Leah Wilcox

Told in rhyming couplets, Leah Wilcox's fractured fairy-tale takes the classic story of Rapunzel and turns it on its head. When a prince happens upon Rapunzel's tower and hears her weeping, he mistakes her chagrin at a bad hair day for true misfortune, and sets out to rescue her. But his efforts are baffled at every turn, as Rapunzel misunderstands his requests, throwing down underwear instead of hair, socks rather than locks, and so on. Eventually she does throw down something the prince show more wants, and the tale concludes happily...

One of those books which will undoubtedly appeal to the intended demographic, Falling for Rapunzel somehow fell just a little short for me, despite my life-long love of fairy-tales, and an interest in the ways in which they have been adapted over the years. I can see how the rhyming scheme will appeal to young readers and listeners, and have no doubt that the many misunderstandings will produce some giggles - what child doesn't like to come across unexpected references to underwear? Lydia Monks' colorful illustrations, using acrylic and collage, accentuate the humor of the story. But despite these many virtues, and a moderate level of enjoyment, I wasn't as "wowed" by this one as I expected to be. A solid effort in an enjoyable genre, Falling for Rapunzel didn't quite have me falling in love. show less

children's picture book (grades 1st-3rd)
I liked this when I originally read it several years ago (slapstick comedy! a rhyming scheme! lots of unique vocabulary words!), but now when I read it I am much more sensitive to the issues of consent (the princess does deliver a knock-out punch to the face to the prince when she wakes up, "Who said you could have a kiss?")--I made a note to the kids that you NEED TO ASK FIRST, but the whole sleeping beauty concept has been spoiled for me.
I recommend show more instead: Leah Wilcox's Falling for Rapunzel, which is another twisted fairytale with a (thankfully) totally conscious princess. show less

This re-tell of Rapunzel is very fun and enjoyable. When a prince rides up to Rapunzel's tower hoping to fall in love with her, she can't hear what he is asking her to do. He tells her to throw down her hair and she mistakes that for her underwear and he keeps asking her to throw different things down but she mistakes them for other funny things. Until he ask her to throw down her braid and instead she throws down her maid. Who the prince actually likes instead and they ride off to live show more happily ever after. This story was cute and funny I think children would love to read this, I know my five-year-old niece would crack up. show less

The best telling of Rapunzel I have ever read. Definitely has a funny twist. I love the cantaloupe part and the fact that she has a back door :) Also, I like that he fell for he maid (or, she fell for him) instead of Rapunzel like one would generally predict. Would be fun to have the kids guess what she's going to throw down after the prince makes his request. NEW FAVORITE!