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Module 2 Traditional Literature - RAPUNZEL - Written by Paul O. Zelinsky

 


Module 2 – Book Review 4 

Review of Paul O. Zelinsky’s RAPUNZEL 

*This review was written for a course through Sam Houston State University. 

 

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Zelinsky, Paul O. (1997). Rapunzel. Puffin Books. ISBN: 9780525456070 

 

2. SUMMARY 

Zelinsky’s retelling and illustration of the classic fairy tale of “Rapunzel” is about a young girl named Rapunzel, born to a man and woman living next to a powerful witch with a magical garden. The garden grows a vegetable the mother craves and drives the husband to steal. Once the witch catches them, she takes their daughter as payment. She hides Rapunzel away in a tower only accessible by her hair. She eventually falls in love with a prince who hears her singing and gains access by her hair. They marry in secret, and when the witch finds out, she punishes the couple by sending Rapunzel away and ultimately blinding the prince. Sometime later, as the prince wanders the wilderness, he finds Rapunzel once again by her singing, and they are reunited with their children. After Rapunzel’s tears heal his sight, the family lives happily ever after. 

 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS  

The characters in the story of "Rapunzel" represent archetypes like that of good or evil, but there is more to consider the role of Rapunzel herself. Her character represents innocence, curiosity, and a search for freedom. The plot is simple with different types of conflict such as freedom and control and then love and jealousy. By the end of the story the reader feels the classic feeling that love conquers all and good will triumph over evil. 

The illustrations are an important part of the book as they are done in a Renaissance style. The pictures are large and colorful although mostly with muted colors so that bright pops of color are more visible to draw the eye to certain parts of the picture. An example of this is when the sorceress appears to catch the husband stealing from her garden. Her cape is beautifully drawn and colored with a bright cerulean blue. That along with the detailed drawings of the facial expressions adds to the terror the reader should feel for the husband. Contrasting to those brilliant colors, there are soft shades to surround Rapunzel to showcase her beauty and innocence. There are full page pictures to correspond with pictures with shared text meant to draw your eye in the direction of the action. This is a beautiful depiction of the fairy tale that is authentic to its origins and a great example to show for the category. 

 

This was an interesting experience to read this book to my two young sons. At first, they acted put off because, “Eww! It’s about a GIRL!” my boys yelled. However, after a little convincing that this was one of their mommy’s favorite stories, they decided to give it a chance. They had many questions throughout the story, but most importantly, “Why did the lady want to eat vegetables?” However, I am happy that they were able to make connections about why it is wrong to steal and long hair is not gross. While they enjoyed the illustrations, it was definitely a book to be shared by children and adults. What a funny experience!

 

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S) 

ALA Notable Children's Books, 1998 

Caldecott Medal, 1998 

Horn Book Guide starred (March, 1998)  

It takes a scholar's mind and an artist's insight to endow the familiar with unexpected nuances--which Zelinsky does with passion and dazzling technique. His choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many artistic and architectural allusions. 

Kirkus Reviews (1997)  

Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale. As Zelinsky (The Wheels on the Bus, 1990, etc.) explains in a long source note, the story's Italian oral progenitor went through a series of literary revisions and translations before the Brothers Grimm published their own take; he draws on many of these to create a formal, spare text that is more about the undercurrents between characters than crime and punishment.  

Publishers Weekly (September 9, 2002)  

A breathtaking interpretation gives the fairy tale new art-historical roots, with illustrations that daringly-and effectively-mimic the masters of Italian Renaissance painting. 

Publishers Weekly (September 29, 1997)  

Zelinsky (Swamp Angel) 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. His Rapunzel, for example, seems a relative of Botticelli's immortal red-haired beauties, while her tower appears an only partially fantastic exaggeration of a Florentine bell tower...Zelinsky demonstrates a point established in his unusually complete source notes: that timeless tales like Rapunzel belong to adults as well as children. 

School Library Journal (December 1997)  

An elegant and sophisticated retelling that draws on early French and Italian versions of the tale. Masterful oil paintings capture the Renaissance setting and flesh out the tragic figures. 

School Library Journal (November 1997)  

Each scene, from the delightful Italianate farm pictured on the endpapers to the last happy scene where the prince and his bride pose with their cherub-like twins, is painted, writes Zelinsky, as a humble attempt to "spur an interest in the magnificent art from which I have drawn." A stunning effort. 

 

5. CONNECTIONS  

  • Related Books - Other books for children to make connections with other fairy tales 

  • Zelinsky, Paul O. RUMPELSTILTSKIN. ISBN 9780525456070 

  • Mayer, Marianna, THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES. ISBN 9780688080518 

  • Enrichment Activities -   

  • Planting Activity – Have students plant seeds in cups to connect with the beginning of the story 

  • Choices and Consequences – discuss the decisions throughout the story (Rapunzel’s parents, Rapunzel herself) and the consequences that come from those choices

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