BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0525456074
PLOT SUMMARY
RAPUNZEL is retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky in this variant of the old folktale. The story starts with a couple who, after many years, finally are expecting their first child. As the woman yearns foe some of the rapunzel herb she views in the garden below their home, her husband has to find a way into the garden. There is a problem: the garden is owned by a sorceress who has the garden sealed, with no window or door by which to gain entrance. So the husband climbs out of the window of his home and down to the garden to obtain the herb for his beloved wife. She demands more each day and as he complies with her wishes, he is caught by the sorceress. She is quite upset with him, but allows him to leave with both the herb and his life after he agrees to give her the child when it is born. The sorceress is true to her word and collects the female child upon her birth, naming her Rapunzel and whisking her away to a remote location. She cares for the child and keeps her in a luxurious tower. When she wants to visit Rapunzel, she calls for the girl to lower her long, beautiful hair and the sorceress climbs to the top of the tower. This tower, as the garden, has no entrance other than the window at the top. Soon a prince riding his horse through the same forest, hears Rapunzel singing from the tower and is instantly charmed and falls in love. He watches and soon discovers that the only way into the tower is to call for her to let down her hair. One evening when the sorceress is gone, he gets Rapunzel to let down her hair, climbs into the tower and proclaims his love for her. Rapunzel is at first frightened, but realizes that she loves him as well in in a ceremony that night in the tower, they marry. The prince visits every night and since the sorceress only visits in the day, the couple is happy until one day Rapunzel tells the sorceress that her dress is getting tight and she needs a new one. The sorceress is instantly angry as she realizes that Rapunzel has married and is expecting a baby. She banished Rapunzel to a far off land and waits for the prince to show up that evening when she scares him. He falls from the tower and the fall injures his sight. he wanders for a year, until he hears Rapunzel's singing and he reunites with her. She is so happy to find him that she cries and as tears fall into his eyes, his sight is restored. He realizes that they are in his kingdom and he and Rapunzel and the twin children, a boy and a girl, that she gave birth to during the year's separation, live happily ever after in the kingdom where they are gladly welcomed.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this version of the familiar tale, Zelinsky has given a more gentle perspective on the story, along with beautiful oil paintings. The art is strongly reminiscent of Italian art. It is very detailed and is loaded with beautifully muted, yet rich colors. Zelinsky's story is sure to be a favorite of both children and adults for not only the story, but the beauty of the book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Publishers Weekly review: " A breathtaking interpretation gives the fairy tale new art-historical roots, with illustrations that daringly and effectively mimic the masters of Italian Renaissance painting."
Common Sense Media review:" This classic tale retold brims with passion and grace, and the emotional intensity of Paul O. Zelinsky's work is bewitching."
CONNECTIONS
Check out the author's website: http://www.paulozelinsky.com/rapunzel.html There are lesson plans to go with the book.
Also check out the author's site for other traditional folktales that were first published by the Grimm brothers. Have students study those traditional European folktales and then do a study of folktales that are part of other cultures and continents.
Other Rapunzel variants:
Isadora, Rachel. 2008. RAPUNZEL. Putnam. ISBN 0399247726
Stanley, Diane. 1997. PETROSINELLA: A NEOPOLITAN RAPUNZEL. Puffin. ISBN 0140554912
Storace, patricia. 2007. SUGAR CANE: A CARIBBEAN RAPUNZEL. Hyperion ISBN 0786807911
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