Rapunzel




Title: Rapunzel



Bibliography- Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. Rapunzel. NewYork, N.Y.: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074

Plot Summary- Paul Zelinsky tells the story of a couple who wanted a baby for a very long time. The wife finds out she is pregnant. The wife craves for the Rapunzel herb that grows in the garden of the sorceress who lives next door. The husband is caught by the scores who demands the newborn child.  The young girl is raised by the sorceress who locks her away in a tall tower at the age of twelve. One day, a young prince hears Rapunzel singing and is mesmerized. The prince calls for Rapunzel to let down her hair and they instantly fall in love. They get married secretly in the tower. When the sorceress discovers that she has been deceived, she sends Rapunzel away and the prince is left to wonder the forest blindly. After a year they are reunited. They go to their kingdom and live happily ever after.

Critical analysis- 

Paul O Zelinsky takes this age-old fairytale and creates a beautifully illustrated picture book. Zelinsky uses Italian Renaissance paintings to illustrate the characters and setting. The architecture, the tower, the clothes, the birds, the peacock and the background marble wall help show readers the strong renaissance era used in this book. The story includes the classic characteristics of good vs. evil but Zelinsky also chooses to focus on the traits of each character in the story. The wife lack self-control when she craves the Rapunzel, the husband’s promises and decision to give up the child shows his foolishness, the sorceress' fear of Rapunzel maturing, and of course the prince's courage and love for Rapunzel.



Unlike other versions of the fairytale Zelinsky does not depicted the sorceress as a scary old witch, but yet as a motherly figure who wants to protect Rapunzel from the real world. The reader can see this when the sorceress locks Rapunzel in a beautiful tower with “many elegant rooms”. If the sorceress wanted to imprison Rapunzel as a punishment, she would have locked her in an ugly small tower. Some content is very complex with adult issues, like when Rapunzel say “Stepmother, help me with my dress. It is growing so tight around my waist”. Younger readers may not understand what this mean. Therefore, it may not be appropriate for very young children.

Review excerpt(s)-

·         Caldecott Medal Book, 1998

·         Carl Sandburg Award
"Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision."- HORNBOOK
"grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command." -KIRKUS REVIEWS

Connections-
Related books

·         Rumpelstiltskin (0140558640)

·         Hansel and Gretel (0698114078)

·         Swamp Angel (9780140559088)

A discussion on Renaissance period and the artwork could be held with children.
Children could be encouraged to paint a picture in oil paints.

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