"Rapunzel" Book Review

1.      Bibliography

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

2.      Plot Summary

Paul Zelinsky’s retelling of the traditional tale “Rapunzel” begins in a beautiful, Italian Renaissance style setting with a couple excited to learn they are pregnant after many years of sorrow with no children.  Rapunzel, is named after the plant her mother craves so severely she thought she may die, so her father agreed to allow a sorceress to keep their child in exchange for rapunzel to keep his beloved alive.  The sorceress cares for the child and wants to protect her from the outside world so she keeps her hidden away in a tall, beautiful tower where the only entrance is Rapunzle letting down her long hair.  A prince discovers Rapunzel in the forest and they quickly fall in love and marry in the tower without the sorceress knowing.  The sorceress learns of Rapunzel’s actions after Rapunzel reveals her dress “is growing so tight around my waist…”  Angry with Rapunzel, the sorceress exiles her to the wilderness and blinds the prince to stumble through the wilderness as well representing their true struggle into adulthood.    After much time of struggle, Rapunzel and the Prince find each other, Rapunzel’s tears heal the prince, and they return to their kingdom. 

3.      Critical Analysis

Zelinsky’s retelling of this classic tale is presented with beauty and sophistication.  The language used is this story is elegant and poised.  Zelinsky begins the tale with a couple who learn “the wife felt her dress growing tight around her waist” and he uses that same language in the turning point of Rapunzel and the sorceress’s relationship when Rapunzel tells the sorceress her dress “is growing so tight around my waist…”  The retelling of this tale does not necessarily reveal good verse evil characters.  Instead Zelinsky paints a picture of a protective mother caring for her stolen child and only wants to protect her from the outside world.  Only when she learns of Rapunzel’s actions of not being sheltered anymore, does she punish the characters.  Rapunzel and her Prince roam the wilderness alone and suffer many days representing true beginning into the adult world.  The context of pregnancy and marriage, higher vocabulary used, and the sufferings the characters experience may point to upper grades for a more appropriate audience.

Zelinsky’s illustrations capture the classic setting of this tale.  The details in the characters and surroundings are emotional and elegant.  His illustrations add to the beauty of the story of one’s longing to not allow a child to grow up.  Zelinsky illustrates the sorceress caring for the child and has the tower made with beauty verses a scary, rocky tower that would represent punishment and evil.  His works show the events in the story with an emotional truth.

4.      Review Excerpt(s)

Caldecott Medal – 1998

Horn Book – “…simply put, this is a gorgeous book.”

Kirkus Reviews – “…grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command.”

5.      Connections

*Discuss elements of fairy tales.  Students will identify which of those elements are scene in this classic fairy tale.

*Pull other selections of this story like “Rapunzel” Retold by Barbara Rogasky or “Rapunzel” Retold by Bette Killion and compare.