Rumpelstiltskin

Zelinsky, Paul O.  1986.  Rumpelstiltskin.  New York: E.P. Dutton.  ISBN 0525442650    

Plot:

The story begins with a mysterious creature,  small in stature who is deceitful towards the miller's daughter.  The man offers his power to turn straw to gold for the miller's daughter in order to please  the king demands.  This power is not without giving something in return , a firstborn child.

Critical Analysis:

The characters of the story are the man who goes by the name of Rumpelstiltskin and the miller's daughter.  The supporting characters, the miller, who is mentioned briefly in the story but is underdeveloped and the king who is in and out of the storyline.  The king's character is not consistent in every page but does make an entrance to see the gold thread.

The setting is a straw-filled room and a spinning wheel in which will be used for gold.  The style of the story is surrounded by the mystery of Rumpelstiltskin and his magical powers.  How does the little man know when someone is in need?  Rumpelstiltskin preys on the innocent and takes advantage of the miller's daughter. 

The  main theme is full of deception by Rumpelstiltskin which is seemingly chronicled throughout the book.  The tone is somber, due to the desperation, of the miller's daughter to pay her debt.   The miller's daughter outsmarts the man by answering his question by using trickery herself. 

The illustrations are colorful prints that follow each scene so that if a reader was unable to comprehend the storyline, it could be seen as a visual aide.

 

Excerpts:

From School Library Journal: "Zelinsky's smooth retelling and glowing pictures cast the story in a new and beautiful light."

Patron, Susan.  1986.   Review of Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky.  School Library Journal 33(2):168.

From Kirkus Reviews: "The miller's daughter/queen has the face of a madonna, although her expressions are contemporary enough to interest modern children in her plight."

Kirkus Reviews.  1986.  "Review of Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky.  Accessed September 22.  https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jacob-grimm/rumpelstiltskin-7/.

Awards:

Caldecott Honor Book (1987)

School Library Journal Best Book

Connections:

other books by Paul O. Zelinsky

Rapunzel ISBN 01423011930

The Wheels on the Bus ISBN 0525446443

Knick Knack Paddywhack  ISBN 0525469087

                       

-Activities for children-

Children can be asked to write what the moral lessons are in the book.

Children can write what their thoughts about the story and share with the class.  This will give an idea of how they comprehended the story and lesson.

Personal Response:

            The book is somewhat of a sad story in which a person must decide what is more important to them.  There are several moral dilemmas in the book that are heartbreaking and others are lessons to learn.  The emotional pull to find out the ending creates a suspense that has to be solved. The secrecy of the man's name is revealed.