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"Rapunzel" by Sarah Gibb

Author:

Sarah Gibb

Publisher:

Albert Whitman & Company

Reviewed by:

John Stewig, Carthage College

Gibb, Sarah. Rapunzel. Albert Whitman & Company, 2011

Sarah Gibb presents an elegant vision of a pleasantly traditional retelling based on the Brothers Grimm.At a time when fractured fairy tales are common place (The Really Groovy Story of the Tortoise and the Hare, same publisher, 2011) it is refreshing to find a beautifully produced and effectively written presentation, no gender transformation or setting/drastic time change needed.

This is interesting because of Gibb’s extensive use of silhouettes accompanying full color pastel art which bears a pleasant relationship to the antecedent work of Leonard Weisgard done during the 1940’s and 1950’s.The art is arrayed in various places on the page, from small vignettes set between blocks of text above and below to double page wordless spreads.Throughout, the generous use of white space enhances the elegant effect.Several of the pages feature effective cross sections which help to advance the storyline. Full page, and a double page wordless spread contribute to a leisurely retelling.The variety of pastels contrast with the inky black of the silhouettes and patterns abound for children who enjoy searching out details.

The book, first published in Great Britain in 2010, represents an interesting publishing direction for Whitman, better known for books designed to help child readers deal with various problem issues.A commitment to making traditional tales such as these available to children today is important, when few publishers are doing so.

The Center for Children’s Literature

Kenosha, Wisconsin

 Click here for a Word Document.