Jack's Tale

by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Taking a unique perspective on the plot of fairy tales, an author asks Jack, despite his unease, to be a character in her latest tale, instructing him where to start, what to do, and to be careful on his adventure.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Library Binding

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Ellen is the daughter of Joseph Adolphus (a businessman) and Nell (Orum) Stoll; married David Albert Walsh (a professor), August 25, 1964; children: Benjamin Martin. She was educated at Maryland Institute of Art, B.F.A., 1964; attended University of Minnesota, 1966-69.
She lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack’s Tale is a book geared to teach children the mechanics of story development.

Jack, the main character of the story, tells the author he’s not interested in being in a story about fairy tales because he is afraid of trolls. The author explains how the trolls are relevant to the story.

Author Walsh did a good job in demonstrating how developing story works.

[Erin Reading with the Kids! · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conceit of having the author talking to the main character was cute and thought provoking for my 5 year old.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be read to wee-beasties up to middle school beasties learning about character, plot and setting. This is my absolute favorite book from my favorite children's author.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack the frog does not want to be in a fairy tale but he sets out to rescue a princess.