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| Falling For Rapunzel, by Leah Wilcox and Lydia Monks |
Written by Leah Wilcox
Illustrated by Lydia Monks
G. P. Putnam's Sons Books For Young Readers, 2003
Grade K-3
Themes:
Fractured Fairy Tales, Rhyming, Humor
Opening:
Once upon a bad hair day, a prince rode up Rapunzel's way.
From up above he heard her whine, upset her hair had lost its shine.
He thought her crying was a plea and sallied forth to set her free.
Synopsis:
Falling For Rapunzel becomes a comedy of errors in this hilariously twisted retelling of the classic Rapunzel fairy tale. When the prince happens upon her tower and calls up to the princess, Rapunzel can't hear him very clearly, so she obediently throws down an assortment of rhyming substitutes, starting with her underwear. There is a classic fairy tale ending, but perhaps not the one you'd imagined. Just when you think the story is over, Rapunzel says something even funnier, and follows with a surprising additional twist. No spoilers here. Just go buy a copy.
What I Love:
Oh. My. Goodness. If you love twisted fairy tales, or clever rhyme, of fun, fun, funny picture books, you have got to read this one. It also makes a great mentor text for writing in rhyme. The sentences are not too far-fetched. Each verse moves the story along. The author varies the structure, but not the rhyme or meter. Run to your nearest bookstore, library, or Ollie's and grab your copy.
Incidentally, this is ALA's Teen Read Week. I reviewed this book because my 16 year-old will not part with it - ever. This is on her list of top five picture books of all time, and that's saying something.
Bonus:
1. You'll find a teacher's guide on the LessonPlansPage website including a readers' theater version, and worksheets on TeachersPayTeachers.
2. Create a rapunzel wig with instructions from CreateWithKiddos.
3. Twist your own fairy tales using hints from PiBoIdMo creator Tara Lazar.
4. You can find photos of amazing DIY cardboard towers and photo booths on Pinterest, but I couldn't find any tutorials. I guess you'll need a refrigerator box, some tri-fold presentation boards, and your imagination.
5. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
Have you reviewed a Perfect Picture Book along this theme? Please leave the link in the comments below. Thanks!
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for October 23, 2015 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
Grade K-3
Themes:
Fractured Fairy Tales, Rhyming, Humor
Opening:
Once upon a bad hair day, a prince rode up Rapunzel's way.
From up above he heard her whine, upset her hair had lost its shine.
He thought her crying was a plea and sallied forth to set her free.
Synopsis:
Falling For Rapunzel becomes a comedy of errors in this hilariously twisted retelling of the classic Rapunzel fairy tale. When the prince happens upon her tower and calls up to the princess, Rapunzel can't hear him very clearly, so she obediently throws down an assortment of rhyming substitutes, starting with her underwear. There is a classic fairy tale ending, but perhaps not the one you'd imagined. Just when you think the story is over, Rapunzel says something even funnier, and follows with a surprising additional twist. No spoilers here. Just go buy a copy.
What I Love:
Oh. My. Goodness. If you love twisted fairy tales, or clever rhyme, of fun, fun, funny picture books, you have got to read this one. It also makes a great mentor text for writing in rhyme. The sentences are not too far-fetched. Each verse moves the story along. The author varies the structure, but not the rhyme or meter. Run to your nearest bookstore, library, or Ollie's and grab your copy.
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| Courtesy Purple Patch Parties |
Bonus:
1. You'll find a teacher's guide on the LessonPlansPage website including a readers' theater version, and worksheets on TeachersPayTeachers.
2. Create a rapunzel wig with instructions from CreateWithKiddos.
3. Twist your own fairy tales using hints from PiBoIdMo creator Tara Lazar.
4. You can find photos of amazing DIY cardboard towers and photo booths on Pinterest, but I couldn't find any tutorials. I guess you'll need a refrigerator box, some tri-fold presentation boards, and your imagination.
5. Check out these and more Perfect Picture Books at your local library.
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| Reviewed by Julie |
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| Reviewed by Dianne |
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| Reviewed by Tracy |
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| Reviewed by Joanne |
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| Reviewed by Joanna |
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| Reviewed by Beth |
Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for October 23, 2015 available on Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
The opening made me chuckle. I love fractured fairy tales and clever rhyming. This tale sounds like a winner.Great choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Most of us can't resist a good twist or a fairy tale well-told. I hope you like it as much as Zi do.
DeleteI absolutely love fractured fairy tales! And with an opening like that, this one has to be good. Putting it on my list! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is one of my favorite twists on the traditional. Leah has written "Waking Beauty" as well, though I have yet to find a copy.
DeleteThis sounds like so much fun, but I'll admit I probably would not have picked this off the shelf. Yes, I am outing myself: world's weirdest typography nerd!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. No shame in that. Please pick it up and tell me what you think. The art is a mix with photo- and digital-collage as well as traditional paint (I think) for the characters. Not my usual style, but I think it works well here. You may find the reprint which has a pink cover (yuck!) instead of blue.
DeleteThis book was a favorite in our house when my girls were in pre-school. Loved the clever rhyming.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've read it. My sons still remember it fondly, too. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI haven't read this one but it sounds great! Have to look for it.
ReplyDeleteIt's well worth a look. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI love twisted fairy tales and yes I"ve reviewed some for PPBF. Here is a link to one of them.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.clarabowmanjahn.com/perfect-picture-book-friday-alice-in-wonderland/
And also
http://www.clarabowmanjahn.com/the-frog-prince-continued-ppbf/
Just search for Jon Scieszka and you will find a ton of twisted fairy tales. He seems to be the best author for them. One of my favorits is Squids will be squids. He has a touch all his own. Hilarios.
I"ll check out this one, too. I love them. :)
Thanks, Clar! Somehow I missed your "Frog Prince Continued" review. And as I may have mentioned, I own that Sziesczka version of Alice. I adore it. Perfect additions, thanks again.
DeleteFractured fairy tales rock# And this one sounds hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFractured fairy tales rock# And this one sounds hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hope it inspires you!
DeleteLove love love fractured fairy tales...and when you combine it with what looks like spot on rhyming...whoa!
ReplyDeleteWill try to get a copy...thanks for placing this on PPBF, Joanne. And I love your post!
Thank-you very much, Vivian. It's always my pleasure.
DeleteI love fractured fairy tales.... but haven't seen this one yet. Gotta find it because it sounds too funny to not read.
ReplyDeleteI was sure I had seen it on Perfect Picture Book Friday, but couldn't find it after searching, so . . . ta-da! I'm glad to introduce it to so many regular PPBF reviewers.
Delete