Rapunzel: A Groovy Fairy Tale (Hardcover)

~ (Author), David Roberts (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-A (relatively) modern take on the folktale. Rapunzel's awful Aunt Esme keeps her locked on the top floor of an abandoned apartment building. The elevator is broken, so when the woman returns from a hard day working at the local school as the world's meanest lunch lady, she hauls herself upstairs via Rapunzel's long, red braid. Roger, the intrepid singer in the school band, discovers Esme's secret and begins visiting the girl regularly, bringing glimpses of the outside world. When Esme discovers the friends' secret, she cuts Rapunzel's braid and turns her out on the street, setting unsuspecting Roger up for an amnesia-inducing fall. The two are, of course, reunited by tale's end, and Rapunzel begins a new career as a wig maker. The book's "groovy" title indicates its late-'70s setting, but the text is free of gratuitous (and to young children, incomprehensible) slang. The reteller relates her plot in simple language, trusting the illustrator to create the `70s feel with his pen-and-ink-embellished watercolor paintings. Adults who remember the period will be amused by the lava lamp, John Travolta poster, and pogo stick; children will likely focus on the cartoonish expressions of wide-eyed Rapunzel and devilish Aunt Esme. Although the quality of writing and illustration ranks this book above sheer novelty purchase, it is unlikely to stand the test of time as well as an ABBA tune.
Eve Ortega, Cypress Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Set in the late 1970s, in the age of long hair, this retelling by the creators of Cinderella: An Art Deco Story (2001) adds a dash of women's lib and groovy style to the familiar tale. Rapunzel lives in a decrepit apartment building with her evil Aunt Esme (a vicious school lunch worker), who must climb Rapunzel's braid because the elevator is broken. The prince is a local rock star, who after discovering Rapunzel, secretly spends happy afternoons with her, listening to albums. When Esme discovers the clandestine meetings, she lops off Rapunzel's hair, and separates the young people. The happy ending brings the couple together again, not as lovers, but as "best friends" (this is a chaste retelling), and independent Rapunzel sets up a wig business with the remains of her braid. Children may not catch all the 1970s in-jokes scattered among the wild, technically impressive ink-and-watercolor illustrations, but they'll delight in the expressive characters, engaging language, and humorous ties to the modern world. A winning version that will also appeal to high-school art students. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810942429
• ISBN-13: 978-0810942424
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 10.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #670,650 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars red heads take notice, January 9, 2007

By	Marilyn "G-ma" (SC) - See all my reviews

My grandaughter has beautiful red hair and what first attracted her to the book when we went to the library on one of her visits for Camp G-pa G-ma, was the fact that Rupunzel had red hair as well. We read it several times during her visit. The next year she came back for "camp" and the first thing she wanted at the library was this book but it was checked out.I was surprised that she remembered it. She was also so disappointed they didn't have it that she had me checking to see if it was in everyday she was here so of course I had to buy it for her. I think it says a lot for a book that a child who first read it at the age of 4 would remember it for an entire year. It is the same old story but with a contemporary twist. I'm just sorry I didn't buy it for her sooner. It is a fun book to read and the illustrations are great.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Really Is Groovy!, July 20, 2006

By	Louis Higgins "Louis Higgins" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My daughter and her parents are crazy about Lynn Roberts. The stories are completely engaging. And the pictures are so interesting and fun that it is a pleasure to read them over and over again.

Roberts offers a cute and off-the-wall take on classic stories. And there is something fun for everyone in them. This book really is extraordinarily groovy!

5.0 out of 5 stars a gift of love, January 20, 2009

By	miss "mammie" (yelm) - See all my reviews

my son bought this book for his wife of 8 years. they both enjoy this type of fairy tale and she loves it and him.