10 Reasons You Need It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk

The students at my school--and their teachers, too--have been waiting anxiously for a new picture book that publishes today.

Today is the release day for It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk, a hilarious new take on a traditional fairytale, written by Josh Funk and illustrated by Edwardian Taylor, published by Two Lions.

In June, the students at Oxford Elementary School were lucky to be visited by author Josh Funk. While here to celebrate the sequel to his well-known Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, Josh treated the students to an early look at It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk. With a little help from a few other "characters," Josh brought his story to life for our students, projecting a digital version and sharing the reading readers theater style. It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk brought smiles to students faces and--most certainly--laughter.

Oxford Elementary students got a sneak peek of It's Not Jack
and the Beanstalk when Josh Funk visited in June.

The students' warm feelings about Josh Funk's new release stayed with them, and when I pulled It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk off the shelf for a quick reread last week there were immediate cheers and comments from the students about how much they love this book. And then came the begging.

"Can we please read it again?"

So we did.

And then, they responded. I asked them to help me think of reasons why teachers need It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk for their classroom. Here's our compiled list:

10 Reasons Why Teachers Need It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk

10. It's written by Josh Funk. (Daeson)
9.  The characters' voices and personalities make this book a lot of fun to read aloud. (Ms. Guerrette)
8.  For kids who are learning to read, it can be a play. (Kenadie)
7.  If you are having a bad day, you need to read (It's Not) Jack and the Beanstalk. (Gracie)
6.  The narrator is a part of the story and interacts with the characters. (Brady)
5.  The illustrations are playful and bright, adding to the larger-than-life personality of the characters. (Ms. Guerrette)
4.  It's a happily ever after story. (Kaedence)
3.  You get to like it really easily because it is so funny! (Logan)
2.  Even the title is funny! (Cecile)
1.  You will laugh. (Lauren)

And after all, isn't that really what's most important?

My students and I are happy to celebrate the book birthday of It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk and we're already looking forward to It's Not Hansel and Gretel coming in the spring of 2019. We wish you and your classes many happy reads (and rereads)!