THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT (Bedtime Story) (Annotated)
not part of a series
on Goodreads (114)
What’s inside...
This story, 'The House That Jack Built', illustrated by Randolph Caldecott, was published in 1878 as part of his 'Picture Books' series. Caldecott was a key figure in the Victorian era, known for his delicate and imaginative illustrations in children's literature. His books, republished by Pook Press in high-quality color editions, contribute to the 'Golden Age of Illustration'. Additionally, this work is in the public domain in the United States, allowing it to be freely copied and distributed. It has been selected by scholars as culturally important and has been preserved and republished to ensure a quality reading experience while keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-17
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jack
The Farmer Sowing His Corn
The Cock That Crowed In The Morn
The Priest All Shaven And Shorn
The Man All Tattered And Torn
The Maiden All Forlorn
The Dog
The Cat
The Rat
The Cow With The Crumpled Horn
Discussion points
What do you think is the most interesting part of the house that Jack built?
How do all the characters in the story contribute to the house that Jack built?
Why do you think the author chose a cumulative tale style for this story?
What feelings do you experience as the story progresses and more elements are added?
If you were to add another character or part to the house, who or what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination by asking them to visualize the house and its surroundings. Discuss the sequence of events and how each part of the story builds on the previous one, enhancing their understanding of cause and effect. After reading, you might create a simple drawing or a physical model of 'the house that Jack built' together, using materials found at home to bring the story to life and deepen the connection with the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cause and effect
Explanation: The cumulative tale structure of 'The House that Jack Built' illustrates how each character and their actions are interconnected, building upon each other to affect the outcome of the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand that their actions have consequences, helping them to think about how what they do can affect others and their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The whimsical and exaggerated elements of the story, such as animals performing unusual tasks, inspire creative thinking and broaden imaginative capabilities.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and be open to innovative ideas in everyday problem-solving and storytelling.
Example Lesson: Memory and sequence skills
Explanation: The repetitive and building nature of the narrative helps children remember the sequence of events and the characters involved, boosting memory retention and cognitive skills.
Real-World Application: Enhancing these skills aids children in academic learning, especially in understanding and organizing information effectively.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story starts with Jack building a house, depicting the importance of taking initiative and the responsibilities involved in creating something of value.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of taking charge of tasks and the importance of being responsible in completing projects or chores.
Example Lesson: Interdependence
Explanation: The book shows various characters and elements working together towards the cumulative buildup of the story, emphasizing the concept of interdependence.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the importance of teamwork and how collaboration can lead to achieving common goals in group settings such as school or sports.