Rumpelstiltskin

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, Paul O. Rumpelstiltskin. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, 1986.  ISBN 0140558640

2. PLOT SUMMARY

This story is a retelling of the classic Grimm fairytale. A miller brags to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold, and she is taken to the castle to prove her ability. Learning that she will be killed if she is unable to complete the task, she begins to cry. A small man enters the room and offers to help for a price. The following two nights find the girl in an increasingly larger room with an increasingly higher price, ultimately her first born child. After successfully spinning all of the straw into gold, the greedy king makes her his queen. One year later they have a baby, and the man returns for his payment. He offers to let her keep the child if she can learn his name. With the help of a servant, she finds out his name and is able to keep her child. In a rage, the little man flies out the window and is never seen again.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story is a variant of the original Grimm fairytale from 1819. The setting, while vague, is obviously many years ago in the time of kings and castles. The plot is rather straightforward and repetitive with the girl having to spin straw night after night and the man appearing and offering help. One interesting thing to note is that the characters are not definitely good or definitely evil. The king is greedy, but marries the girl and she becomes queen. The little man is helpful, but requests more extravagant payments each night for his service. The girl seems to be caught in the middle of an impossible situation, but with the help of a servant, outwits the man and does not have to keep her end of the deal.

The illustrations in this book are oil paintings over watercolor underpaintings that beautifully depict the time period. From the very beginning, the colors on each page have golden yellow undertones that create a subconscious connection to the gold which is the catalyst for the events that unfold. This dreamy, often romanticized time comes through in the artwork from the landscape and clothing to Rumpelstiltskin himself who appears as a helpful but unusual elf like man, not the creepy scary character that is often drawn or imagined in other tales. The emotions of each character are visible through explicit facial expressions as the story progresses and the events change. These beautiful illustrations help a reader to develop a deeper understanding of the story without additional explanation through written text.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1987 CALDECOTT HONOR MEDAL

SLJ Best Book, ALA Notable Book, Parents’ Choice Award

From Publishers Weekly: "One of the most exquisite picture books of the season, Zelinsky's Rumpelstiltskin will have strong appeal for children and for adult picture-book collectors alike.”

From School Library Journal: “Zelinsky's smooth retelling and glowing pictures cast the story in a new and beautiful light.”

5. CONNECTIONS

Gather other Caldecott award winners or honors in traditional literature such as:

•                      Scieszka, Jon. The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. ISBN 067084487X

•                      Hyman, Trina. Little Red Riding Hood. ISBN 0823406539

Gather other fairy tales retold or illustrated by Zelinsky such as:

•                      Rapunzel. ISBN 0142301930

•                      Lesser, Rika. Hansel and Gretel. ISBN 0698114078

Gather other versions, variants, or adaptations of Rumpelstiltskin such as:

•                      Shurtliff, Liesl. Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin. ISBN 030797796X

•                      Galdone, Paul. Rumpelstiltskin. ISBN 0395525993

•                      Sage, Alison. Rumpelstiltskin..  ISBN 0803709080