BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zelinsky, Paul O. (1986). RUMPELSTILTSKIN. New York
PLOT SUMMARY
While in town, a miller sees the king and wishes to impress him. He tells him he has a beautiful daughter that can spin straw into gold. Upon hearing this, the king locks the miller’s daughter in his castle and forces her to spin straw to gold. For three nights, a strange man comes to her aid. The first two nights he assists her in exchange for jewelry, but on the final night he demanded that she give him her first born child. The woman agrees and in the morning upon seeing the room of gold, the king takes her as his queen. Once their first born arrives, the man returns and demands the child. The queen begs for his mercy and so the man tells her he will allow her to keep the child if she guesses his name in three days. The first two days she has no luck, so on the third day she sends her servant to find the man. The servant finds him in the woods and hears him chant his name. When he returns to claim the child, he is shocked when the queen knows his name, and she is allowed to keep her child..
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Zelinksky’s retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is based mainly on the Grimm Brother’s 1819 version, and it is one that children will recognize. It reads like a traditional fairy tale even starting with “Once there was a poor miller who had a beautiful daughter.” Unlike in other versions of this fairy tale where Rumpelstiltskin rips himself in half, this story ends happily ever after. A theme is presented as the overconfident Rumpelstiltskin learns his lesson after he foolishly shouts out his name while dancing around his fire and is spotted by the queen’s servant.
The extraordinary illustrations in the story are reminiscent of Renaissance paintings, and create a magical setting. Also, through these paintings the character of Rumpelstiltskin is more defined as you observe his tiny stature and peculiar appearance. With the turning of each page, you are introduced to an intriguing scene that adds to this beauty of this enchanted tale.
REVIEW EXERPTS
School Library Journal (October 01, 1986)- “Zelinsky's painterly style and rich colors provide an evocative backdrop to this story. The medieval setting and costumes and the spools of gold thread which shine on the page like real gold are suggestive of an illuminated manuscript.”
Booklist (January 01, 1987)- “Zelinsky's jeweled tones and precise medieval backgrounds make this a particularly handsome rendering of the classic fairy tale.”
Publishers Weekly (August 22, 1986)- “One of the most exquisite picture books of the season, Zelinsky's Rumplestiltskin will have strong appeal for children and for adult picture-book collectors alike.”
CONNECTIONS
- Pair with Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter. Stanley, Diane. RUMPELSTILTSKIN’S DAUGHTER. ISBN: 0064410951
- Visit Paul Zelinsky’s website http://www.paulozelinsky.com/
- Have students make up a short song using their name following the pattern of the song sung by Rumpelstiltskin when he inadvertently reveals himself to the queen’s servant.
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