Rapunzel, by Paul O. Zelinsky, gave me the feeling that I was looking at a beautiful painting every time I turned the page. There is no wonder that this is a Caldecott winner for 1997. The story is a typical take on the popular fairy tale but with more depth. I think the character development for the book was lacking. By the end, we don't know if Rapunzel had dreams or even a brain. She could just be a pretty face.
The story starts with a couple who has trouble conceiving. When the wife finally becomes pregnant, she craves the herb Rapunzel from the evil sorceress's garden. She craves it so much, in fact, that she fears she may die without it. Her dutiful husband sneaks into the garden but gets caught. The sorceress bargains that she will let him take the Rapunzel if he gives her their first born. Afraid for his wife's life, the husband agrees.They name the daughter, Rapunzel. The sorceress takes Rapunzel and locks her away in a tower. The only way to get in through a window at the very top. Rapunzel throws down her hair and the sorceress climbs up. One day a prince walking through the forest hears Rapunzel's’ singing and instantly falls in love with her. He climbs up her hair and asks her to marry him then and there. They have a private wedding and he visits every time the sorceress leaves. Rapunzel becomes pregnant and when the sorcerer finds out, she banishes her and cuts off her hair. That evening the sorceress tricks the prince and he falls to the ground and becomes blind. He searches for Rapunzel for over a year and finally hears her singing voice. Rapunzel's tears of joy give the prince back his sight and she introduces him to his sons. They all go back to the kingdom and live happily ever after.
I have to admit that this book made me giggle inappropriately. The way that the Sorceress finds out Rapunzel has been seeing a man is because Rapunzel becomes miraculously pregnant. Which makes me think, "What was going on in that tower?" Also, the prince marries Rapunzel in secret shortly after meeting her. He doesn't try to take her out of the tower. It's like he wants her to be stuck in one place so he can visit her but maintain his own freedom. This is my personal opinion though.
This would be useful in the classroom as a comparative tool. Students could choose a fairytale and compare different versions of it. They could even write their own version of Rapunzel.
I definitely laughed at this book too! I really like your idea of how to use it in the classroom. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having students write their own versions of this story. Then after they wrote it, they could go back and figure out the theme, plot, setting, climax, conflict/resolution and all that jazz. It would be good for upper elementary. Hopefully the sillyness of the book would make them giggle too!
ReplyDeleteI would be interested to read this version from your description. It is shame that the book did not have much character development, but it seems as though it has a good spin on the story. Also, the pictures are incredibly detailed! I am impressed :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, having your students write their own versions of Rapunzel is a good idea!
I love fairy tales but I the concept of remixing them is a wonderful way to get students interested in fair tales since they can come across as being outdated and boring. I love your idea about having the students compared other remixed versions of fairy tales. I think these types of exercise will definitely spark students' imagination and heighten their interest in literature. Way to mix it up!
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