RUMPELSTILTSKIN

RUMPELSTILTSKIN retold by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Carson Ellis

With April Fool's Day right around the corner, it's time to add in a couple of books that have a little bit of trickery in them. Mac Barnett's retelling of Rumpelstiltskin will be the first,

Mac Barnett does a great job bringing just a little bit of a new vibe to an old classic. The feel of the story is original with the descriptions and language. Then, out of the blue, a modern phrase, name, etc will add just the perfect amount of break-in that more often than not, adds a bit of humor to the tale. This addition of comic relief can (1) help to give this classic a little bit of breathing room for kids that struggle a bit with the intense parts of the story or (2) give a child a story that will promote a few chuckles from its pages. Either way its a win!

Regarding the illustrations - I love Carson Ellis's work in this book. The artwork helps the story keep the feeling of originality. A clear medieval presence fills the pictures. They are dark with punctuated areas of jewel tones giving a nod to the subject of royalty.

So what do you do with a book like this? (1.) Read it aloud to your child for pure enjoyment only. (2.) Read it aloud and discuss the consequences of exaggeration and bad decision making. (3.) Grab a copy of the original tale and read it aloud alongside this version. Compare and contrast the two versions. Which one does your child like better? Why?