Jim and the Beanstalk

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Raymond Briggs

Interest age: 3+
Reading age: 4+

Published by Penguin, 1973

Picture books

About this book

This is a fun, engaging re-telling of the original folklore story of Jack and the Beanstalk.

When Jim finds a beanstalk growing outside his window one morning, he can't resist climbing up. At the top, he finds a castle and a giant - Jim only wants to stay for breakfast, but once there he finds the occupant is in desperate need of help.

The book's unusual design, alternating between colour and black-and-white pages, is fascinating and accentuates Raymond Briggs' trademark attention to detail.

Although Jim and the Beanstalk is a picture book, some passages of text are on the long side, making it an excellent early reader story too. It is a delightful revival, which also doubles as a clever sequel.

About the author

Raymond Briggs was one of our most respected and beloved artists. Born in Wimbledon in 1934, he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and went on to produce a treasure trove of work. He created characters that are now icons for generations of children, including Fungus the Bogeyman, Father Christmas and, of course, the beloved Snowman. His original Mother Goose was published in 1966 and won the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal. His work has won numerous awards and been adapted for film on several occasions including Ethel and Ernest. He died in August 2022, aged 88.

Raymond Briggs was given the BookTrust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.