The Humpherys Family

Rapunzel

Record Added: 10/8/2009
A Favorite Book
Illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky
Setting Italy
Topic Fairytales, Myths, Folklo
Publisher Dutton Publishers
ISBN 0525456074   Year 1997
Age 4-8   Pages 48
Description beautiful, printed, dustco
 
Paul O. Zelinsky's Italian Renaissance-styled illustrations are characterized by warm golden tones and the mesmerizing sensation of trompe l'oeuil. Not only does he have the touch of a world-class illustrator, Zelinsky has also proven himself a master storyteller. We are frightened when the sorceress demands to take the baby Rapunzel, we are alarmed when the flowing locks are cruelly shorn, and we rejoice when the prince and his now modest-haired love are reunited.

The notes at the back of Rapunzel reveal his careful scholarship regarding the long history of the story (tracing its origins and transformations from Italy to France and finally to Germany and the Grimm brothers)--work that no doubt contributed to his clean, compelling version of the age-old tale. Children will be captivated by the magical story and evocative pictures and adults will delight in the fresh feel of a well-loved legend.
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