Rapunzel [Hardcover]

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Author), Dorothee Duntze (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2005 | Age Level: 6 and up

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" calls the witch to the beautiful girl imprisoned in her tower, and Rapunzel lowers her long, golden braid for the witch to climb. One day they are watched bay a prince who has heard Rapunzel's lovely voice singing out across the countryside. Enchanted by it, he decides to try calling to her, too. But when Rapunzel lets down her hair for the prince, it leads to grave danger and deep tragedy that only true love can overcome. Dorothée Duntze's elegant, imaginative illustrations capture all the wonder and romance of this beloved Grimm tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4–Humorous illustrations attempt to transform this rather serious fairy tale into a lighthearted romp that spares children its disturbing chill and darkness. Duntze's playful watercolors are filled with fantastical elements like oversize fruit, clothing made from cabbage leaves, and a bed atop a huge snail. The witch's countenance never gets scarier than that of a loving but stern grandparent. The illustrations also contain a mixture of details that span different time periods and cultures: for example, the husband wears golf shoes; the wife is seen leaning out the window, thus exposing her multiple petticoats; and the prince wears buckled shoes that evoke Puritan times. Multihued rugs and swirling curtains in the tower suggest the Middle East. The scene in which the prince finds Rapunzel and their children has subdued colors and an austerity that is almost biblical. Regrettably, there are no source or author notes. Stick with Paul O. Zelinsky's award-winning Rapunzel (Dutton, 1997), which uses dramatic images to express powerful emotions and depicts one specific era in rich detail.–Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma Library, CA
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From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. This large picture-book edition of Rapunzel features detailed, sunlit paintings, from the wordless double-page spread showing Rapunzel's mother's view of the witch's garden to the scene of joyous celebration when the prince and his family return to his kingdom. Well suited to reading aloud, Bell's translation offers a graceful telling of the familiar fairy tale. A few elements of the bizarre, such as the witch's giant cabbage leaf dresses, complete with snails, slugs, and a small frog pond in the train, add to the sense of otherworldly strangeness and wonder that infuses the artwork. This beautiful book is a natural for those who love "princess tales." Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: North-South Books (August 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735820139
• ISBN-13: 978-0735820135
• Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,500,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful pictures, beautifully told story., November 7, 2010

By 

Tina Marie "TT" (shawnee, ks United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rapunzel (Hardcover)

I checked this book out at the library. My almost 5-year-old wants to read it every night. The story is very well written and holds her attention. She loves the pictures. I highly recommend this book.