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How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
Rapunzel sits on the 16th floor of an inner city block, bored, dreaming, and looking out at the rain. No one can rouse her from her apathy, not the milkman or the postman or the baker or her aunt — or even the prince. But when at last a letter is delivered, it contains news that has Rapunzel on her feet again. She has a new job at the library! And suddenly her life is busy, sparkling, exciting and stimulating. “For despite her long hair and her ravishing looks, she loved nothing better than reading good books!”
32 pages, Hardcover
First published November 11, 2014
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137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 13, 2024
Rather than residing in a faraway fairy tale kingdom and being locked away in a tower by some nasty witch, in the 2014 picture book How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel author Wendy Meddour's Rapunzel character lives in a modern British city and resides on the 16th floor of a large and impersonal apartment building with a broken elevator and where she sits despondent, apathetically staring out the window with nowhere to go and nothing to prove day after day and also likely although not being mentioned in How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel but of course to be assumed night after night as well, imprisoned very much like in the folktale of Rapunzel but by her own apathy, by her lack of internal drive and low self confidence, by her rather all encompassing mental health challenges.
And while How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel has multiple people approaching Rapunzel's apartment building (her tower) to offer letters, food etc. and ask Rapunzel to let down her hair so they can climb up her locks to visit, Rapunzel does not ever let down her braids, she actually does not even speak either but just sits and stares, and it takes a community of caring individuals climbing the stairs to jolt Rapunzel out of her catatonic depressive state, albeit it is of course that letter offering Rapunzel a job at the library which finally gets Rapunzel excited enough to leave her apartment and her isolating existence, but no, the "prince" is not amongst the friends and acquaintances climbing up the stairs of Rapunzel's apartment building to help, as he, after getting no reply from Rapunzel, simply leaves and is never seen or heard from again.
So yes and in my opinion, while it is indeed true that the job offer of a job at the library and most definitely not the prince saves Rapunzel (and that How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel certainly shows a sweet textual celebration of both libraries and books in general), for me and perhaps even more strongly and wonderfully, How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel also totally and absolutely demonstrates just how much the milkman, the postman, the baker and Rapunzel's aunt play important roles regarding jolting Rapunzel awake and out of her depressive indifference and passivity, and that well, Rapunzel would not even have received and opened that letter offering a library job in the first place if not for the postman climbing up the stairs and handing said job offer to Rapunzel.
Now Wendy Meddour's text for How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel rhymes beautifully and engagingly, and is (for me) verbally gloriously showing Rapunzel moving from apathy to lively happiness, to excitement (and to having a satisfying and emotionally fulfilling job at the library) through the agency of her friends and acquaintances (but yes, just to once more reiterate with no prince having any part at all in How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel, and which totally makes me massively smile) and with Rebecca Ashdown’s gorgeous, expressive and nicely ethnically diverse accompanying illustrations both reflecting and also visually expanding on Meddour's printed words, a solidly and also surprising four star reading experience for in particular my inner child. But I guess I should also point out that while I really do love love love How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel, I would also not all that much consider How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel as an actual retelling of the Rapunzel folktale but more Meddour just using the name Rapunzel to show a celebration of books, libraries and successfully escaping from emotional depression and detachment.
And while How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel has multiple people approaching Rapunzel's apartment building (her tower) to offer letters, food etc. and ask Rapunzel to let down her hair so they can climb up her locks to visit, Rapunzel does not ever let down her braids, she actually does not even speak either but just sits and stares, and it takes a community of caring individuals climbing the stairs to jolt Rapunzel out of her catatonic depressive state, albeit it is of course that letter offering Rapunzel a job at the library which finally gets Rapunzel excited enough to leave her apartment and her isolating existence, but no, the "prince" is not amongst the friends and acquaintances climbing up the stairs of Rapunzel's apartment building to help, as he, after getting no reply from Rapunzel, simply leaves and is never seen or heard from again.
So yes and in my opinion, while it is indeed true that the job offer of a job at the library and most definitely not the prince saves Rapunzel (and that How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel certainly shows a sweet textual celebration of both libraries and books in general), for me and perhaps even more strongly and wonderfully, How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel also totally and absolutely demonstrates just how much the milkman, the postman, the baker and Rapunzel's aunt play important roles regarding jolting Rapunzel awake and out of her depressive indifference and passivity, and that well, Rapunzel would not even have received and opened that letter offering a library job in the first place if not for the postman climbing up the stairs and handing said job offer to Rapunzel.
Now Wendy Meddour's text for How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel rhymes beautifully and engagingly, and is (for me) verbally gloriously showing Rapunzel moving from apathy to lively happiness, to excitement (and to having a satisfying and emotionally fulfilling job at the library) through the agency of her friends and acquaintances (but yes, just to once more reiterate with no prince having any part at all in How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel, and which totally makes me massively smile) and with Rebecca Ashdown’s gorgeous, expressive and nicely ethnically diverse accompanying illustrations both reflecting and also visually expanding on Meddour's printed words, a solidly and also surprising four star reading experience for in particular my inner child. But I guess I should also point out that while I really do love love love How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel, I would also not all that much consider How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel as an actual retelling of the Rapunzel folktale but more Meddour just using the name Rapunzel to show a celebration of books, libraries and successfully escaping from emotional depression and detachment.
September 16, 2017
"So don't just wait for your prince to show,
he might turn up, but you never know,
Pop down to your library and borrow a book
there's so much to find out if you only look."
nothing can be truer!!
he might turn up, but you never know,
Pop down to your library and borrow a book
there's so much to find out if you only look."
nothing can be truer!!
November 9, 2014
Just brilliant!
August 16, 2015
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
4.5 Stars.
The title of this book alone had me really intrigued. I was sensing a possible feminist fairy tale retelling, and that was exactly what I got, but so much more. How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown is a fantastic picture book, with all kinds of wonderful messages.
Rapunzel sits high up in the tower block where she lives, alone and miserable. Those who visit her try to help, but they don't seem to be able to reach her, she just stares out the window. Not even the Prince has any affect on her. When she finally opens a letter the postman delivers, everything changes. It's come from the library, and they have some important news that gets her smiling again!
How the Library is a book that promotes a good work ethic, with the idea that having a purpose is the key to a happy life. The letter Rapunzel receives is a job offer from the library, and now Rapunzel has some meaning to her life, she is back to her happy, sunny self again. Rapunzel doesn't need a man, she needs something to do.
It also seems to touch on mental health. Rapunzel is morose and despondent. She had "nowhere to go," "nothing to prove," "nothing to say," and "nothing to think". She won't eat, she won't leave the house, she won't talk to anyone, until her friends - the milkman, the postman, the baker and her auntie - orchestrate an intervention.
The lift had broken down, and no-one really wanted to climb all the stairs due to ill-health, but seeing how Rapunzel has shut herself off from the world in the tower - her almost self-imposed imprisonment - they realise they have to do more to help her, and they climb the stairs to her flat. They cook her some food and get her to eat, and are just there for her. And when she reads the letter, it's the one good thing she needs that turns her life around.
From page 12 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
Ashdown has down a wonderful job of making How the Library a really diverse book with her illustrations, which is so wonderful to see. Not just in the characters who visit Rapunzel, but in the people out and about near the tower block. The Prince, who appears only briefly, is a person of colour, which is just brilliant - he's modern and trendy too!
From page 10 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
And this is probably not as important as all the other things How the Library covers, but it's so pro-libraries and reading! Not only does the library give Rapunzel a job, but she gets to read so many books and she learns so many things! One of the parting messages encourages girls to be more concerned with books than boys.
From page 17 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
Although this book is mostly pretty feminist, there are two ideas in How the Library that I find partially problematic. Once Rapunzel has read the letter and is happy again, she fixes the lift "in a ladylike manner!" (p17). I'm all for the idea that girls can fix things as well as boys, but I winced a little at how Rapunzel was "ladylike" while she fixed it. It's a small thing, but it perpetuates the idea that there is a "girlish" / "ladylike" way of doing things, and that there is a "boyish" way, and girls should be "ladylike". It's almost a mixed message; yes, girls can do things that are stereotypically things boys do, but only if they're ladylike while they do them. I know "manner" rhymes with "spanner", but I do wish they managed to make it rhyme without this idea.
Also, when her friends make it up to her flat, they find Rapunzel "sat alone with only her cats" (p14). Again, cats rhyme with flat, I get that, but it's the cat lady idea. The book might be saying girls don't need boys to have a full life, but still, without them, girls are alone with their cats. It feeds in to the stereotype, I think.
From page 14 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
As I said, these are only small things. The book on the whole really is brilliant, with it's great message and by challenging gender roles, and would make a wonderful addition to child's feminist library.
Thank you to Frances Lincoln for the review copy.
4.5 Stars.
The title of this book alone had me really intrigued. I was sensing a possible feminist fairy tale retelling, and that was exactly what I got, but so much more. How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown is a fantastic picture book, with all kinds of wonderful messages.
Rapunzel sits high up in the tower block where she lives, alone and miserable. Those who visit her try to help, but they don't seem to be able to reach her, she just stares out the window. Not even the Prince has any affect on her. When she finally opens a letter the postman delivers, everything changes. It's come from the library, and they have some important news that gets her smiling again!
How the Library is a book that promotes a good work ethic, with the idea that having a purpose is the key to a happy life. The letter Rapunzel receives is a job offer from the library, and now Rapunzel has some meaning to her life, she is back to her happy, sunny self again. Rapunzel doesn't need a man, she needs something to do.
It also seems to touch on mental health. Rapunzel is morose and despondent. She had "nowhere to go," "nothing to prove," "nothing to say," and "nothing to think". She won't eat, she won't leave the house, she won't talk to anyone, until her friends - the milkman, the postman, the baker and her auntie - orchestrate an intervention.
The lift had broken down, and no-one really wanted to climb all the stairs due to ill-health, but seeing how Rapunzel has shut herself off from the world in the tower - her almost self-imposed imprisonment - they realise they have to do more to help her, and they climb the stairs to her flat. They cook her some food and get her to eat, and are just there for her. And when she reads the letter, it's the one good thing she needs that turns her life around.
From page 12 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
Ashdown has down a wonderful job of making How the Library a really diverse book with her illustrations, which is so wonderful to see. Not just in the characters who visit Rapunzel, but in the people out and about near the tower block. The Prince, who appears only briefly, is a person of colour, which is just brilliant - he's modern and trendy too!
From page 10 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
And this is probably not as important as all the other things How the Library covers, but it's so pro-libraries and reading! Not only does the library give Rapunzel a job, but she gets to read so many books and she learns so many things! One of the parting messages encourages girls to be more concerned with books than boys.
'So don't wait for your prince to show.
He might turn up, but you never know.
Pop down to your library and borrow a book -
there's SO MUCH to find out if only you look. (p25)
From page 17 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
Although this book is mostly pretty feminist, there are two ideas in How the Library that I find partially problematic. Once Rapunzel has read the letter and is happy again, she fixes the lift "in a ladylike manner!" (p17). I'm all for the idea that girls can fix things as well as boys, but I winced a little at how Rapunzel was "ladylike" while she fixed it. It's a small thing, but it perpetuates the idea that there is a "girlish" / "ladylike" way of doing things, and that there is a "boyish" way, and girls should be "ladylike". It's almost a mixed message; yes, girls can do things that are stereotypically things boys do, but only if they're ladylike while they do them. I know "manner" rhymes with "spanner", but I do wish they managed to make it rhyme without this idea.
Also, when her friends make it up to her flat, they find Rapunzel "sat alone with only her cats" (p14). Again, cats rhyme with flat, I get that, but it's the cat lady idea. The book might be saying girls don't need boys to have a full life, but still, without them, girls are alone with their cats. It feeds in to the stereotype, I think.
From page 14 of How the Library (Not the Prince) Saved Rapunzel
by Wendy Meddour & Rebecca Ashdown.
As I said, these are only small things. The book on the whole really is brilliant, with it's great message and by challenging gender roles, and would make a wonderful addition to child's feminist library.
Thank you to Frances Lincoln for the review copy.
September 23, 2016
Rapunzel lives on the 16th floor of an apartment building with a broken lift. Several people try to get her to let down her hair so they can come up but Rapunzel just sits. She doesn't move, doesn't eat, doesn't speak. Not even her prince can rouse her (although frankly I didn't think he was much of a prince). But then she is offered a job at the library and she shouts with glee, fixes the lift and hurries to the library. There she reads and works and learns and she is happy.
The story is told in rhyme and the illustrations are detailed and colorful. The other characters come from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities which is a nice touch.
The story is told in rhyme and the illustrations are detailed and colorful. The other characters come from a variety of backgrounds and ethnicities which is a nice touch.
February 12, 2015
Refreshingly different message for a "princess-y" book. I also appreciated the people of many races and cultures featured in the book.
From the last page:
"So don't just wait for your prince to show.
He might turn up, but you never know.
Pop down to your library and borrow a book-
there's SO MUCH to find if only you look."
From the last page:
"So don't just wait for your prince to show.
He might turn up, but you never know.
Pop down to your library and borrow a book-
there's SO MUCH to find if only you look."
March 17, 2015
If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
May 23, 2017
Text: 3 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars
So don't just wait for your prince to show.
He might turn up, but you never know.
This picture book's message is a great one, but the story's text doesn't fully support that message, especially not in the first half of the book.
This second theme is more fully incorporated into the text, but again, only in the second half of the story:
Pop down to your library and borrow a book -
there's SO MUCH to find out if only you look.
Illustrations are modern and kinetic, but don't feel like a close match for the text.
Illustrations: 3 stars
So don't just wait for your prince to show.
He might turn up, but you never know.
This picture book's message is a great one, but the story's text doesn't fully support that message, especially not in the first half of the book.
This second theme is more fully incorporated into the text, but again, only in the second half of the story:
Pop down to your library and borrow a book -
there's SO MUCH to find out if only you look.
Illustrations are modern and kinetic, but don't feel like a close match for the text.
August 5, 2020
A glorious modern day retelling of Rapunzel. I admit that I was probably most intrigued by the title and how the library might save Rapunzel. While that sang to my heart, ultimately this was a tale of not only female empowerment but not waiting for someone else to save you but saving yourself. There is great rhythm to the text and plenty going on in the illustrations. Being part of a caring community will also resonate with many readers. Well worth while.
March 1, 2019
Lovely book about the virtue of books and libraries and not waiting around for a prince and growing your hair. Contains a good variety of characters from different backgrounds, great for challenging mainstream narratives.
November 6, 2014
High above the city in her apartment building, Rapunzel waits and waits, extraordinarily bored. Readers familiar with the classic story will figure that she's waiting for her prince to come and rescue from her boredom, but that's not what happens. Oh, yes, the prince comes as well as relatives and even the baker and the postman, but she turns them all away. What causes her to leave her lofty tower? The chance to become a librarian and read tons of books every day. The lively digital illustrations show Rapunzel's hair in all its glory as well as the delight with which she approaches her mission in life. While I love, love, love the positive message about self-empowerment and not waiting for someone to rescue you, some of the verses are a bit clunky to read aloud and make readers sound a bit breathless. Still, there is something positive to be said about any book that celebrates the wonders of literacy and the library.
September 6, 2024
This fun story tells how a bored and listless Rapunzel gets a new life when she gets a job at the library. This red-headed gal not only learns the pleasures of reading, but also the satisfaction of helping children find books suited to them. The slapdash cartoon illustrations are full of life and color.
February 29, 2016
Just read this to a school class at the library for World Book Day. They were enraptured by the story. As was I. A brilliant retelling of the tale. With a Rapunzel who has lost her sparkle which not even her prince, or her auntie's fish pie can rekindle until she gets a job at the library which changes her life!
March 3, 2015
Wendy Meddourin ja Rebecca Ashdownin runomuotoinen kuvakirja kirjaston eheyttävästä vaikutuksesta paikalleen jämähtäneeseen prinsessaan. Lukeminen on parempi juttu kuin skootteria ajava prinssi!
March 23, 2015
This book is adorable. Different than most of your damsel in distress ones. Rapunzel saves herself :)
November 5, 2018
I wasn't convinced by the jump from Rapunzel suffering from apparently real depression, no dinner for weeks? to being 'saved' by the library. It isn't my intention to be too politically correct and will usually champion deep truth in literature, especially when presented in an authentic and thought provocative way for younger readers, but this didn't work for me. My kids asked for it a couple of times in the weeks we had this from the library, but I wouldn't say they loved it or really connected to it on a deep level. I'm afraid all of my listeners joined me in the half-hearted response. I'm all for strong girls and talking about the need for resilience and self-reliance but this time, I'll save my shelf space.
November 6, 2018
A really sweet fun story. The rhyming language helps the story flow and support children’s skills of reading aloud. The illustrations are bright and colourful with a wide range of characters from different ethnicities making it fun and vibrant.
The story holds a strong message of the power and enjoyment of having a purpose/job and being proactive in life rather than waiting for things to come to you.
This could be useful when giving children responsibility and roles within the classroom - explaining why you are doing it and why it may help.
The story holds a strong message of the power and enjoyment of having a purpose/job and being proactive in life rather than waiting for things to come to you.
This could be useful when giving children responsibility and roles within the classroom - explaining why you are doing it and why it may help.
January 2, 2018
Came across this book in a shop in Dublin, Ireland and thought it would be a good fractured fairytale. I think my students would enjoy this version of Rapunzel - and have fun with the British expressions. Life would indeed be very different without books. Always good to see a story that puts the main character in charge of making their life better. Also liked the detailed and colorful illustrations.
July 13, 2018
The message of this book is FANTASTIC! Don't sit around waiting for things to happen to you or for a prince to come along, go do something you find exciting and inspiring, and maybe read lots of books and learn new things. I like the pictures and the diversity as well. HOWEVER, the rhyme is pretty bad, and this book overuses the word "whilst," which I HATE. This needed a better writer. Super disappointing. Would still display or recommend based on the message and the illustrations.
February 6, 2019
Rapunzel is trapped in a tower. Many come to visit her, but she won't let down her hair. My students noticed that she changed outfits often. :)
They finally staged an intervention of sorts. The mailman finally gave her her letter. That cheered up Rapunzel as she learned she had gotten a job at the library. No longer sullen in her apartment, Rapunzel presented herself and went to work.
I like the illustrations in this. The rhyming pattern was fun. The story was so-so.
They finally staged an intervention of sorts. The mailman finally gave her her letter. That cheered up Rapunzel as she learned she had gotten a job at the library. No longer sullen in her apartment, Rapunzel presented herself and went to work.
I like the illustrations in this. The rhyming pattern was fun. The story was so-so.
October 11, 2019
Loved it!!! Oh wow what a great pace to a story full of rhythm and rhyme. Also an example of how you can be creative with writing and how you set out the words on the page. I also like how the main character is a girl who doesn't need the traditional prince but just needed some good old books. A great story to encourage reading in the classroom. Could use this book as an introduction to visiting the local library or talking about their favourite story and promote reading within the class!
February 24, 2024
I did not care for this remake of Rapunzel at all. Instead of being set in the woods, it is set in a busy city. There is no wicked witch, and all kinds of people know about Rapunzel. The prince is a crummy prince.
I don't care for when fairy tale remakes decide the princess doesn't need love. There is nothing wrong with falling in love, with needing help from a man sometimes. This false idea of "feminism" some people have concocted is just depressing.
I don't care for when fairy tale remakes decide the princess doesn't need love. There is nothing wrong with falling in love, with needing help from a man sometimes. This false idea of "feminism" some people have concocted is just depressing.
November 10, 2021
A lovely book that brings awareness to the importance of having something to do. Rapunzel sits doing nothing, eating nothing, and talking to nobody, until she finds out she got a job at the library. With a new sense of purpose, Rapunzel ends up surrounded by the books she loves and a reaffirmation that the people in her life love her and support her.
December 12, 2021
A retelling of the story of Rapunzel that brings in community, employment, and the value of books (and what they can bring to us). There are similarities with the traditional version, a prince, long hair, a tower (which is a tower block). Feels a tiny bit preachy at the end about the value of books, but it’s a far cry from the somewhat passive happily ever after theme of the original.
October 28, 2023
Rounded down the star rating. Not only is Rapunzel a selfish lay-about who unbelievably still has friends, but the very premise is wrong. Rapunzel in the original winds up going through much harder trials than the prince did in order to win him back. Never thought I'd diss an ode to libraries, but, yeah, this fails.
June 13, 2019
This picture book is the story of my life! Apathetic, locked in the house, not interested in handsome princes.. until I got a library job and now everything is shiny.
(Still not interested in handsome princes. Want a cat)
(Still not interested in handsome princes. Want a cat)
October 10, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this picturebook because throughout the story they used rhyming couplets. To add to this, there was repetition of a phrase. This is good as it allows the children to join in with the story. Lastly, the book was multi-cultural.
August 8, 2017
A fun idea but some of the rhyming seems forced
November 7, 2017
"So don't just wait for your prince to show./He might turn up, but you never know./Pop down to your library and borrow a book - / there's SO MUCH to find out if you only look."
November 15, 2017
Cute rhyming story about the power of books and libraries.
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