Rumpelstiltskin (original 1986; edition 1996)

I really enjoyed the refresher on this fairy tale, and the illustrations are beautiful! ( )

Beautiful illustrations accompany this classic tale about the woman who sells her firstborn child to a troll in order to spin straw into gold. In order to save her child, she must guess the troll's name by the 3rd night.

This is the classic tale of Rumpelstiltskin. It can be used to introduce different genres and this being folktale. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and can tell the story alone, I feel as if this is why it received a Caldecott honor. ( )

Summary: A miller's daughter is forced to spin straw into gold for the king. If she does not complete this task, she will die. The woman was frightened and did not know what to do. Thankfully, a tiny man comes and offers to help, in return for her necklace. All of the straw was spun into gold, but this made the king even more greedy, so he had her continue. This time, the woman gives the tiny man her ring. This continues a third time. The woman has nothing left to give, so she promises to give the man her first born son in exchange for his help. The king finally marries the woman and she becomes queen. The tiny man comes back after she has a son and makes her a bargain: if she can guess his name within 3 days, then she can keep her child. The queen sends her servant out into the woods to find the man, who overhears him saying his name. When the little man goes back to the queen on the third day, she successfully guesses his name as "Rumpelstiltskin". The tiny man leaves and is never seen again.

Genre Critique: This is a good example of a folktale, as it is a story that was passed down orally and retold over many years. This book is a retelling of the Grimms' earliest versions of the story. This story holds characteristics that fit the criteria of a folktale. Repetition is seen multiple times, with the woman having the task to spin straw into gold 3 times, having to give something to the little man 3 times, and later on having 3 days to guess the little man's name. The plot is simple and fast-paced. The conclusion directly follows the climax, as Rumpelstilskin leaves and flies out the window right after the queen states his name. Lastly, the story teaches valuable lessons such staying away from greed.

Media: oil paints, watercolor ( )

Summary: The story of Rumpelstiltskin is about a poor miller and his daughter, when on his way to town one day he saw the king and wanted to impress him. He lied to the king and told him that he had a daughter who knew the art of spinning straw into gold. When the daughter was brought to the king he told her that is she didn't spend the straw into gold that she would have to die. Not knowing where to even start spinning straw into gold the millers daughter was afraid for her life and wept all night until a small man came in and offered to help her spin the straw into gold for her necklace and then for the ring on her finger. After this the King wanted more gold and if she succeeded she would become his wife. That night the little man came back and told the daughter that when if he did it this time for her that when became Queen she would have to give him her first born child. Thinking that she can out smart the little man she agreed. After the birth of her first child she must learn the name of the little man in order for the promise to be taken away.

Personal Reactions: This story is awesome. I remember when I first heard it was in second grade and it's just as interesting this time as the first. I love the illustration because it's so rich in color and texture which makes the characters look so human like which is amazing.

Classroom Extension Ideas: 1. Take some pieces of straw from a broom and pass it around the class and ask the students if they think they could turn the straw into gold.
2. Have the students take a scene/picture out of the book/story and draw it. ( )