Manju Gregory. Illustrated by David Anstey
Translated from English by Maria Helena Thomas
Mantra Lingua (2004), PB, £7.50
ISBN: I 84444 102 4
The tale tells the story of Jill, Jack’s sister, who goes to the market to sell a cow. In her way to the market, Jill trades the cow for magic beans instead of money. When she comes back home, her mum, in anger, throws them on the floor. During the night, the beans grow into a beanstalk that reaches the sky. Jill climbs up the stalk that will take her to a giant’s land.
Jill’s story is a new version of the traditional tale. The story written in rhyme has references to popular nursery rhymes, which are provided in full at the end of the book. The colourful illustrations complement well this story written in dual language.
The book published in English- Spanish parallel text is suitable for children reading Spanish and those who are learning Spanish as a foreign language. Maria Helena’s beautiful translation in rhyme makes this book fully enjoyable for readers of both languages.
Recommended reading age: 6 - 9
