Bigger and Better

In Bigger and Better Kaye Umansky gives us a characteristically humorous take on the Jack and the Beanstalk story, told from the point of view of Vi the giantess, whose husband, Bigsy, is the lumbering, thoughtless giant at the top of the beanstalk.  Poor Vi, who loves little things, thimbles, butterflies, kittens, seashells, is surrounded by huge, insensitive and selfish family members.  So, when Jack turns up from Tiddly Land Vi is enchanted, despite his strange, rap-style way of speaking and his shocking habit of stealing things.

This funny re-telling of a traditional story has plenty of jokes and wordplay to keep readers amused and Ben Whitehouse’s cartoon-style illustrations add to the comic mood.  The author also manages to incorporate some sharp social observation and a sympathetic central character into a short, readable story presented with Barrington Stoke’s trademark dyslexia-friendly layout and production.