Rumpelstiltskin

Zelinsky, P.,  Grimm, W.,
& Grimm, J. (1986). Rumpelstiltskin. New
York: E.P. Dutton. 

Rumpelstiltskin
Originally published in German by Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm
Retold and illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky
Published by E.P. Dutton
New York, New York
1986
48 pages

A Caldecott Medal award winner

A poor miller lies to the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. The king is impressed and agrees that if she can truly do so, he will marry her. He calls for the girl and locks her in a tower with bales of straw and a spinning wheel, demanding that she spin all of the straw into gold by morning. The girl loses all hope until a strange creature enters the room and spins all of the straw into gold in exchange for her necklace. The next day, the king brings the girl to a larger room full of straw and makes the same demand. Again, the impish creature spins all of the straw into gold in exchange for the girl's ring. On the third day, the king brings the girl to yet a larger room - the girl has nothing left to pay the strange creature, but she promises him her firstborn child. Once again, he spins all the straw into gold. Keeping his promise, the king marries the girl. She bears him a child and the imp returns to claim his payment. The girl begs him to let her keep her child and the imp tells her that if she can guess his name within three days, she can keep her child. For the first two days, the girl fails. On the final night she goes out into the woods searching for him. She finds him dancing around a fire singing a chant that reveals his name... To find out what happens next,  purchase the book here! 

The illustrations in this book are exquisite. They are richly hued oil paintings that perfectly complement the smooth, simple telling of the story. The magical, fantastical story along with it's riveting illustrations are sure to captivate even the youngest of readers.

Classroom application ideas: 

• Break the story up into episodes or scenes. Divide students into groups and assign each group a scene/episode for them to re-tell or act out. This will get students thinking about sequencing, transitions, and dramatizing stories. Partake in a reader's theater!
• Have students write their own version of Rumpelstiltskin. Ideas: What would have happened if the girl had not guess Rumpelstiltskin's name correctly?, change the girl's character into a boy, change the time period and setting
• Do a science lesson on gold. Investigate the history of textile science. Watch videos on handspinning and visit the Joy of Handpsinning website. 

Watch the Rumpelstiltskin movie!