Rumpelstiltskin

by Edith H. Tarcov, Edward Gorey

A strange little man helps the miller's daughter spin straw into gold for the king on the condition that she will give him her first-born child.

Genres: Classics, Childrens

48 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[Loren Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably one of the most weirdly famous fairytales out there — but the true ending is probably not all that known. For once, it’s not an incredibly “Grimm” story — well, unless you want to count the fact he wants to take her baby. But in retrospect, not very grim. Very iconic though, one of the greats.

[BrandosEgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 2 stories I parsed in less than 15 minutes.

I follow a poetry recital channel on YouTube called „The Talkative Crow” just so happened. He posted a reading of Rapunzel in the same format as translated in my Barnes & Noble copy. He has a great voice and I listened and read along straightaway.

The tale was nine minutes long.
And I decided I would read myself Rumpelstiltskin also which took another five minutes as it’s a shorter story.

I really enjoyed both stories.
Rapunzel is a romance that incorporates as an antagonist a type of devouring mother figure. Rumpelstiltskin is a type of „Deal with the Devil” story.

Both are short enough to be read to children.
Both are deep enough to be enjoyed by adults.

[Stacy Countee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story had a good twist from the original version. The message in this story was more positive. The girl was shown love in the end of the story in spite of her inability to make the king money. There was a lot of humor and the pages were filled with many pictures that helped express the emotions of the characters.

A reader's theatre activity would be a good way to extend this lesson for older students. They could perform this story and also write their own take of "Rumpelstiltskin" in a different genre.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a child, actually I devoured it by looking at the pictures again and again. I absolutely love the illustrations. I have always been fascinated by the story of Rumpelstiltskin.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the Talking Mother Goose edition. It's not a perfect retelling but we love the vintage pastel illustrations.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this in a local little free library and had no idea Gorey had illustrated this fairy tale. I’ve never been one much for it, but this was a funny and lovely edition!