RAPUNZEL by Paul O. Zelinsky

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

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

0525456074

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

For years, a husband and wife wanted to have a child.   One spring, she was with child.   The wife began to crave the Rapunzel that was in the Sorceress’ garden so the husband took some from the garden.  One day, the sorceress saw him in the garden and made him promise to give her the child when she was born.  The Sorceress took the child, named her Rapunzel and put the girl in a tall tower away from society.   No one can get in the tower unless Rapunzel lowers her hair.  A prince hears her beautiful singing and he climbs up her hair to get in the tower.  He visits her often.   When the sorceress finds out Rapunzel is with child, she cuts off Rapunzel’s hair and sends her out into the wilderness.   The sorceress tricks the prince into climbing up the cut hair.  The shock of seeing the sorceress causes the prince to fall and become blind.   While the prince wonders around the woods blind, he hears Rapunzel’s singing and is reunited with Rapunzel.   Rapunzel’s tears heal the prince’s sight and they live happily ever after. 

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Zilinsky’s RAPUNZEL is a traditional retelling of the classic fairytale.   The focus of the story is on the plot and not the characters.  The book does not include much description of the feelings of the characters.   For example, “Rapunzel lived alone in her rooms above the treetops, visited only by the sorceress.”   There is no mention of her feelings.

 In contrast to the text, the illustrations are extremely expressive.   Much detail is given to the facial expressions in most of the illustrations.  The illustrations in the book are done to replicate painting from Italian Renaissance Paintings.  This book would be great for an older reader to experience the story of Rapunzel since the formal painting illustrations and small print give the book a more mature feel.  

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Caldecott Medal, 1998

Book Links, 2004

Horn Book Magazine, 1998.  “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.”

Burns, Mary M.  “Book Review” HORN BOOK MAGAZINE, January-February 1998.  http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=6639768a-4c78-4258-866e-7ff580f09e10%40sessionmgr4&vid=4&hid=22&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=a9h&AN=90852 (accessed February 13, 2013)

 5. Connections

 *Other books illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky:

Lesser, Rika.  HANSEL AND GRETEL.  Ill. By Paul O. Zelinsky.  ISBN: 9780525461524

Zelinsky, Paul O.  RUMPELSTILTSIN.  ISBN: 0525442650