Rumpelstiltskin

Written by: Paul O. Zelinsky

Illustrated by: Paul O. Zelinsky

Published by: Puffin Books, 1986

ISBN 0-525-44265-0

Plot Summary:

The beautiful daughter of a poor miller ends of being locked in a castle because her father tells the king that she can spin straw into gold. The king locks the beautiful girl in a straw-filled room, and insists that she spin all of the straw into gold before the morning. The penalty for failure to do so—death. A small man enters the room and offers to help the girl spin the straw into gold, but he demands the girls first child in return. The king marries the beautiful girl, and they bore a son. Once again, the little man returns wanting their boy. The queen desires to keep her son, and the little man gives her three days to find out his name. Two days pass and the queen is clueless to the little man’s name. On the second evening, she sends out her most faithful servant in search of the little man. The servant learns his name, and the queen shares it with the little man the next day. After learning of the queen’s knowledge, Rumpelstiltskin storms off, never to be seen again.

Critical Analysis:

This particular version of the Brothers Grimm tale is told and illustrated beautifully. The characters have traits similar to other tradition tales. The king is greedy, and the miller’s daughter is a true portrait of innocence. The evil character in this story is clearly played by Rumpelstiltskin. The story does not have an obvious hero, while the miller’s daughter is left only to save herself. The plot throughout the story is simple, but entertaining enough for even older children to enjoy. Rumpelstiltskin takes place a long time ago and in a magical castle far away. The theme of this story centers around power and greed. The miller wanted more power, so he lied to the king about his daughter’s talents. The king was greedy, so he kept the girl in his castle, and married her only for the riches she would bring to him. The language in the story is very traditional, as the author’s goal was to keep the story true to it’s original publications by the Brothers Grimm. The illustrations in the book are beautifully done. The painted pages are only accompanied by a few lines of text per page. The carefully detailed illustrations compliment the text in a warm and wonderful way. Zelinsky’s version of Rumpelstiltskin is truly a masterpiece.

Awards and Reviews:

Caldecott Honor (1987)

American Library Association Notable Book (1987)

School Library Journal: Painstaking research and thoughtful choice of medium are the hallmarks of this Caldecott Medal winner's work. In his stunningly beautiful retelling of the Grimm tale, Zelinsky's words shine as gloriously as his golden paintings. A Caldecott Honor book.

Publishers Weekly: One of the most exquisite picture books of the season, Zelinsky's Rumplestiltskin will have strong appeal for children and for adult picture-book collectors alike. The artist has illustrated numerous award-winners, including Hansel and Gretel (a Caldecott Honor Book) and The Story of Mrs. Lovewright and Purrless Her Cat (a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year). Here Zelinsky has retold the narrative himself; he has captured the magic and frightening wonder of the tale while incorporating elements from a number of 19th century Grimm versions. The spare story flows beautifully, and the illustrations are extraordinary. Incredibly detailed full-color paintings show the influence of careful study of styles and techniques of European portrait and landscape painters. In Hansel and Gretel, the tale's dark side was communicated principally through Zelinsky's depiction of a powerful and frightening background. But here the interior scenesheaps and heaps of straw, and baskets of empty spindles, with rooms suddenly full of golden threadcarry the story. The little man Rumplestiltskin is by turns mysterious, comforting, devious, furious and pathetic. And Zelinsky shows dramatically the love that the miller's daughter has for her child, and the terror she feels when she realizes she may have to give him up. Rumplestiltskin 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: This is just one of many versions of the story of the little man named Rumpelstiltskin. The book can be read with readers of all ages and then compared to one or more different versions of the story. The author’s note at the end of the book acts as a great introduction into a study of the Brothers Grimm.

Related Titles:

Cavert, Pam. Multiplying Menace: The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin. Watertown: Charlesbridge Publishing. 2006.

Galdone, Paul. Rumpelstiltskin. San Anselmo: Sandpiper, 1990.

Hettinga, Donald R. The Brothers Grimm: Two Lives, One Legacy. Boston: Clarion Books. 2001.

Powell, Martin. Rumpelstiltskin: The Graphic Novel. Mankato: Stone Arch. 2008.