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pwbalto's review against another edition
2.0
... and tries to give it to the spoiled, pissy princess. Love Jack, wish he had someone more worthy to bend over backward and risk life and limb and sacrifice all his stuff for. I believe Candace Fleming didn't really mean to put up this snitty girl - I admire Ms. Fleming's work in a big way. If Clever Jack's story were paired with one in which Miss Princess exhibits courage and/or resourcefulness in order to help Jack, I could see this working really well.
daisycakesco's review against another edition
4.0
Probably a bit long for most preschoolers, but the class I read it to sat mesmerized. Jack is invited to the princess's birthday party, but he is poor and has nothing to give her. Using his creativity, he manages to get the ingredients to make a two layer cake with candles, a giant strawberry, and the words "Happy Birthday Princess" written on top with walnuts. On his way to the palace, however, he encounters obstacles that lead to him having nothing to give the princesses. Or DOES he? A lovely new folktale with engaging illustrations from G. Brian Karas.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
A fun story. Could be paired with "Something from Nothing" by Simms Taback.
jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
March 2017 - this reads like a fairy tale and is a great adventure story on several levels (and good for birthdays, too). There's a lot I love about it - resourcefulness, not giving up, making the best of a bad situation, the power of storytelling, etc. But there are a few things that bother me the more I read this story (earlier this month I read it to a first grade class and they ate it up - definite hit): sure, it's generous of Jack to bring the princess a cake, but he sells their few belongings to do so. Also, who brings a cake to someone else's birthday? And I get that the princess is bored of her fancy presents, but she's a bit of a brat about it. And don't get me started on the guard - couldn't he have let Jack eat the strawberry - the poor kid who just trotted across the country? On a more serious note, I wish Fleming didn't use the pejorative term gypsy to describe the old woman. Anyway, most of the these types of criticisms could be leveled at any fairy tale - "really, you expect a fairy tale to be logical??" They don't stop me from enjoying the story, clearly, but stop me from totally loving it.
yabooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
Smart and funny. I love this story and the different elements from other tales.
katieckb's review against another edition
4.0
A heartwarming story about a peasant named Jack who wants to attend the princess’s birthday party. He goes through a huge effort and adventure to bake a cake for her and then bring it to her at the castle.
middle_name_joy's review against another edition
4.0
Clever Jack Takes the Cake is a unique fairy tale that delights with--you guessed it--cleverness! Children will adore the predictable pattern and enjoy the hijinx that Jack encounters on the way to the Princess' birthday party, but the happily ever after will make them smile.