Falling For Rapunzel

My 9-year-old daughter thought this book was so hysterical, she read it multiple times. You know a book is funny when even an 11-year-old boy is laughing at a story about Rapunzel. This fractured tale involves a lot of comical understandings which even my 5 year old enjoyed.

Falling for Rapunzel Details

Title: Falling for Rapunzel
Author: Leah Wilcox
Illustrator: Lydia Monks
Publication Year: 2003
Age Group: Preschool, Kindergarten
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Comments

This book is pretty old, but we stumbled across it by accident at the library. I am a huge fan of fractured fairy tales to begin with. I love the idea of taking a classic story and switching up some aspect of it. This particular version of Rapunzel is set in modern times. The illustrations include elements such as cars, computers, and blow dryers. The primary comical vehicle in this story is that Rapunzel cannot understand the prince who is trying to convince her to let down her hair. My kids think it is hysterical when she throws down her underwear instead. In the end, Rapunzel’s maid rides off with the prince rather than Rapunzel. There is an added element of humor when she walks out her back door to leave the tower.

Another aspect of this picture book that I appreciate is the illustrations. While most of it is drawn, many of the trees are created using photographs of the leaves and branches of real trees. This adds visual interest that draws the audience in. There are also many details that are not necessarily relevant to the plotline but add humor as well, such as Rapunzel’s messy room and her crayon-drawn decorations. This attention to detail makes this a book that kids will want to revisit.

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