Rumpelstiltskin

 

Bibliographic Data: 

 Zelinsky, Paul O. 1986. Rumpelstiltskin. New York: E.P. Dutton.

ISBN 9780140558647

Plot Summary:

Rumpelstiltskin is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale. A miller, in an attempt to impress the king, claims his daughter can spin straw into gold, though she cannot. The king orders that the girl come to the castle where she is placed in a room full of straw and expected to spin all the straw into gold by morning. Distraught, the miller’s daughter begins to cry until a strange little man appears in the doorway. He says he will spin all of the straw into gold in return for the young girl’s necklace that first night. She is expected to do the same the second night and the little man take the girl's ring.The king presents the girl with even more straw the following night and says that she will become queen if the straw is spun into gold by morning. This time the girl has nothing to bargain, but the little man says he will spin the gold if the girl promises that when she is queen, her first born will belong to him. She agrees and becomes queen. A year later, the queen has a baby boy and the little man returns. The queen begs the little man not to take the child and the man agrees that if she can recite his name within three days, he will not take the child. The next day the queen guesses all the names she can think of, but the little man only responds with “that is not my name.” The second day she poses strange and unusual names, but still does not guess correctly. The queen sends her servant to find the little man and the servant is able to hear his name. When the little man confronts the queen on the final day, the queen reveals his name to be Rumpelstiltskin and the little man flew away and was never heard from again.

Critical Analysis:

This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is one that is simplistic with storytelling and meticulous and detailed with illustrations. The story follows a basic, cumulative pattern where the miller’s daughter is consistently confronted by Rumpelstiltskin. The illustrations are impressive oil paintings full of vibrant colors and exquisite detail. The dress and setting are authentic to the time period. The character’s themselves, particularly Rumpelstiltskin, are portrayed imaginatively accurate to the classic tale.

Awards:

Randolph Caldecott Medal, 1987

Parent’s Choice Award, 1986
 

Review Excerpt(s):

Children’s Literature review, 1986:
“Based on the Grimm brothers' earliest version, Zelinsky's beautifully detailed oil paintings depict the medieval time period wonderfully and add a creative element to this well-known tale.”

 

Publisher’s Weekly review, 1986:

“Rumpelstiltskin is a tour de force by an immensely talented artist. Zelinsky is that rare practitioner who can create sophisticated work that adults will marvel at, and that children will joyfully embrace.”

 

Connections:

* Some great lesson plan ideas via Paul O. Zelinsky’s website: http://www.paulozelinsky.com/rumpelstiltskin_lessons.html

* Ask students to create their own illustrated versions of Rumpelstiltskin.

*Other versions of Rumpelstiltskin:

Grimm, Jacob; Grimm, Wilhelm. Rumpelstiltskin ISBN 9780893751180
Green, Robyn; Bronwen, Scarffe; Ill. Roy, Helen. Rumpelstiltskin. ISBN  9781572550001
Powell, Martin. Rumpelstiltskin: the graphic novel. ISBN 9781434207685