Friday, October 23, 2015

PPBF: Falling For Rapunzel

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Falling For Rapunzel,
by Leah Wilcox and Lydia Monks
Falling For Rapunzel
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.

Courtesy Purple Patch Parties
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.

Reviewed by Julie
Reviewed by Dianne


Reviewed by Tracy
Reviewed by Joanne
Reviewed by Joanna
Reviewed by Beth

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.


19 comments:

  1. The opening made me chuckle. I love fractured fairy tales and clever rhyming. This tale sounds like a winner.Great choice!

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    1. Thanks. 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.

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  2. I absolutely love fractured fairy tales! And with an opening like that, this one has to be good. Putting it on my list! Thanks!

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    1. It is one of my favorite twists on the traditional. Leah has written "Waking Beauty" as well, though I have yet to find a copy.

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  3. This 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!

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    1. Ha 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.

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  4. This book was a favorite in our house when my girls were in pre-school. Loved the clever rhyming.

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    1. Glad you've read it. My sons still remember it fondly, too. Thanks for commenting.

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  5. I haven't read this one but it sounds great! Have to look for it.

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  6. I love twisted fairy tales and yes I"ve reviewed some for PPBF. Here is a link to one of them.

    http://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. :)

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    1. 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.

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  7. Fractured fairy tales rock# And this one sounds hilarious! Thanks for sharing.

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  8. Fractured fairy tales rock# And this one sounds hilarious! Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Love love love fractured fairy tales...and when you combine it with what looks like spot on rhyming...whoa!
    Will try to get a copy...thanks for placing this on PPBF, Joanne. And I love your post!

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    1. Thank-you very much, Vivian. It's always my pleasure.

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  10. I love fractured fairy tales.... but haven't seen this one yet. Gotta find it because it sounds too funny to not read.

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    1. I 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.

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