Module 4: Folktales and Fairlytales Revisited

Wilcox, Leah. Falling for Rapunzel. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2003.

Summary: In this spoof of the original fairy tale, Rapunzel has trouble hearing the prince and his requests. She mishears everything, and throws down underwear instead of her hair, and dirty socks instead of curly locks. In rhyme and bright vivid illustrations, this fractured fairy tale takes a twist when Rapunzel throws down her maid instead of her braid, and the maid and prince fall in love and ride off on his horse. To further add to the nonsense, Rapunzel hopes that next time they use the back door to the tower!

Impressions: Perfect for read-alouds with a great blend of kid-friendly humor including underwear and dirty socks, this one is sure to be laugh-out-loud funny! This is a perfect introduction to fractured fairy tales, and should be read after a traditional version of Rapunzel. Would also be great within a fractured fairy tale unit and could complement other fractured fairy tales such as David Wiesner's The Three Pigs. 

Reviews:

Horn Book: This irreverent spoof plays with words, rhyme, and fairy-tale conventions with obvious delight. The bright and lively mixed-media illustrations are equally imaginative and extend the text's infectious humor. 

School Library Journal:

K-Gr 4-The verses are clever and concise, and the rhyming pattern allows listeners to anticipate their endings and to giggle over the results. The rhythm is consistent and the stresses in each line flow naturally, inspiring would-be poets. Monks's delightful acrylic-and-collage illustrations add to the humor. Their bright, vivacious colors, bold patterns, fun background details (e.g., skyscrapers, airplanes, and a computer in Rapunzel's tower), and exaggerated facial expressions reinforce the silliness. 

Booklist:

 Acrylic paint, colored pencil, and collage mix together in slapstick pictures that match the text in cheeky appeal. Of course, the story is funnier if children know the original tale, but even if they don't, this version takes on a bouncy life of its own.