Clever Jack Takes the Cake (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Clever Jack Takes the Cake Deborah Stevenson Fleming, Candace . Clever Jack Takes the Cake;; illus by G. Brian Karas. Schwartz & Wade, 2010. 40p Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-95697-3 $20.99 Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-375-84979-4 $17.99 R 5-8 yrs. Jack may be poor, but he’s determined to join the other children of the realm at the princess’ tenth birthday party. He therefore makes a luscious cake, decorated and decked with candles, for the birthday girl. Unfortunately, on the long trip to the palace, he’s beset by birds, a troll, a dancing bear, and a hungry guard, each of whom take a portion of the cake, leaving Jack facing the princess emptyhanded— or so he thinks. It’s a little hard that poor starving Jack deprives himself for a frippery and goes back to scarcity at the end, but otherwise this is an amiable folktale-modeled adventure. Its traditional structure provides rhythm and clarity, and audiences will enjoy the cameo appearances from lore favorites such as fourand- twenty blackbirds and a lone bridge troll. Karas interprets this folkloric world through his own inimitable style; there’s actually a touch of game landscape to Jack’s winding path through the neatly spaced obstructions, and his homey, rough-hewn style adds a touch of accessibility to the magical fairy-tale world and tapestry-hung palace. The conclusion—Jack’s story of his adventures is the best gift of all—sets the book up conveniently as an entrée to a discussion of favorite stories and best gifts, even if listeners secretly (or not so secretly) think the princess would rather have had that cake. [End Page 74] Copyright © 2010 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois