Zelinsky, Paul O. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 978-0-590-38602-9.
PLOT SUMMARY
This beautifully illustrated retold folktale is of a beautiful girl with long golden hair imprisoned in a tall tower by a sorceress. She is lonely and isolated until a prince comes along and they fall in love. Tragedy ensues but readers are left with a fairy tale ending.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author/illustrator includes a note that shares the Italian, French, and German origins of the story. He discusses his decision to reflect the three countries' style of Italian Renaissance art in his illustrations. This visually stunning representation of this folktale with a deep history. The story has a mature tone and addresses the deeper storyline of punishment, cruelty, and the pursuit of happiness against adversity. The anguish in the characters faces evoke a sense of pity from the reader. The rich oil paintings, detailed pictures, and colors illuminated the pages of this timeless classic. Eventually, true love prevailed and readers get the warm conclusion to a tragic situation. The author does a wonderful job in sharing the rich history of this folktale.
REVIEW EXCERPTS/AWARDS
KIRKUS Review: "Exquisite paintings in late Italian Renaissance style illumine this hybrid version of a classic tale. As Zelinsky (The Wheels on the Bus, 1990, etc.) explains in a long source note, the story's Italian oral progenitor went through a series of literary revisions and translations before the Brothers Grimm published their own take; he draws on many of these to create a formal, spare text that is more about the undercurrents between characters than crime and punishment. Feeling ``her dress growing tight around her waist'' a woman conceives the desire for an herb from the neighboring garden--rendered in fine detail with low clipped hedges, elaborate statuary and even a wandering pangolin--that causes her to lose her child to a witch. Ensconced for years in a tower, young Rapunzel meets the prince, ``marries'' him immediately, is cast into the wilderness when her own dress begins to tighten, gives birth to twins, and cures her husband's blindness with her tears at their long-awaited reunion. Suffused with golden light, Zelinsky's landscapes and indoor scenes are grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL Review: "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."
Caldecott Medal Book
CONNECTIONS
The author's note about the history of this fairy tale and the details of his inspiration for the illustrations would enrich a lesson on the art of the Italian Renaissance. It would also provide a background explanation of how many fairy tales evolved from stories told long ago. Main idea, inferencing, and visual representations can be the focus of story element discussions. A cross curriculur lesson plan for this story can be viewed at the following link: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/childrens-book/lesson-plan/5238.html.
The author's note about the history of this fairy tale and the details of his inspiration for the illustrations would enrich a lesson on the art of the Italian Renaissance. It would also provide a background explanation of how many fairy tales evolved from stories told long ago. Main idea, inferencing, and visual representations can be the focus of story element discussions. A cross curriculur lesson plan for this story can be viewed at the following link: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/childrens-book/lesson-plan/5238.html.
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