educational conferences. · A marketing consultant/board member for several high technology companies. · The host of his own television cartooning show. Each year, Mike shares his books and his writing/drawing techniques with thousands of students at dozens of schools across the country. During that same year, Mike typically writes and illustrates 2 books, conducts 6 teacher workshops, addresses 10 educational conferences and visits 6 libraries or children's museums. Mike also conducts "author/illustrator in residence" programs at schools. Mike has personally guided more than 4,000 students through the process of writing and illustrating their own picture books. For this work, Mike was recognized by the Northshore (LA) chapter of the International Reading Association for "exemplary service in the promotion of literacy." Several of Mike's books have been award-winners. Most recently, Mike's astronomy book for children, Starry Skies , was named a 1998 Best Science Book For Children by Science Books and Films magazine, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Mike's books have also been