Drawing from African, Asian and European folklore Fearsome Giant, Fearless Child: A Worldwide Jack and the Beanstalk Story retells the classic fairy tale in a single narrative through multiple world cultures.

The story of a child confronting a man-eating giant or witch is told the world over. These heroes go by many names and might be normal in size or no bigger than a thumb. Though they're often scorned for being the youngest and smallest, they're well-armed with cleverness and courage.

In this companion to Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal, Newbery Medal winner Paul Fleischman and illustrator Julie Paschkis combine elements of this story from different traditions--Jack and the Beanstalk, Tom Thumb, Kihuo, Vasilisa--to create one narrative, one complete picture of a small boy's triumph.