BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zelinsky, Paul. 1997. RAPUNZEL. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074.
Zelinsky, Paul. 1997. RAPUNZEL. Ill. by Paul O. Zelinsky. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books. ISBN 0525456074.
PLOT SUMMARY
A couple who has no children is finally expecting a child but the wife yearns for some rapunzel from the garden of a sorceress. The husband steals the rapunzel for his wife but he is caught and the sorceress forces the couple to give their child to her. A daughter is born and the sorceress takes her away and names her Rapunzel. The sorceress takes Rapunzel, to live in a tower with no way in except for a window at the very top. The sorceress climbs to the by using Rapunzel’s long hair. One day a prince comes upon the tower and hears Rapunzel’s voice. Will the prince make it to the top of the tower and if he does what will happen to Rapunzel?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book’s detailed illustrations have a very strong renaissance style depicting the characters and scenery. Although, in my opinion this book is meant for older children it could be used as a wordless picture book allowing younger children to make-up their own story based on the illustrations. The story is a classic retelling of the Brother’s Grimm version. I like that the author includes a note at the end which provides the reader with the background for the original story even beyond the Grimm’s version. Fairy tales can reveal much about a culture and the current values of the eras in which they were written.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
“Zelinsky (Swamp Angel) does a star turn with this breathtaking interpretation of a favorite fairy tale.” - Publishers Weekly
"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." - The Horn Book
"Suffused with golden light, Zelinsky's landscapes and indoor scenes are grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command." - Kirkus Reviews
“An elegant and sophisticated retelling that draws on early French and Italian versions of the tale.” - School Library Journal
Honors
Caldecott Winner - 1998
CONNECTIONS
Zelinsky's version of Rapunzel would be an excellent book to study for an art history class with older children or even high school students. The illustrations are a great representation of Italian Renaissance art that can be used to introduce students to a modern take on Renaissance art and how current artiest are still influenced from different periods of art.
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