About This Book:
Once upon a time there was a clever girl with a not-so-clever father. When her father claims she can spin straw into gold, the king forces the girl to perform this impossible task. She has no other choice than to accept a strange deal from a mysterious little man. But when he arrives and attempts to collect the debt, the fiendish trickster Rumpelstiltskin discovers that he is the one who has been tricked! This is the second in the groundbreaking new collection of masterfully retold fairy tales crafted by one of today’s most celebrated and esteemed authors, Mac Barnett, paired with the stunning illustrations of the acclaimed and award-winning creator, Carson Ellis.
*Review Contributed By Sara Perrera, Staff Reviewer*
A Retelling with a Twist
Rumpelstiltskin is a classic fairytale that many readers are familiar with, but Mac Barnett has teamed up with illustrator Carson Ellis to put a fresh, clever spin on the tale.
What I Liked: The premise stays true to the original version, but there is plenty of signature Barnett silliness sprinkled in. When the Queen needs to guess Rumpelstiltskin’s name, she comes up with some truly absurd guesses that will have readers giggling.
I also really liked that we get to see the Queen’s personality before the drama even starts. Instead of being a typical “damsel in distress,” she’s introduced as a capable girl who loves nature and is perfectly happy catching frogs and exploring the woods on her own.
The artwork by Carson Ellis is a standout. The illustrations feel like they belong in a fairytale from long ago; the color choices are dark, muted, and somber, which fits the original “Grimm” vibe perfectly. Because the art looks so serious and “old-school,” the silly parts of the story stand out even more.
This is a must-read for fans of Mac Barnett or anyone who appreciates a retelling with a bit of dark humor.
