Rapunzel

Plot Summary

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair!"

Beautiful Rapunzel is locked away in a tall, tall tower, visited only by the little creatures of the forest and the witch who has imprisoned her. Until one day a handsome prince riding by is transfixed by the magical sound of Rapunzel singing to her animal friends, and knows he must reach her...

Can true love transform Rapunzel's life forever?

Awards

2011 NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing; Best Children's Books of the Year 2012, Bank Street College

Reviews

"This retelling of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale hews closely to the original--including the scary part about the prince being blinded in his fall from the tower and the couple's tearful reunion....Romantics will thrill to the flowers woven through Rapunzel's blond tresses, the delicate greenery hanging from her aerie, and the intricate, silhouetted details of the fixtures in cutaway views of various dwellings....An unapologetically frilly diversion." Publishers Weekly

STARRED REVIEW "Children and adults alike will be spellbound, poring over the pages again and again, delighting each time in new details and discoveries." Kirkus Reviews

"As pretty and pink as a young 'princess book' fan could hope, this large, picture-book version of Rapunzel leaves out the darker aspects of the original tale.....Gibb’s fine silhouette illustrations create detailed, graceful, and often dramatic scenes reminiscent of images by Arthur Rackham and Jan Piekowski. With its strong visual appeal, this picture book is sure to find its audience." Booklist

"What sets Gibb’s “Rapunzel” apart are the striking pictures, with their delicate detail and curlicued flourishes. Most are rendered in dramatic silhouette, with a limited palette, but are no less lush than the book’s vibrant full-color spreads. The story, happier than usual, culminates in a wedding feast, Rapunzel reunited with her long-lost parents. And her hair is still longer than most little girls’ could possibly desire."

New York Times Online

Associated Keywords
Fairy tales, The Brothers Grimm, classic, princesses, princess