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Rumpelstiltskin
In order to make himself appear more important, a miller lies to a king, telling him that his daughter can spin straw into gold. In reality, the girl is lazy and has never learned to spin at all. The king calls for the girl, shuts her in a tower room filled with straw and a spinning wheel, and demands that she spin the straw into gold by morning, or he will strike off her head (other versions have the king threatening to lock her up in a dungeon forever). She has given up all hope, when an impish creature appears in the room and promises to spin the straw into gold for her in return for her necklace. When the king takes the girl on the next morning to a larger room filled with straw, the imp spins in return for the girl's ring. On the third day, when the girl has been taken to a still-larger room filled with straw and told by the king that he will marry her if she can fill this room with gold and kill her if she cannot, the girl has nothing left with which to pay the strange creature. He extracts from her a promise that her firstborn child will be given to him, and spins the room full of gold a final time.
The king keeps his promise to marry the miller's daughter, but when their first child is born, the imp returns to claim his payment: "Now give me what you promised." The now-queen offers him all the wealth she has if she can keep the child. The imp has no interest in her riches but finally consents to give up his claim to the child if the queen is able to guess his name within three days.
The king keeps his promise to marry the miller's daughter, but when their first child is born, the imp returns to claim his payment: "Now give me what you promised." The now-queen offers him all the wealth she has if she can keep the child. The imp has no interest in her riches but finally consents to give up his claim to the child if the queen is able to guess his name within three days.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1888
63 people are currently reading
4109 people want to read
About the author
Jacob Grimm
5,787 books2,284 followersGerman philologist and folklorist Jakob Ludwig Karl Grimm in 1822 formulated Grimm's Law, the basis for much of modern comparative linguistics. With his brother Wilhelm Karl Grimm (1786-1859), he collected Germanic folk tales and published them as
Grimm's Fairy Tales
(1812-1815).
Indo-European stop consonants, represented in Germanic, underwent the regular changes that Grimm's Law describes; this law essentially states that Indo-European p shifted to Germanic f, t shifted to th, and k shifted to h. Indo-European b shifted to Germanic p, d shifted to t, and g shifted to k. Indo-European bh shifted to Germanic b, dh shifted to d, and gh shifted to g.
This jurist and mythologist also authored the monumental German Dictionary and his Deutsche Mythologie .
Adapted from Wikipedia.
Indo-European stop consonants, represented in Germanic, underwent the regular changes that Grimm's Law describes; this law essentially states that Indo-European p shifted to Germanic f, t shifted to th, and k shifted to h. Indo-European b shifted to Germanic p, d shifted to t, and g shifted to k. Indo-European bh shifted to Germanic b, dh shifted to d, and gh shifted to g.
This jurist and mythologist also authored the monumental German Dictionary and his Deutsche Mythologie .
Adapted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 737 reviews
May 27, 2019
I have always loved this story as a kid. I still never completely understood it though. I mean Rumpelstiltskin does save this girls life. The thing I have never understood is that the girl is threatened 3 times by this king guy and if she can’t spin straw into gold she will die. He seems like quite the villain to me, but she ends up marrying him. That is pretty messed up. You were going to kill me, great, let’s get married, you are husband material. Then, this strange little man does a job for you, you agree on payment and then he ends up the bad guy. She didn’t have to offer up her child, but she did. She made the agreement. I think he wanted her to overhear his name. He seems to know what’s going on around that castle. He always shows up just when he’s needed. I think he was saying his name in the woods so the girl wouldn’t have to give up the child. He didn’t have to give her 3 nights to guess his name. It’s all a ruse. Rumpelstiltskin is the hero of this messed up story.
The artwork is like Rapunzel, it’s a Italian Renaissance style like that other book. It’s very beautiful. Paul did say that he used the 2nd edition of the Grimm’s Fairy tales to tell this story.
I want to see this get a Disney movie, but Rumpelstiltskin is the hero of the story and he is some sort of do gooder. Maybe I need to write this thing. It would take me 20 years to do that. Well, someone else can. Rumpelstiltskin looks like a bug-eyed creepy thing here. He is a strange little man.
The niece likes this story too, but she picked up on the girl marrying the king after he threatened her life. She thought that was stupid. Spinning straw to gold is quite enchanting and she liked the story as well. She gave it 4 stars. The nephew thought Rumpelstiltskin was very cool. He thought he was a type of monster. He thought spinning straw into gold was pretty good. He liked this story too and he gave this 4 stars. 4 stars all around.
The artwork is like Rapunzel, it’s a Italian Renaissance style like that other book. It’s very beautiful. Paul did say that he used the 2nd edition of the Grimm’s Fairy tales to tell this story.
I want to see this get a Disney movie, but Rumpelstiltskin is the hero of the story and he is some sort of do gooder. Maybe I need to write this thing. It would take me 20 years to do that. Well, someone else can. Rumpelstiltskin looks like a bug-eyed creepy thing here. He is a strange little man.
The niece likes this story too, but she picked up on the girl marrying the king after he threatened her life. She thought that was stupid. Spinning straw to gold is quite enchanting and she liked the story as well. She gave it 4 stars. The nephew thought Rumpelstiltskin was very cool. He thought he was a type of monster. He thought spinning straw into gold was pretty good. He liked this story too and he gave this 4 stars. 4 stars all around.
October 11, 2020
This review is going to be a bit different in so far that I am mostly posting general musings about both this story, but more particularly, the Rumpestilzchen type tales in folklore and tradition.
RUMPELSTILZCHEN TALES
Most of the Rumpelstilzchen type fairy and folktales are basically examples of resourceful women outsmarting a for all intents and purposes demonic presence, an entity who might originally seem helpful, but who is, in fact, only helpful because he/she/it wants to obtain the girls' souls, or their unborn children, or actually, both (they want everything, body and soul). Thus, I have always rejoiced that the evil little imps of these tales (who are also usually portrayed as so cocksure of themselves) are generally roundly and soundly outsmarted and defeated by the female protagonists, and have not as a rule ever felt that the girls presented owe their so-called "helpers" much if any gratitude at all (as right from the beginning, it is usually abundantly clear that the seemingly helpful gnomes are after the girls' possessions, and all of their possessions).
However, it must also be stated that in the majority of these tales, the female protagonists are put into problematic and dangerous situations not due to their OWN actions, their own words, but due to the actions and words of those around them (their fathers, mothers, stepmothers, even the greedy kings or merchants who strive to obtain more and more riches, more and more gold, and would kill if thwarted in their endeavours, in many ways, they are also unnatural and actually even on par with the imps and demons who pretend to help and sustain the girls). In the Rumpelstilzchen story of the Brothers Grimm, it is the father of the girl (the miller) who originally brags to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold and thus endangers her life (if she cannot do this task, she will be killed, she will be executed). Later, the king gets more and more greedy, keeping the unfortunate girl incarcerated, spinning threads into gold, thus forcing her to finally promise the imp her unborn child (already having given away both her necklace and then her ring). And it is thus the miller's vanity and desire to impress the monarch, and later the king's greedy lust for more and more riches that have in every way created the poor girl's dilemma, and really, no blame should therefore fall on the girl; she simply does what she needs to survive, to protect her unborn child and herself. In other, similar European tales (from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, England etc.), an evil stepmother or a jealous, angry mother make outrageous claims that their daughters or stepdaughters can spin gold, to get rid of them, to punish them for supposed laziness, to put them in a position where their inability to be able to do what the mother or stepmother have claimed, will likely cause the daughters' or stepdaughters' destruction and potential demise.
However, while thus in almost ALL of these stories, there are other less obviously guilty antagonists than the scheming seemingly helpful (but in reality harmful) goblins, namely the greedy kings, merchants, barons etc., whose increasing demand for gold and riches at all costs precipitate the action and leave the female protagonists in dire straits and vulnerable to the machinations of the "helpful" imps and demons, there are usually NO actual consequences for these "players" (and even for the parents, the stepparents, the individuals who first bragged about the girls' supposed gold spinning talents, there are usually no nasty or negative repercussions either).
And in NONE of the Rumpelstilzchen type tales I have read to date (except for the exquisite West Indian variant The Girl Who Spun Gold) are there ever apologies (or even much acknowledgement of responsibility) by the father/mother/stepmother who originally tells the lie (or brags about the nonexistent spinning talents of the daughter or stepdaughter), or by the greedy merchants, kings and the like who push and continue to push the female protagonists to produce more and more golden thread, giving the latter no choice but to accept supernatural aid (in the Grimms' version of the tale, while the fact that the king keeps on demading more gold is at least acknowledged, there is nonetheless no real censure or blame cast at him).
SPINNING AND WOMEN'S WORK IN FOLK AND FAIRY TALES
I have recently started to reflect upon the depiction of the act and the craft of spinning thread in folk and fairy tales. In many of these stories, the act of spinning is not depicted as something altogether positive, and it often goes hand in hand with potential danger for the spinners (these almost always being women). More often than not, spinning is used and portrayed as a method of subjugation, even abuse, and is generally described as hard work, or at least as tedious and repetitive. I believe that the often negative depiction of spinning in fairy and folk tales most likely has to do with the nature of that very type of work itself. Spinning was (and maybe even still is) generally considered to be not only a woman's domain, but also a type of handicraft that would keep a woman not only tied to the house, but also often tied or confined to one particular room. I think it is therefore no coincidence that in so many of the Rumpelstilzchen type fairy tales, and other tales involving spinning, the women are not only told to spin a certain amount of thread into gold etc. in a certain amount of time, but that they are often kept in a locked or guarded room in a castle or house until they have spun their threads (more often than not on pain of death, should they not be able to complete their given tasks).
But there has always been something magical (powerful and matriarchal) with regard to the very ability to spin (and the act of spinning) as well. That magical quality is probably not only due to the fact that the Greek Fates (or the Germanic Norns) were seen to "spin" destinies (of both mortals and gods), but it likely also demonstrates the importance of the act of spinning itself. When humans (women mostly) learned how to spin thread, mankind moved from wearing animal skins to being able to fashion clothing, combine different types of wool, make bedding (the ability to spin thread was thus a supremely and important advance, as it increased protection against an often unforgiving environment, it was, in effect, a powerful tool, even a potential protective talisman).
The power and potential magic of spinning notwithstanding, while the Fates and the Germanic Nornes were indeed mighty and regarded with awe and honour, they were also (and as female entities) often regarded and approached with fear and suspicion. And thus, in many if not the majority of fairy tales, spinning, while it can seem magical, even powerful (spinning straw into gold, for example), has actually rather morphed into something generally negative and threatening, as well as a method to subjugate women and keep them tied to the house, to their work, to often even one particular (generally small and confining) room (and remember how in The Sleeping Beauty, the prick of a spinning needle causes Aurora and with her, the entire kingdom, to fall into an enchanted sleep, and that spindle of destiny, so to speak, is located in a small and unfortunately forgotten sewing room, forgotten until Aurora discovers it, that is).
ZELINSKY'S VERSION OF THE TALE
Paul O. Zelinsky's retelling is one of the best and most authentic seeming English language adaptations of the Rumplestilzchen folktale type I have read (although I do wish he had stayed with the Grimm's ending of Rumpelstilzchen tearing himself in half and disappearing). While the story (both the Grimm's original and Zelnisky's retelling) has never been a personal favourite, the tale type itself is not only interesting, but open to different interpretations and discussions (and Zelinsky's illustrations are simply glorious, rich, nuanced and lush, with Rumpelstilzchen as an entity appearing as somewhat creepy, but also not too frightening and uncanny, which might also be perhaps why the miller's daughter originally accepts his advice and aid). An added bonus for me is the informative author's note on the genesis of the tale (and while I indeed would have appreciated a list of sources and suggestions for further reading, this is just my academic self always wishing for the moon). Highly recommended, and not just for children either!
RUMPELSTILZCHEN TALES
Most of the Rumpelstilzchen type fairy and folktales are basically examples of resourceful women outsmarting a for all intents and purposes demonic presence, an entity who might originally seem helpful, but who is, in fact, only helpful because he/she/it wants to obtain the girls' souls, or their unborn children, or actually, both (they want everything, body and soul). Thus, I have always rejoiced that the evil little imps of these tales (who are also usually portrayed as so cocksure of themselves) are generally roundly and soundly outsmarted and defeated by the female protagonists, and have not as a rule ever felt that the girls presented owe their so-called "helpers" much if any gratitude at all (as right from the beginning, it is usually abundantly clear that the seemingly helpful gnomes are after the girls' possessions, and all of their possessions).
However, it must also be stated that in the majority of these tales, the female protagonists are put into problematic and dangerous situations not due to their OWN actions, their own words, but due to the actions and words of those around them (their fathers, mothers, stepmothers, even the greedy kings or merchants who strive to obtain more and more riches, more and more gold, and would kill if thwarted in their endeavours, in many ways, they are also unnatural and actually even on par with the imps and demons who pretend to help and sustain the girls). In the Rumpelstilzchen story of the Brothers Grimm, it is the father of the girl (the miller) who originally brags to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold and thus endangers her life (if she cannot do this task, she will be killed, she will be executed). Later, the king gets more and more greedy, keeping the unfortunate girl incarcerated, spinning threads into gold, thus forcing her to finally promise the imp her unborn child (already having given away both her necklace and then her ring). And it is thus the miller's vanity and desire to impress the monarch, and later the king's greedy lust for more and more riches that have in every way created the poor girl's dilemma, and really, no blame should therefore fall on the girl; she simply does what she needs to survive, to protect her unborn child and herself. In other, similar European tales (from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, England etc.), an evil stepmother or a jealous, angry mother make outrageous claims that their daughters or stepdaughters can spin gold, to get rid of them, to punish them for supposed laziness, to put them in a position where their inability to be able to do what the mother or stepmother have claimed, will likely cause the daughters' or stepdaughters' destruction and potential demise.
However, while thus in almost ALL of these stories, there are other less obviously guilty antagonists than the scheming seemingly helpful (but in reality harmful) goblins, namely the greedy kings, merchants, barons etc., whose increasing demand for gold and riches at all costs precipitate the action and leave the female protagonists in dire straits and vulnerable to the machinations of the "helpful" imps and demons, there are usually NO actual consequences for these "players" (and even for the parents, the stepparents, the individuals who first bragged about the girls' supposed gold spinning talents, there are usually no nasty or negative repercussions either).
And in NONE of the Rumpelstilzchen type tales I have read to date (except for the exquisite West Indian variant The Girl Who Spun Gold) are there ever apologies (or even much acknowledgement of responsibility) by the father/mother/stepmother who originally tells the lie (or brags about the nonexistent spinning talents of the daughter or stepdaughter), or by the greedy merchants, kings and the like who push and continue to push the female protagonists to produce more and more golden thread, giving the latter no choice but to accept supernatural aid (in the Grimms' version of the tale, while the fact that the king keeps on demading more gold is at least acknowledged, there is nonetheless no real censure or blame cast at him).
SPINNING AND WOMEN'S WORK IN FOLK AND FAIRY TALES
I have recently started to reflect upon the depiction of the act and the craft of spinning thread in folk and fairy tales. In many of these stories, the act of spinning is not depicted as something altogether positive, and it often goes hand in hand with potential danger for the spinners (these almost always being women). More often than not, spinning is used and portrayed as a method of subjugation, even abuse, and is generally described as hard work, or at least as tedious and repetitive. I believe that the often negative depiction of spinning in fairy and folk tales most likely has to do with the nature of that very type of work itself. Spinning was (and maybe even still is) generally considered to be not only a woman's domain, but also a type of handicraft that would keep a woman not only tied to the house, but also often tied or confined to one particular room. I think it is therefore no coincidence that in so many of the Rumpelstilzchen type fairy tales, and other tales involving spinning, the women are not only told to spin a certain amount of thread into gold etc. in a certain amount of time, but that they are often kept in a locked or guarded room in a castle or house until they have spun their threads (more often than not on pain of death, should they not be able to complete their given tasks).
But there has always been something magical (powerful and matriarchal) with regard to the very ability to spin (and the act of spinning) as well. That magical quality is probably not only due to the fact that the Greek Fates (or the Germanic Norns) were seen to "spin" destinies (of both mortals and gods), but it likely also demonstrates the importance of the act of spinning itself. When humans (women mostly) learned how to spin thread, mankind moved from wearing animal skins to being able to fashion clothing, combine different types of wool, make bedding (the ability to spin thread was thus a supremely and important advance, as it increased protection against an often unforgiving environment, it was, in effect, a powerful tool, even a potential protective talisman).
The power and potential magic of spinning notwithstanding, while the Fates and the Germanic Nornes were indeed mighty and regarded with awe and honour, they were also (and as female entities) often regarded and approached with fear and suspicion. And thus, in many if not the majority of fairy tales, spinning, while it can seem magical, even powerful (spinning straw into gold, for example), has actually rather morphed into something generally negative and threatening, as well as a method to subjugate women and keep them tied to the house, to their work, to often even one particular (generally small and confining) room (and remember how in The Sleeping Beauty, the prick of a spinning needle causes Aurora and with her, the entire kingdom, to fall into an enchanted sleep, and that spindle of destiny, so to speak, is located in a small and unfortunately forgotten sewing room, forgotten until Aurora discovers it, that is).
ZELINSKY'S VERSION OF THE TALE
Paul O. Zelinsky's retelling is one of the best and most authentic seeming English language adaptations of the Rumplestilzchen folktale type I have read (although I do wish he had stayed with the Grimm's ending of Rumpelstilzchen tearing himself in half and disappearing). While the story (both the Grimm's original and Zelnisky's retelling) has never been a personal favourite, the tale type itself is not only interesting, but open to different interpretations and discussions (and Zelinsky's illustrations are simply glorious, rich, nuanced and lush, with Rumpelstilzchen as an entity appearing as somewhat creepy, but also not too frightening and uncanny, which might also be perhaps why the miller's daughter originally accepts his advice and aid). An added bonus for me is the informative author's note on the genesis of the tale (and while I indeed would have appreciated a list of sources and suggestions for further reading, this is just my academic self always wishing for the moon). Highly recommended, and not just for children either!
November 18, 2016
„Round about, round about,
Lo and behold!
Reel away, reel away,
Straw into gold!‟
„“Merrily the feast I‟ll make.
Today I‟ll brew, tomorrow bake;
Merrily I‟ll dance and sing,
For next day will a stranger bring.
Little does my lady dream
Rumpelstiltskin is my name!”„
Lo and behold!
Reel away, reel away,
Straw into gold!‟
„“Merrily the feast I‟ll make.
Today I‟ll brew, tomorrow bake;
Merrily I‟ll dance and sing,
For next day will a stranger bring.
Little does my lady dream
Rumpelstiltskin is my name!”„
April 27, 2020
While this story always creeped me out.. to this day.. it still creeps me out. A little man hears a millers daughters plea for help. The miller offering up his daughter to the king for money. (Historically accurate for sure.) But the moral of this story... questionable.
I do love the illustrations in this edition.
I do love the illustrations in this edition.
September 28, 2022
I had this book on a vinyl record and was entranced by it. I must've listened to it a thousand times.
April 18, 2018
I'm no fan of the Rumpelstiltskin tale, and probably never will, but since it's Zelinsky I couldn't resist picking the book up. The art in this edition has a certain likeness to Renaissance paintings, which I'm sure is intentional.
February 15, 2016
First, a very important thing! *throws the king by the window* Ok, now it's time for the review.
I never heard about Rumpel-whatever before watching the first season of the TV show Once Upon A Time. There, his personality was depicted as not very likable (yes, I'm gentle), but it left me curious about him. This picture book was an interesting adaptation, I particularly enjoyed the art that looked like old paints (Renaissance?), giving a good atmosphere, and it was perfect for things like gold. The story was well paced and satisfying regarding the outcome and the heroine, but wow the king was an evil and greedy creature, I think I preferred Rumple.
I never heard about Rumpel-whatever before watching the first season of the TV show Once Upon A Time. There, his personality was depicted as not very likable (yes, I'm gentle), but it left me curious about him. This picture book was an interesting adaptation, I particularly enjoyed the art that looked like old paints (Renaissance?), giving a good atmosphere, and it was perfect for things like gold. The story was well paced and satisfying regarding the outcome and the heroine, but wow the king was an evil and greedy creature, I think I preferred Rumple.
April 19, 2010
This version of “Rumpelstiltskin” is a new version of the classic Brothers Grimm tale that is rewritten by Paul O. Zelinsky and has won the prestigious Caldecott Honor award. Everyone who knows the story of “Rumpelstiltskin” knows that this book is about how a small man helps a miller’s daughter with her predicament, but the small man wants a heavy price for his services. “Rumpelstiltskin” may be a bit too scary for younger children, but older children will definitely enjoy this version of the classic Brothers Grimm tale.
Paul O. Zelinsky’s writing and illustrations contribute greatly to the story’s tension as the miller’s daughter tries to save herself from being put to death by the king and then from allowing the little man to take her child. Paul O. Zelinsky makes the story extremely intense and dramatic as he puts death and child kidnapping as the main themes of the story and he brilliant makes his writing dramatic during the scenes of the miller’s daughter being threatened with death and during the threat that the little man poses to her when he tries to take her baby. Paul O. Zelinsky’s illustrations are extremely vivid and beautiful as they capture the beauty of the Renaissance period such as illustrating the miller’s daughter in an old fashioned red dress that captures her beauty. Also, Paul O. Zelinsky has done a magnificent job at making the characters facial expressions extremely realistic, especially during the scenes where the miller’s daughter has a shocked look on her face when Rumpelstiltskin proposed to her that she should give up her child to save her life.
“Rumpelstiltskin” is a great classic story from the Brothers Grimm and will greatly help parents and children discuss about the importance of avoiding strangers and to be polite around other people. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up due to themes of child kidnapping and death threats made by the king.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Rumpe...
Paul O. Zelinsky’s writing and illustrations contribute greatly to the story’s tension as the miller’s daughter tries to save herself from being put to death by the king and then from allowing the little man to take her child. Paul O. Zelinsky makes the story extremely intense and dramatic as he puts death and child kidnapping as the main themes of the story and he brilliant makes his writing dramatic during the scenes of the miller’s daughter being threatened with death and during the threat that the little man poses to her when he tries to take her baby. Paul O. Zelinsky’s illustrations are extremely vivid and beautiful as they capture the beauty of the Renaissance period such as illustrating the miller’s daughter in an old fashioned red dress that captures her beauty. Also, Paul O. Zelinsky has done a magnificent job at making the characters facial expressions extremely realistic, especially during the scenes where the miller’s daughter has a shocked look on her face when Rumpelstiltskin proposed to her that she should give up her child to save her life.
“Rumpelstiltskin” is a great classic story from the Brothers Grimm and will greatly help parents and children discuss about the importance of avoiding strangers and to be polite around other people. I would recommend this book to children ages six and up due to themes of child kidnapping and death threats made by the king.
From my Epinions Review:
http://www0.epinions.com/review/Rumpe...
April 29, 2018
I have this book in my bookshelf because it is one of my favorite illustrated book with Paul O. Zelinksy medieval style to a fairy tale classic. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of beautiful fairy tale artwork.
October 30, 2017
This is a beyond gorgeous retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin. I really enjoyed Zelinsky’s Rapunzel so I was looking looking forward to this book, and I was not disappointed. I was practically getting lost in the detailed illustrations and the storyline that flowed beautifully with the pictures. An excellent read that I would highly recommend to anyone!
November 25, 2012
When a miller convinces the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold, the king seizes the opportunity and captures her. Every evening a little man saves her by magically spinning the gold and getting jewelry in return, and by morning the king is satisfied and let her live. The third night she has nothing left to give, and he wants her unborn child in return for helping her. In her miserable state, she accepts, and when the time comes, she obviously doesn't want to give away her child. He gives her another chance. If she can find out his name by the next time he visits, she can keep her child.
I think there's an interesting theme in this story. A woman, back then, had no power, no right and no influence over her own life. Her father treated her as an object, the king as an investment and Rumpelstiltskin as someone he could benefit from.
But when it comes to Rumpelstiltskin, I don't think of him as a truly bad person. He actually gave the woman a second chance to keep her baby, though he could have just taken it - he was a magical person that were able to sneak in and out of the castle unseen, not to mention spinning straw into gold. The interesting thing here is why he would want the baby? Was it to save the oppressed people from another cruel king and to bring the baby up himself and make it a better person? Or was it to cause anarchy? Or was it revenge?
I think the story is somewhat thin, and too short. I would have liked more details and more characteristics. Anyway, it's an unusual read and I will remember it.
February 10, 2010
Zelinsky's retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is well written. The story is paced and phrased in a way that pulls you through the pages even if you know the basic plot of the story. The illustrations are amazing and remind my of Renaissance paintings. They are technically beautiful and filled with amazing detail.
I would use Zelinsky's version to teach the story since it is clear and well told. I would also use his illustrations to showcase artistic skills and for art criticism lessons.
In this version, a father claims his daughter can spin straw into gold. He leaves her with the king who will kill her is she cannot spin an entire room of straw into gold over night. Rumpelstiltskin offers to help the first night for a necklace and the next for a ring. On the third night he wants her first born for the task. She agrees and he shows up to claim her child. Her servant follows him into the woods to discover his name.
Along with the book I found a website http://www.rumpelstiltzkin.com/ This site had a very updated version of the story. I liked the use of slang and the kind of rude banter that occurred. I didn't see any pictures though, which was disappointing. I think this would be a good example for showing students how they can modernize a traditional story.
I would use Zelinsky's version to teach the story since it is clear and well told. I would also use his illustrations to showcase artistic skills and for art criticism lessons.
In this version, a father claims his daughter can spin straw into gold. He leaves her with the king who will kill her is she cannot spin an entire room of straw into gold over night. Rumpelstiltskin offers to help the first night for a necklace and the next for a ring. On the third night he wants her first born for the task. She agrees and he shows up to claim her child. Her servant follows him into the woods to discover his name.
Along with the book I found a website http://www.rumpelstiltzkin.com/ This site had a very updated version of the story. I liked the use of slang and the kind of rude banter that occurred. I didn't see any pictures though, which was disappointing. I think this would be a good example for showing students how they can modernize a traditional story.
February 25, 2011
The Renaissance-style oil paintings in this book were amazing; they really made the story. Brilliant colors, interesting perspectives, expressive faces, and evocative historic details of architecture and clothes. The text is true to the Grimm version but kind of boring, so the paintings were crucial to give the story sparkle. Logan, who is almost 7, has asked me many questions since about the nature of Rumplestiltskin: Was he evil? Was he a witch (due to flying on a wooden spoon)? Why did he want a baby? I explained that he was more like fairies or leprechauns; not exactly evil, but out for his own gain and mischief and not too concerned about humans. Interesting that L had no questions about the king, who was only interested in the miller's daughter for her ability to create gold and willing to threaten her with death and then 3 days later, to want to marry her. I guess the idea that kings are greedy bastards isn't so alien to him, considering how many fairy and folk tales we've read, which often illustrate how power and greed go hand in hand.
July 29, 2020
This folk story is new to me and I have never heard of it until now although I have watched the TV show once upon a time and I knew his story and it truly did fascinated me alot .... Okay the book was great interesting story great artwork everything perfect but the child's face was little creepy I have to say but in everything I loved it
August 29, 2022
Another childhood favourite!
May 26, 2023
fua tiene su buena dosis de turbio y de atrapante por igual
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
August 9, 2021
A lovely retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, with a late medieval German flair. What Zelinsky did with Italian Renaissance art for Rapunzel, he does here for Rumpelstiltskin with medieval German inspiration. Unlike Rapunzel, he doesn't copy the original art in medium, but he imitates in perspective and framing.
Zelinsky is careful with the original text, often cobbling together several editions to pull in as many elements of different versions as he can. Rumpelstiltskin is always a little creepy, and he is no less so here, but Zelinsky focuses on the beauty of the surroundings. Returning to this story as an adult raises a host of questions for me: when R. cries "the Devil told you [my name]!" is he implying that he is the Devil, since he let it slip? Is there an alchemical source of the original tale? And what did the king do with all that golden thread? Did he expect the queen to keep making it all her life? Oh well. I mustn't go too far or I will be of on a retelling of my own...
Zelinsky is careful with the original text, often cobbling together several editions to pull in as many elements of different versions as he can. Rumpelstiltskin is always a little creepy, and he is no less so here, but Zelinsky focuses on the beauty of the surroundings. Returning to this story as an adult raises a host of questions for me: when R. cries "the Devil told you [my name]!" is he implying that he is the Devil, since he let it slip? Is there an alchemical source of the original tale? And what did the king do with all that golden thread? Did he expect the queen to keep making it all her life? Oh well. I mustn't go too far or I will be of on a retelling of my own...
December 3, 2011
I read this story as a child, and I really loved it.
November 25, 2011
Love the illustrations!
February 13, 2015
Pretty nice pictures, but how can he not have a long beard!?
December 4, 2017
Reading Log
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky (Originally told by the Grimm Brothers)
Genre: European Folktale
Theme(s): Greed, Mother’s Love
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text):
“Once there was a poor miller with a beautiful daughter.”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
This book is a folktale about a girl who is sent to spin straw into gold for the king. She cannot do so, but he threatens her with death if she does not complete this task so she makes a deal with a small man named Rumpelstiltskin. He will spin the straw for her each time the king asks, but she needs to give up something to him in return, like her necklace.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste, details below):
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
“After comparing several of the original Grimm variants, Zelinsky has selected and retold to make his own version. Graceful and lucid, it differs from the familiar in having the imp overheard crowing about his name by a servant rather than by the king, and by having him ride about and ultimately depart forever on a cooking spoon, a non-violent conclusion. Zelinaky's illustrations are opulently painted, full of classical architectural detail, fantastic distant landscapes, and that early use of perspective which gives a raked stage effect. Rumpelstiltskin is a bug-eyed, spindle-legged Machiavelli of an imp, dressed as a courtier. The miller's daughter/queen has the face of a madonna, although her expressions are contemporary enough to interest modern children in her plight. The king (not a savory character, since he was prepared to murder his wife if she failed to spin straw into gold) stays in the background. A distinguished edition of one of Grimm's favorite tales.”
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste, details below):
Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
“In this enchanting tale, a king asks the daughter of a poor miller to spin straw into gold. Not knowing how to do this impossible task, the saddened girl loses hope until she receives a visit from a strange little man. This tiny imp decides to spin all of the king's straw into gold, but only under one condition--he gets the girl's first-born child when she marries the king and becomes queen. Agreeing to this proposition, the girl soon becomes queen and has a child one year later. When the little man shows up to collect the child, he offers another proposal to the queen. In this new agreement, he asks her to guess his name before the end of three days. Distraught over this predicament, the queen seeks the help of a faithful servant and together they outsmart the crafty Rumpelstiltskin. Zelinsky's exquisitely detailed illustrations perfectly capture the splendid beauty of the late medieval period, as well as the unique qualities of each character. 1986, Dutton, $15.99 and $5.99. Ages 5 to 8. “
(PUBLISHER: Dutton $15.99 and $5.99., PUBLISHED: 1986)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I do agree that Zelinsky’s illustrations are beautiful and make this book really appealing to the reader. The illustrations do evoke renaissance art that we saw in the Palmer Museum with Peggy. I personally found many of the characters to be quite dull, and I prefer modernized folktales with messages more relevant to readers today.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
I think this book has some great dialogue that would be fun to read aloud to a child. The plot is very suspenseful because of the looming threat of death, and this keeps the reader interested. I think some modernization of the story would make it more interesting to readers.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
I would keep this in my classroom library, and maybe highlight this by placing it on top of a bookshelf during a folktale unit, but I am not really sure I would read this aloud. There are so many wonderful Brothers’ Grimm texts, and I am not sure this particular one stands out enough to incorporate into a lesson. I think it would be best for students to discover this themselves.
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky (Originally told by the Grimm Brothers)
Genre: European Folktale
Theme(s): Greed, Mother’s Love
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text):
“Once there was a poor miller with a beautiful daughter.”
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
This book is a folktale about a girl who is sent to spin straw into gold for the king. She cannot do so, but he threatens her with death if she does not complete this task so she makes a deal with a small man named Rumpelstiltskin. He will spin the straw for her each time the king asks, but she needs to give up something to him in return, like her necklace.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1 (cut & paste, details below):
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
“After comparing several of the original Grimm variants, Zelinsky has selected and retold to make his own version. Graceful and lucid, it differs from the familiar in having the imp overheard crowing about his name by a servant rather than by the king, and by having him ride about and ultimately depart forever on a cooking spoon, a non-violent conclusion. Zelinaky's illustrations are opulently painted, full of classical architectural detail, fantastic distant landscapes, and that early use of perspective which gives a raked stage effect. Rumpelstiltskin is a bug-eyed, spindle-legged Machiavelli of an imp, dressed as a courtier. The miller's daughter/queen has the face of a madonna, although her expressions are contemporary enough to interest modern children in her plight. The king (not a savory character, since he was prepared to murder his wife if she failed to spin straw into gold) stays in the background. A distinguished edition of one of Grimm's favorite tales.”
Professional Recommendation/Review #2 (cut & paste, details below):
Debra Briatico (Children's Literature)
“In this enchanting tale, a king asks the daughter of a poor miller to spin straw into gold. Not knowing how to do this impossible task, the saddened girl loses hope until she receives a visit from a strange little man. This tiny imp decides to spin all of the king's straw into gold, but only under one condition--he gets the girl's first-born child when she marries the king and becomes queen. Agreeing to this proposition, the girl soon becomes queen and has a child one year later. When the little man shows up to collect the child, he offers another proposal to the queen. In this new agreement, he asks her to guess his name before the end of three days. Distraught over this predicament, the queen seeks the help of a faithful servant and together they outsmart the crafty Rumpelstiltskin. Zelinsky's exquisitely detailed illustrations perfectly capture the splendid beauty of the late medieval period, as well as the unique qualities of each character. 1986, Dutton, $15.99 and $5.99. Ages 5 to 8. “
(PUBLISHER: Dutton $15.99 and $5.99., PUBLISHED: 1986)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I do agree that Zelinsky’s illustrations are beautiful and make this book really appealing to the reader. The illustrations do evoke renaissance art that we saw in the Palmer Museum with Peggy. I personally found many of the characters to be quite dull, and I prefer modernized folktales with messages more relevant to readers today.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
I think this book has some great dialogue that would be fun to read aloud to a child. The plot is very suspenseful because of the looming threat of death, and this keeps the reader interested. I think some modernization of the story would make it more interesting to readers.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
I would keep this in my classroom library, and maybe highlight this by placing it on top of a bookshelf during a folktale unit, but I am not really sure I would read this aloud. There are so many wonderful Brothers’ Grimm texts, and I am not sure this particular one stands out enough to incorporate into a lesson. I think it would be best for students to discover this themselves.
February 15, 2015
Rumpelstiltskin is the story of an old miller who tells the King that his daughter has the gift of spinning straw into gold. As the King hears such a marvelous art, he takes the miller’s daughter into his palace and locks her in a room to spin all the straw into gold. The poor miller’s daughter has not idea how the straw could be possibly be spun into gold, she feels so sad and starts crying. Suddenly, a small man comes to the rescue but he asks something in return. The first time she gives him her necklace, then her ring but the third time she doesn’t have anything else. The King has promised to marry her if she turns the third room into gold; the little man accepts to help her for the last time if she gives him her first child when she becomes Queen. The miller’s daughter marries the King and after a year she has a beautiful baby. The Queen has forgotten about the little man, until he reappears to take the Queen’s child. The Queen starts begging and crying that the little man takes pity on her. He gives her three days to guess his name, if the Queen does not guess the little man will take the child. After three days of saying all the names she knew, the Queen’s despair grows bigger and send one of her helpers to search for more name. When the helper was walking through the woods, the helper hears the little man sing and saying his name…Rumpelstiltskin! At the end the Queen tells the little man his name he disappears and the Queen keeps her baby. This particular version by Paul O. Zelinsky of 1986 has full-page illustrations with nicely detailed pictures and realistic characters. These oil paintings show medieval times and they express with ease feelings and gestures that complement the text. All versions I have read are very similar throughout the story and few discrepancies could be found between them. In this story the messenger that Queen sends to the woods is a lady which is her most faithful servant, the Queen has a baby boy, Rumpelstiltskin song says: "I brew my beer, I bake my loaves, and soon the queen’s own son I’ll claim. O lucky me! For no one knows that Rumpelstiltskin is my name!" Also, Rumpelstiltskin complains about the Devil telling his name to Queen and at the end, Rumpelstiltskin jumps on his cooking spoon and flies out the window
This ending was the kindest and more child friendly of all. For a traditional literature book for children some of the language is strong and some of the scenes are unkind. For example, the miller gives his daughter away by lying, the King locks the miller’s daughter and threatens her to kill her, the greediness of the King is obsessive and no one ask the miller’s daughter if she actually wanted to marry the King!
It is a entertaining story but one without a good message in my opinion.
This ending was the kindest and more child friendly of all. For a traditional literature book for children some of the language is strong and some of the scenes are unkind. For example, the miller gives his daughter away by lying, the King locks the miller’s daughter and threatens her to kill her, the greediness of the King is obsessive and no one ask the miller’s daughter if she actually wanted to marry the King!
It is a entertaining story but one without a good message in my opinion.
February 7, 2012
Rumpelstiltskin is a picture book written and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. It is a retelling of the Grimm fairy tale. The end notes at the back of the book explain that several different versions were used to compile this particular retelling. This picture book was the recipient of the 1987 Caldecott Honor, as well as several other awards. In this fairy tale, a foolish miller promises the king that his daughter is able to take straw and spin it into gold, in hopes of impressing him. The greedy king then orders for the miller’s daughter to be brought to his castle to spin him gold, with the punishment of death if she is unable to do so. Hopeless, the miller’s daughter begins to cry in the room where she has been placed, surrounded by straw and a spinning wheel. Suddenly, a small man appears with a deal. If she gives him something of value, he will, in turn, spin the straw into gold for her. The miller’s daughter complies by giving him her necklace, and the small man holds up his end of the deal and spins a room full of gold. The story continues with the man visiting the miller’s daughter two more times, each time asking for something of value in return. On the third evening, she doesn’t have anything left to give him, and in desperation, promises him her first born. Years later, the miller’s daughter has married the king and born him a son. The small man who has helped her spin the gold returns, asking for her son. As the queen breaks down, the man tells her that if she can guess his name, her child will be spared. The queen eventually finds that his name is Rumplestiltskin, and he disappears in a fit of rage.
The star of this picture book would be the pictures that accompany the text. The images are vivid and fill the pages; many of the characters faces show emotion and detail. In the back of the book is a note regarding the story and its adaptation by Zelinsky, which is helpful to read because it gives historical information on the story as well. This book is suitable for younger students, probably in grades first through third. If a teacher were doing a fairy tale unit, this would be an appropriate text to use because the pictures are so engaging. I think it would be also useful to compare this to other picture books that tell the same story and compare and contrast the differences. The pictures are so strong that they could be shown alone, while students predict or infer the story as the teacher shares.
The star of this picture book would be the pictures that accompany the text. The images are vivid and fill the pages; many of the characters faces show emotion and detail. In the back of the book is a note regarding the story and its adaptation by Zelinsky, which is helpful to read because it gives historical information on the story as well. This book is suitable for younger students, probably in grades first through third. If a teacher were doing a fairy tale unit, this would be an appropriate text to use because the pictures are so engaging. I think it would be also useful to compare this to other picture books that tell the same story and compare and contrast the differences. The pictures are so strong that they could be shown alone, while students predict or infer the story as the teacher shares.
September 1, 2015
Using the Grimm brothers tale of Rumpelstilstiltskin, the author and illustrator makes the story come to life. The illustrations are stunningly beautiful and I was compelled to spend time with each image to see the wonderful nuances.
When the poor miller comes upon the king, wanting to impress, he tells the king of his lovely daughter who can miraculously spin straw to gold. Ordering the miller to deliver his talented daughter to the castle, he obeys.
As the daughter looks at the piles upon piles of straw, she is distraught, wondering how she can accomplish something beyond her abilities. Alas, a nasty looking little fellow appears and bargains for her necklace in return of his spinning the straw to gold.
Greedy, when the king sees the spun gold, he now demands more. Again, the miller's daughter is distraught. As the little beady eyed fellow appears again, she barters her ring away in the hope that he can spin the mountains of straw to gold.
Once again, the king demands more and more. With nothing to barter, the troll like man asks for her first born son. Believing that it will never be necessary to produce a male child in her foreseeable future, she readily agrees.
The king marries the miller's daughter and she has a male child. Distraught that the child will be taken, the troll tells her that if she can discover his name, the barter will not need to occur.
She sends a maid into the woods whereupon the maid spies an open fire and a dancing ugly fellow jumping in the air with a poem using his name as Rumpelstiltskin. When the queen tells him his name, in anger he jumps around with his cooking spoon and flies out the windown.
When the poor miller comes upon the king, wanting to impress, he tells the king of his lovely daughter who can miraculously spin straw to gold. Ordering the miller to deliver his talented daughter to the castle, he obeys.
As the daughter looks at the piles upon piles of straw, she is distraught, wondering how she can accomplish something beyond her abilities. Alas, a nasty looking little fellow appears and bargains for her necklace in return of his spinning the straw to gold.
Greedy, when the king sees the spun gold, he now demands more. Again, the miller's daughter is distraught. As the little beady eyed fellow appears again, she barters her ring away in the hope that he can spin the mountains of straw to gold.
Once again, the king demands more and more. With nothing to barter, the troll like man asks for her first born son. Believing that it will never be necessary to produce a male child in her foreseeable future, she readily agrees.
The king marries the miller's daughter and she has a male child. Distraught that the child will be taken, the troll tells her that if she can discover his name, the barter will not need to occur.
She sends a maid into the woods whereupon the maid spies an open fire and a dancing ugly fellow jumping in the air with a poem using his name as Rumpelstiltskin. When the queen tells him his name, in anger he jumps around with his cooking spoon and flies out the windown.
January 14, 2024
As a child, this was one of my favorite fairy tales. I've thought about collecting images of Rumpelstiltskin just to show the wide variety of forms this little man takes in peoples' minds. The art in this book is beautiful, but Rumpelstiltskin doesn't match my image of the little guy.
2005
My niece picked out this story as one of our bedtime reads.
2005
My niece picked out this story as one of our bedtime reads.
July 9, 2025
Everyone knows the name, but I didn’t know the full story until now. I picked this up because of Shrek and was surprised by how different and intriguing the original tale is. It’s a quick read, but it still manages to feel rich and eerie in that classic fairy tale way. I just wish there were more of it. An extended version would have been perfect. Still, it was fun to finally learn where the legend actually came from.
January 14, 2026
reading rainbow discussion January 2026
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The thing that struck me this time, besides the art which is a particular homage to a particular era/movement, is the aspect of the name of "the little man." Not only is it traditional to believe that names have Power, but also think on this: It's more respectful to know someone's name. To be referred to as 'the little man' or to be called 'Boy' is offensive.
I have never been fond of the story, esp. because in most versions the king seems randomly satisfied after three roomfuls of gold and the girl complacent to become queen to such a man. But it is a story that is part of our cultural heritage, and this is a good 'authentic' version, with author's note, and so I'm rounding up my rating to four stars.
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The thing that struck me this time, besides the art which is a particular homage to a particular era/movement, is the aspect of the name of "the little man." Not only is it traditional to believe that names have Power, but also think on this: It's more respectful to know someone's name. To be referred to as 'the little man' or to be called 'Boy' is offensive.
I have never been fond of the story, esp. because in most versions the king seems randomly satisfied after three roomfuls of gold and the girl complacent to become queen to such a man. But it is a story that is part of our cultural heritage, and this is a good 'authentic' version, with author's note, and so I'm rounding up my rating to four stars.
February 1, 2024
Este libro trata sobre un molinero que tenía una preciosa hija y un rey la llevó a una habitación llena de paja. Él quería que convirtiera la paja en oro. Un día, un hombrecito llegó y él convirtió la paja en oro en cambio del collar de la hija. El hombrecito hizo esto dos veces y en la tercera vez, la hija no tenía más que darle a cambio de oro. El hombrecito le dijo a la hija del molinero que quería su hijo a cambio del oro y ella estuvo de acuerdo. Después, la hija del molinero se casó con el rey y tuvieron un hijo. Ella se había olvidado de la promesa que le hizo al hombrecito. El hombrecillo volvió a aparecer en su habitación y le exigió lo que le había prometido y ella le suplicó que no. El dijo que le dijera su nombre. Ella preguntó en la ciudad por su nombre y al fin lo escucho decir su nombre y se lo dijo ya nunca apareció el hombrecito.
Disfruto leer este cuento porque me recuerda a viejas historias. La hija del molinero no se dio por vencida al obtener sus objetivos que eran tener oro. Ella usó sus recursos para que el hombrecito la ayudara. También, no se dio por vencida al preguntarle a la gente sobre el nombre del hombrecito. Creo que muestra como ser perseverante. Me gustó como el autor usó palabras para describir cómo hablaban los personajes. Por ejemplo, cuando el hombrecito dijo que el demonio le había dicho a la hija del molinero su nombre al final. Los dibujos también tienen mucho detalle. Otra cosa que se me hizo interesante fue que nunca mencionaron el nombre de la hija del molinero ni el del rey. Me pregunto por qué?
Disfruto leer este cuento porque me recuerda a viejas historias. La hija del molinero no se dio por vencida al obtener sus objetivos que eran tener oro. Ella usó sus recursos para que el hombrecito la ayudara. También, no se dio por vencida al preguntarle a la gente sobre el nombre del hombrecito. Creo que muestra como ser perseverante. Me gustó como el autor usó palabras para describir cómo hablaban los personajes. Por ejemplo, cuando el hombrecito dijo que el demonio le había dicho a la hija del molinero su nombre al final. Los dibujos también tienen mucho detalle. Otra cosa que se me hizo interesante fue que nunca mencionaron el nombre de la hija del molinero ni el del rey. Me pregunto por qué?
February 11, 2016
Rumpelstiltskin is a predictable picture book with a predictable story structure. A poor miller lies and tells the king that his teenage daughter can spin straw into gold. The king sends for his daughter, who is left to fret over a roomful of straw to be spun on three separate occasions. Each time, Rumpelstiltskin appears to help the girl in exchange for something valuable. First, he asks for her necklace, then her ring, and- finally- her firstborn child. While this strategy initially pans out for the young girl, who becomes queen, it eventually turns into an awful predicament. Rumpelstiltskin keeps his word and comes to claim the queen’s firstborn unless she figures out his name. A servant of the court spies on Rumpelstiltskin in the woods, learns of his name, and reports back to the queen. With the needed information, the queen is able to prevent Rumpelstiltskin from taking her baby.
Paul O. Zelinsky’s retelling of the original Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale is a 1987 Caldecott Honor book. The reliable reappearance of Rumpelstiltskin will encourage emergent readers to take risks. It is the artistic media, however, that will draw in all readers. Zelinsky’s painted the rich illustrations with a Renaissance style by using oil paints over watercolor underpaintings. The style pairs perfectly with the medieval setting, and Zelinsky’s attention to detail and human emotion magnifies the intensity of the media.
The award winning picture book can be incorporated into kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms. Emergent readers will enjoy the repetitive story structure and illustrations while fluent readers may engage in comparing and contrasting the fairy tale to other versions. The retelling inspires writing instruction, modeling how many writers are inspired by other writers’ work.
Paul O. Zelinsky’s retelling of the original Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale is a 1987 Caldecott Honor book. The reliable reappearance of Rumpelstiltskin will encourage emergent readers to take risks. It is the artistic media, however, that will draw in all readers. Zelinsky’s painted the rich illustrations with a Renaissance style by using oil paints over watercolor underpaintings. The style pairs perfectly with the medieval setting, and Zelinsky’s attention to detail and human emotion magnifies the intensity of the media.
The award winning picture book can be incorporated into kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms. Emergent readers will enjoy the repetitive story structure and illustrations while fluent readers may engage in comparing and contrasting the fairy tale to other versions. The retelling inspires writing instruction, modeling how many writers are inspired by other writers’ work.
June 12, 2025
A short pictured book about a wonderful fairytale .
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