We all know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk—indeed, it appears all around the world in various forms. Here the author of the Newbery Medal Book Joyful Noise weaves elements from African, Asian, American, and European versions into a single narrative for readers 4 to 8, with Tom Thumb as the main character. In her folksy paintings, Julie Paschkis ingeniously renders the scenes in various styles associated with the different cultures, resulting in a visually stunning homage to world folklore.