Starred review from August 6, 2012
The grossness quotient has gone up in Gidwitz’s companion to A Tale Dark and Grimm, his grisly reimagining of classic fairy tales. Translation: this second foray is even more enjoyable than the author’s acclaimed debut. The protagonists in this installment are Jack, Jill, and a talking frog, whose adventures begin separately in reworkings of “The Frog Prince” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” before the three join forces in “Jack and the Bean-stalk.” Parental cruelties are more ordinary this time—mockery, neglect, and recrimination—but what the children find in their quest for the Seeing Glass is horrifying enough to compensate for any perceived softness at the outset. When Jill rescues Jack atop the beanstalk by accepting the giants’ eating challenge, even the Monty Python gang might cringe at the results—it’s the phrase “no guts, no glory” brought to Technicolor life. Gidwitz can do nuance, too, as Jill’s perilous encounter with a sympathetic mermaid demonstrates. Technically polished, and with more original content, this romp has lost none of the edge of its predecessor. Ages 10–up. Agent: Sarah Burnes, the Gernert Company.
Starred review from July 29, 2013
This companion to Gidwitz’s popular A Tale Dark & Grimm tells the tales of Jack and Jill via a series of reimagined adventures inspired by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Veteran narrator Jonny Heller dives headfirst into these colorful fantasies with vigor and unbridled enthusiasm, creating an endless array of colorful characters that will delight audiences both young and old. Heller’s delivery is perfect for every character, and his excellent performance is on display right from the start. Listeners will find themselves hooked by the end of the first chapter, in part because Heller understands the role and responsibilities of the audio narrator—a role he clearly cherishes—and delivers a spirited performance. Ages 10–up. A Dutton hardcover.