Rapunzel [Paperback]

Barbara Rogasky (Author), Trina Schart Hyman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1987

A retelling of the Grimm fairy tale in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is imprisoned in a lonely tower by a witch.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Caldecott Medalist Trina Schart Hyman's Rapunzel hearkens to a time of dark forests, forbidden gardens, and secrets locked away in a tower. Rapunzel is an innocent, barefooted beauty with "long blonde hair, as thick and glowing as sunlight or beaten gold." This version of Rapunzel is retold by Barbara Rogasky, who also collaborated with Hyman on The Golem, The Water of Life, and an illustrated collection of poetry for children, Winter Poems. Rogasky's version of this fairy tale flows along in the best of old-fashioned, once-upon-a-time cadences, such as when the prince hears "Rapunzel's sweet, lonely voice singing a song that pierced his heart." As for the witch, Mother Gothel, "she was so feared that even people who had never seen her had nightmares about her." A not-to-be-missed fairy tale for eager readers and listeners who have a soft spot for enchanting adventure stories with happy endings. (Ages 5 to 9) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Trina Schart Hyman fans will be glad to know that Rapunzel, retold by Barbara Rogasky, originally published in 1982, is back in print. The artist frames her dark and dramatic full-page and vignette illustrations in repeated pattern borders, and evokes the detailing and care of quiltmaking as she pieces together the images of this classic story.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Holiday House (P) (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823406520
• ISBN-13: 978-0823406524
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,523,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, haunting, enchanting, June 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rapunzel (Hardcover)

Trina Schart Hyman is one of the finest contemporary illustrators of children's books today. Anyone not aware of her exceptional talent is advised to take a look at this retelling of the Grimm's classic, "Rapunzel."

The story is in a clear, straightforward, traditional retelling by Barbara Rogasky, but Hyman's illustrations lift this version out of the average and into the sublime. The illustrations are intricately drawn and luminously colored; they have the effect of rendering the human, emotional side of the story with clarity and immediacy, while keeping intact the otherworldly quality necessary to the fairy tale.

Take, for example, Hyman's illustration of the young Rapunzel and the witch in the garden. Rapunzel gazes at her with rapt adoration, while the witch returns the look with benevolent affection. In this one illustration, we are taken beyond the realm of the archetypal cardboard figures of fiction and are shown instead the very human figures of a foster mother and daughter. This relationship continues through to the last illustration, with the solitary witch watching the happy couple depart through the forest. Despite her cruel actions, this witch is a real woman capable of feeling loss and remorse.

Perhaps I wax rhapsodic, but Hyman's gorgeous illustrations really must be seen to be believed. This is a book that can be appreciated on various levels by both young and old alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Illustrations, June 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Rapunzel (Hardcover)

The outstanding quality of the illustrations make this book one that people of all ages will want to look through often just to admire the artwork.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Interpretation of the Traditional Fairy Tale, June 29, 2010

By 

Shanna A. Gonzalez "eyelevelbooks.com" (Gaithersburg, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rapunzel (Paperback)

Rogansky's retelling of Rapunzel is another excellent interpretation of the traditional fairy tale popularized by the Brothers Grimm. Rogansky's prose is flawless, and the story is illustrated with sweeping romantic brilliance by Trina Schart Hyman