Rumpelstiltskin

View other editions of Rumpelstiltskin.
View books by Paul O. Zelinsky.

Richly illustrated - Rated
Zelinsky's artwork makes this. The miller's daughter and Rumplestiltskin are very well rendered (interesting how the former's features reflect careworn stress in some of the scenes) and the style of the interiors have echoes of miniatures from mediaeval illuminated manuscripts. Highly recommended.

A Confusing Grimm Brothers Tale with Beautiful Illustrations - Rated
This version of Rumpelstiltskin is based on the second edition of the Grimms' work in 1819, with some language from later versions and a few additions by Mr. Zelinsky. All of this is detailed in the author's note at the end of the book. The high points here are the matchless, detailed illustrations that mimic oil paintings in delicate, detailed pastels. These images create a majesty and power that add to the mystery of this most powerful story. This version will leave some unsatisfied for the apparent foolishness of the miller and the needless cruelty of the king.

The miller visits the king and brags that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king sends for her, and bids her to do this overnight, or be killed the following morning. She is locked up with a spinning wheel and straw. She weeps in despair because she has no idea of how to do that . . . until a little man comes in and offers to help. She trades her necklace for his aid, and soon the straw becomes golden bobbins of thread. The king likes this and demands that she do it again the next night. The little man again offers to help. She trades her ring this time for his assistance. The king then comes and says she must do it a third time or die. If she succeeds, he will marry her. With nothing left to pay the little man, she has to agree to his request for her first born child. After the child is born, the little man returns for his reward. She persuades him to give her three days to guess his name. If she succeeds, she does not have to give up her child. A servant follows him into the woods and hears him say, "Rumpelstiltskin is my name." The queen "guesses" correctly and he rides off on a spoon never to be heard from again.

This story always bothered me when I was a child. Why were the men all so unreasonable? I still find myself feeling that way 50 years later. I avoided reading this story to my children when they were little. I didn't think it had the redeeming values of most folk talkes.

The reason for reading this book is to enjoy the illustrations, so I recommend that you get it for yourself (rather than for your child) if you liked the story as a youngster. If you didn't like the story, even the illustrations won't save it for you.

The book won a Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.

After you finish reading the book or thinking about the story (if you don't read it), I suggest you consider your own conduct to locate any places where you make promises or say things that create problems for others. Be sure you aren't acting like the miller.

Act honorably, and inspire that in others!

A beautiful presentation of a famous tale. - Rated
This is a retelling of the famous children's "fairy" tale, first presented by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the early 19th century. A young mother has to guess a gnome's name (he had been spinning straw into gold for her) in order to prevent him from taking her new-born babe. This book was a 1987 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children. Paul Zelinsky did considerable research to follow the original version of the tale and his art reflects the time period of the story. It is a beautiful book.

Don't Leave Home Without It! - Rated
This retelling of Rumplestiltskin has fabulous illustrations (especially those depicting the gold) and is wonderfully told. It also manages to make the flaws in the original story (the rupulsiveness of the "king") less gruesome. Don't leave home without it (our family, whose youngest member is fifteen, is about to buy a second copy)!

Fantastic Illustrations! Great text! - Rated
This is a terrific version of the classic story. The illustrations are captivating and the text is wonderful. The Rumpelstiltskin character is a funny little man who rides around on a spoon. If you've ever seen it read on PBS' "Storytime" you'll know what I mean. We checked this book out at the library when my daughter was about 5 years old and we liked it so much that even though she's now 11, she wants to get it!