TRADITIONAL LITERATURE - Rapunzel

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinksky, Paul.  1997.  RAPUNZEL.  New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074

PLOT SUMMARY

RAPUNZEL is a retelling of a German folktale that has been passed down for years.  Rapunzel was born to parents who owed a sorceress nearby due to the mother and father taking from the sorceress’ garden.  Upon her birth, the sorceress took Rapunzel to live in a tower away from everyone. She grew up alone, not knowing the world around her. One day a prince traveling nearby heard Rapunzel singing and did everything to find out how to get to her. He watched close by as the sorceress said a particular phrase for Rapunzel to drop her hair down.  Each day the sorceress climbed up into the tower. Soon the Prince was able to learn which time of the day Rapunzel was left alone. Once he was able to find a way in, they fell in love immediately.  They were married in a secret ceremony there in the tower. The Prince visited her each night in the tower. Due to Rapunzel’s growing belly and tightening clothing, the sorceress figures out her hidden secret. She threw her out to live alone in the wilderness. After the Prince is injured trying to find her, he is also lost in the world alone.  Some time passes and they end up finding each other to begin their life and live happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

First noted in the book is a quick reference by the author and illustrator, Paul Zelinksky, in noting the origin of the story and his decision to mimic the style of the Italian Renaissance art in his oil painting illustrations. 

His amazing life-like oil paintings make the reader feel as if they are in the Italian countryside themselves. His use of realistic paintings made the story more believable as every facial expression on the characters is defined perfectly.

Zelinksky used his wording well and was able to highlight the aspect of greed and temptation, as well as the consequences that come about from those. This can be related to almost anything in life today. I feel like he is using the tower as the “safety net” of life and that as children age into adults, safety is sometimes worn down. When the prince is able to enter her tower, she is fearful of him. However, with time, as all things in life happen, “he began to speak to her in such a friendly way that her fear was soon gone.” This represents taking risks and opening up to others which is something we do as we learn and grow.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

HORN BOOK GUIDE: “His choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many artistic and architectural allusions.”

KIRKUS: “Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale.”

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

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “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.”

CONNECTIONS

Ø  More books retold by the author of Rapunzel:

o   Zelinsky, Paul. RUMPELSTILTKIN. ISBN 9780525442653

o   Zelinsky, Paul. SWAMP ANGEL. ISBN 9780525452713

Ø  This book would be a great choice for a reader’s theater activity in the classroom. The teacher could dive deeper into character development through the plot build-up.

Ø  Could be used to help teach or expand on the theme of growing up and becoming one’s own.

Ø  Other stories where characters are faced with coming of age:

o   Bunting, Eve. LITTLE BEAR’S LITTLE BOAT. ISBN 9780395974629

o   Mackintosh, David. WAITING FOR CHICKEN SMITH. ISBN 9781536207713

o   Wells, Rosemary. MAX’S NEW SUIT. ISBN 9780803760653

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