Synopses & Reviews
In this imaginative interpretation of the nursery rhyme and#147;The House That Jack Built,and#8221; young Jack builds an amazing fort in the middle of the living room, using the chairs, blankets, and other objects on hand. Unfortunately, those objects belong to his family members, so when they want their things backand#151;there goes the walls and roof! Jack struggles to keep his fortress going as it crumbles piece by piece. Finally, Grandma saves the day with her quilts for a sweet, satisfying ending filled with family fun. Boni Ashburnand#8217;s text is brought to life by acclaimed illustrator Brett Helquist, whose lively style takes this tale beyond the living room and into the world of adventure.
Praise for The Fort That Jack Built
"Helquist's colorful illustrations truly capture the active imaginative play of youngsters in this humorous variation of the nursery rhyme."
--Booklist
"Rich but retro color palette."
--Kirkus Reviewsand#160;
Review
"[A] spirited interpretation of this cumulative rhyme....Ancillary images and asides accompany the vividly hued mixed-media illustrations and hand-lettered text that introduce the invading characters....A zany and fun take on this 18th-century classic." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Taback is very, very clever....The adventure inside is downright hilarious....Every page contains a variety of tongue-in-cheek references that may go over the heads of some kids but those who get them will love them....Children will love this book, and it's a natural for story hour." School Library Journal
Review
"With his familiar mixed-media collage, Taback raises the roof on this familiar cumulative rhyme. Clever touches abound inside and out....There hasn't been a lively telling of this tale in years, and Taback puts a new house on the market and hits the nail on the head with this boisterous, rollicking version." Julie Cummins, Booklist (Starred Review)
Synopsis
Caldecott Award-winner Simms Taback infuses this favorite children's rhyme with his distinctive, creative flair and humor. His Jack builds a house like no other and fills it with cheeses from all nations, which of course attracts the rat that stirs up the cat.
Taback takes the usual case of characters in this classic cumulative rhyme and presents each in a funny new light that will keep readers laughing. His addition at the end neatly fits an appropriate character into Jack's story and makes his telling even more unique.
About the Author
Simms Taback grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cooper Union. He has worked as an art director and a graphic designer, and has taught at the School of Visual Arts and Syracause University. He has illustrated many children's books, including
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (Viking),
Spacy Riddles,
Snakey Riddles,
Buggy Riddles, and
Fishy Riddles (all written by Katy Hall and lIsa Eisenberg, Dial). His work has won many awards, including the Caldecott Honor Award Medal for
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and a
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. A father of three and grandfather of three, Mr. Taback lives with his wife in Willow, New York copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
Simms Taback grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Cooper Union. He has worked as an art director and a graphic designer, and has taught at the School of Visual Arts and Syracause University. He has illustrated many children's books, including I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (Viking), Spacy Riddles, Snakey Riddles, Buggy Riddles, and Fishy Riddles (all written by Katy Hall and lIsa Eisenberg, Dial). His work has won many awards, including the Caldecott Honor Award Medal for I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. A father of three and grandfather of three, Mr. Taback lives with his wife in Willow, New York copyright ? 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.