Zelinsky, Paul O. (1997). Rapunzel. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN: 0525456074
B. Plot Summary:
Rapunzel is a unique retelling of the classic fairy tale. A husband and wife are expecting their first child. The wife has a desperate longing for the herb rapunzel from the sorceress' garden. The husband manages to grab some for his wife, but she wants more. The second time around, he is caught by the sorceress and agrees to give his child to her in exchange for rapunzel. The sorceress cares for the baby, named Rapunzel and brings her to a high tower at the age of twelve.
Rapunzel is kept alone for years until one day a prince calls down for her hair. Surprised and flattered by the prince's compliments, she agrees to marry him. Rapunzel soon learns that she is pregnant and is scolded by the sorceress. Her beautiful hair is cut off and she is sent to live alone in the wild country. The prince returns to the room in the tower and encounters the sorceress. He falls to the ground and is blinded. He searches and finally finds Rapunzel a year later by hearing her beautiful voice. They reunite, along with their twin babies and return to his kingdom. The tale ends with its own version of the classic fairy tale ending Happily Ever After: "There they lived a long life, happy and content."
C. Critical Analysis:
The crisp illustrations in Zelinsky's Rapunzel will take your breath away. Many of the intricate illustrations are ones the reader would expect to see in an art museum. I felt as if I were standing in a large, quiet museum analyzing the elaborate details on each page in this fairy tale. The landscape, folds in the clothing, water, peacocks, and architecture are beautifully illustrated. Zelinksy creates emotion in his illustrations of the characters' facial expressions. There is no doubt as to why this book was chosen as a Caldecott Medal winner.
While the story is beautifully told, I can envision some elementary students being afraid or confused by some of the plot events, such as the baby being taken away from the man and his wife. In a different scene, Rapunzel states "My dress is growing so tight around my waist." The reader can infer that she is pregnant. This fairy tale is definitely targeted toward the older grade levels. At the end of the book, Zelinsky features an author's note about the history of Rapunzel. I was surprised to learn that the Brothers Grimm version strayed far from the folk origin in France. Zelinsky decided on the setting of Italy for his version due to the beauty of Italian Renaissance Art.
The theme of Rapunzel revolves around freedom. Rapunzel is alone in the tower for years and agrees to marry the first man that she has ever met. This version of Rapunzel really hits the emotional aspect of the classic fairy tale.
D. Review Excerpts:
Kirkus Reviews states "Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale. Suffused with golden light, Zelinsky's landscapes and indoor scenes are grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command."
**Publishers Weekly states, "Zelinsky does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale. Daringly--and effectively--mimicking the masters of Italian Renaissance painting, he creates a primarily Tuscan setting."
E. Connections:
Students who enjoyed this story would also enjoy other classic fairy tales such as Cinderella. Students can also read different versions of Rapunzel and compare and contrast settings, character traits and events in the story. Readers might enjoy Zelinksy's other Caldecott winners: Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, and Swamp Angel.
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