Jack and the Beanstalk (My First Fairy Tales)

PreS--In these gentle versions of the classic tales, Alperin softens some of the harsher elements. In Beanstalk, Jack is not a thief like he is in so many other retellings and taking the giant's hen is more of a rescue (a tightly caged hen entreats him, "Help!...Set me free and I'll lay you golden eggs every morning!"). Chambers's delightfully colorful illustrations are superb and always a tad humorous. The giantess and giant are quite modern-looking, from her bright red lipstick to his purple pants-suit. The giant's barbarous personality is differentiated from the civilized giantess's by his lolling tongue and underbite, which identify him as a threat but are not grotesquely scary. In Red Riding Hood, readers are spared the horror of two characters being eaten (and later being cut out of a slain wolf's belly), as occurs in the original. Schauer's illustrations are engaging, with bright colors and contrast that hold readers' attention. The wolf is especially cartoonish with an enjoyable range of facial expressions. VERDICT Solid purchases for collections in need of preschool-friendly versions of these traditional tales.--Sara White, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL