Clever Jack Takes the Cake

Author Candace Fleming On Tour
Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Paperback
$8.99 US
| $12.50 CAN
On sale Nov 12, 2024 | 40 Pages | 9780593813515
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
Reading Level: Lexile AD600L | Fountas & Pinnell O
Take a bite out of this deliciously funny original fairy tale, which received four starred reviews and was named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and the Bank Street College of Education.

What would you do if you were invited to the princess’s tenth birthday party but didn’t have money for a gift? Well, clever Jack decides to bake the princess a cake.

Now he just has to get it to the castle in one piece. What could possibly go wrong?

Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas, creators of the bestselling picture book Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, have teamed up again to bring us a modern fairy tale starring a determined boy and a story-loving princess with a good sense of humor. While girls will fall for a story featuring a princess’s birthday party, Jack’s adventures with trolls, bears, and gypsies make this the perfect read for young boys as well—and ideal for storytime.
  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • WINNER | 2010
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • WINNER | 2010
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2010
    Parents' Choice Recommended
  • WINNER | 2010
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • WINNER | 2010
    Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
  • NOMINEE
    Texas Bluebonnet Master List
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • FINALIST
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • NOMINEE
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • NOMINEE | 2014
    Georgia Children's Book Award
Starred Review, Booklist, July 2010:
"An original fairy tale that has the makings of a story-hour classic. . . This standout picture book emphasizes resourcefulness and the power and pleasure of a well-told tale."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 2010:
"The simple-but-expressive, cartoonish illustrations on textured paper and the delightfully clever design further distinguish this cheerful charmer."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, July 19, 2010:
The creators of Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! celebrate storytelling with a sparkling specimen of that very thing. . .With muted tones and subtle textures, the pictures capture the tale's humor and Jack's earnest nature."

Starred Review, School Library Journal, July 2010:
This entertaining adventure is packed with action. Karas's schratchy gouache and pencil cartoon illustrations are as detail-rich as the text itself."
© Scott Fleming
Candace Fleming is the prolific and versatile award-winning author of many books for children and young adults. Her most recent title, The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh, received six starred reviews, was a Kirkus, PW, Booklist, and SLJ Best Book of the Year, and was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as a "fascinating chronicle." Candace's The Family Romanov also received six starred reviews and won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was recognized as a Sibert Nonfiction Honor Book. Amelia Lost received four starred reviews and won the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction. Her many acclaimed picture books include Giant Squid, a Sibert Honor Book. Visit her on the web at candacefleming.com. View titles by Candace Fleming
G. Brian Karas is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including A Poem in Your PocketHow Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?, and The Apple Orchard Riddle. He also illustrated A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards; Neville by Norton Juster; Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, which received four starred reviews; Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and Home on the Bayou, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book. Visit him at GBrianKaras.com. View titles by G. Brian Karas
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About

Take a bite out of this deliciously funny original fairy tale, which received four starred reviews and was named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and the Bank Street College of Education.

What would you do if you were invited to the princess’s tenth birthday party but didn’t have money for a gift? Well, clever Jack decides to bake the princess a cake.

Now he just has to get it to the castle in one piece. What could possibly go wrong?

Candace Fleming and G. Brian Karas, creators of the bestselling picture book Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!, have teamed up again to bring us a modern fairy tale starring a determined boy and a story-loving princess with a good sense of humor. While girls will fall for a story featuring a princess’s birthday party, Jack’s adventures with trolls, bears, and gypsies make this the perfect read for young boys as well—and ideal for storytime.

Awards

  • WINNER
    ALA Notable Children's Book
  • WINNER | 2010
    New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
  • WINNER | 2010
    School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
  • WINNER | 2010
    Parents' Choice Recommended
  • WINNER | 2010
    Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books
  • WINNER | 2010
    Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
  • NOMINEE
    Texas Bluebonnet Master List
  • NOMINEE
    New York State Charlotte Award
  • FINALIST
    Bank Street Child Study Children's Book Award
  • NOMINEE
    Nebraska Golden Sower Award
  • NOMINEE
    Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
  • NOMINEE
    Indiana Young Hoosier Award
  • NOMINEE | 2014
    Georgia Children's Book Award

Reviews

Starred Review, Booklist, July 2010:
"An original fairy tale that has the makings of a story-hour classic. . . This standout picture book emphasizes resourcefulness and the power and pleasure of a well-told tale."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 2010:
"The simple-but-expressive, cartoonish illustrations on textured paper and the delightfully clever design further distinguish this cheerful charmer."

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly, July 19, 2010:
The creators of Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! celebrate storytelling with a sparkling specimen of that very thing. . .With muted tones and subtle textures, the pictures capture the tale's humor and Jack's earnest nature."

Starred Review, School Library Journal, July 2010:
This entertaining adventure is packed with action. Karas's schratchy gouache and pencil cartoon illustrations are as detail-rich as the text itself."

Author

© Scott Fleming
Candace Fleming is the prolific and versatile award-winning author of many books for children and young adults. Her most recent title, The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh, received six starred reviews, was a Kirkus, PW, Booklist, and SLJ Best Book of the Year, and was hailed by the Wall Street Journal as a "fascinating chronicle." Candace's The Family Romanov also received six starred reviews and won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and was recognized as a Sibert Nonfiction Honor Book. Amelia Lost received four starred reviews and won the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction. Her many acclaimed picture books include Giant Squid, a Sibert Honor Book. Visit her on the web at candacefleming.com. View titles by Candace Fleming
G. Brian Karas is the prolific, versatile, and award-winning illustrator of many books for children, including A Poem in Your PocketHow Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?, and The Apple Orchard Riddle. He also illustrated A Hat for Mrs. Goldman by Michelle Edwards; Neville by Norton Juster; Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming, which received four starred reviews; Are You Going to Be Good? by Cari Best, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and Home on the Bayou, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book. Visit him at GBrianKaras.com. View titles by G. Brian Karas

Photos

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