The Rumpelstiltskin Problem (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author) "Once upon a time, before pizzerias or Taco Bells, there was a troll named Rumpelstiltskin who began to wonder what a human baby would taste..." (more)
Key Phrases: lord high chamberlain, straw into gold, three gold pieces, King Gregory, King Norvin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Why did the miller tell the king his daughter could spin straw into gold in the first place? The story of Rumpelstiltskin is full of holes, says young adult fantasy writer Vivian Vande Velde in the author's note to this delightful group of tales. For instance, why was the dwarf was willing to accept the girl's ring as a bribe when he already knew how to spin unlimited quantities of gold? And why did he want a baby at all? Not to mention the very peculiar ending in which he stamps on the floor, catches his foot in a crack, and in a fit of rage tears himself in two. Excuse me? says Vande Velde.

The skeptical author sets out to remedy these flaws in six different imaginative retellings full of sassy humor that teens will relish. Sticking closely to the spirit and setting of the original, she changes only one or two building blocks in the plot structure and comes up with some surprising results. In one story, the miller's daughter is an obnoxious groupie pursuing the polite and gentle king; in another, Rumpelstiltskin is female; and in a third, the dwarf appears as a troll with a yen to eat human baby who sets up the whole scenario as an attempt to get his hands on a toothsome infant. ("Tastes just like chicken," scoffs his brother-in-law.)

Teen readers will appreciate the wit and freshness of these smart-mouth renditions of a traditional story. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

From Publishers Weekly

The eponymous problem, as Vande Velde (There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around) explains in an author's note, is that the original fairy tale "makes no sense." Hence, she retells the classic story six times, creatively changing elements with each variant. What results is a charming and clever collection that explains such conundrums as: Why, if the daughter can spin straw into gold, is the miller so poor? What would an elf want with a baby? Vande Velde keeps the basic structure the same: always a miller's daughter must spin straw into gold for the king, always the claim is made that Rumpelstiltskin does it for herDor at least teaches herDin exchange for her firstbornDand ultimately someone must guess the creature's strange name to break that contract. In one scenario, "The Domovoi," Rumpelstiltskin is a magical, teddy bear-like creature living under the castle basement; in "Ms. Rumpelstiltskin," the titular character takes the form of an ugly and lonely witch. The miller's daughter may fall in love with the king, or with Rumpelstiltskin, and once she runs off without falling in love at all. In the closing, particularly funny version, the miller's manipulative daughter named Carleen tries to bully kindly King Gregory into marrying her. Though the opening lines feel forced (one begins, "Once upon a time, before pizzerias or Taco Bells"), Vande Velde's takes on this fairy tale are always humorous and often heartwarming. Ages 10-14. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (August 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618055231
• ISBN-13: 978-0618055234
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #512,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny and original, October 30, 2002

By	M. Halpern-Cordell (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Rumpelstiltskin Problem (Paperback)

Lately I have been enjoying a bunch of those fairy tale retellings where an author takes a classic tale, such as Beauty and the Beast or Rapunzel, and makes it funny or modern or feminist. The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde takes the old story of Rumpelstiltskin and offers it up in six different ways. The book begins with a hilarious author's note where Vande Velde explains that the story of Rumpelstiltskin makes no sense. Why did the miller start talking to the king in the first place? Why would the troll named Rumpelstiltskin want a baby? Why did he want the poor girl's gold rings if he could spin a whole room of straw into gold? As Vande Velde asks, "What do you think your teacher would say if you handed in a story like this?" So Vande Velde decided to write six different versions of the story- some funny, some scary, and all unique. In one of them, Rumpelstiltskin is the one who comes out on top!
If you think you are too old for fairy tales, you are so wrong. Fairy tales were originally written for adults, and this book of Rumpelstiltskin tales is perfect for anyone looking for an interesting read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Golden Fun : Rumpelstiltskin never made more sense!, March 25, 2003

By	"liaden" (Somewhere Over the Rainbow) - See all my reviews

Okay, so we all know the Brothers Grimm had it all wrong; we know there had to be a reason the miller was willing to give up his only daughter. We knew it. Forget the Grimms. Take the Vande Velde Route, ie, the one that makes you laugh as well as making sense.

Vande Velde delivers her audience many scrumptous tales of Rumpelstiltskin--all refreshing and unique. Not a one didn't leave me laughing and thoughtful. HOORAY! A Rumpelstiltskin that isn't a "Problem."

Mix humor, good sense, and a dash of "strong heroines" and you've got your "Rumpelstiltskin Problem." Only one problem; sometimes a little dragging, but that is easily overlooked. So my advise to you? Pick it up at the library or store as soon as possible! It'll be worth the trip!

Happy reading!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clever crafting of crafty tales, December 27, 2003

By A Customer

Please don't rip out the first chapter of this book. It's fine as it is. Spoiler alert: no babies are actually devoured in print or otherwise!
As to its bloody-mindedness, it's a rewrite of a fairy tale, for heavens' sake. Vande Velde is extremely adept at giving an interpretation of these chestnuts. My personal opinion is that 'tweens and up will find it to be marvelous reading to giggle over.

I advise the reviewer who gave it one star to never, never let her child read Hans Christian Andersen-- particularly The Little Match Girl and The Little Mermaid (not the sugarplum Disney version). Likewise Little Red Red Cap (AKA Riding Hood) and Snow White (entrails, anyone?) from the Grimm brothers. Never mind that they serve as promises of chance for a better afterlife, warnings to mind your parents or your guardians as in the case of Snow White.

Life can be hard and mean. Sometimes there are villains. In fairy tales, at least, they usually get their due.

P.S. Anyone wanting to see Donna Jo Napoli's very touching (and young adult) take on Hansel and Gretel should try her book, The Magic Circle.