What do you think?
Rate this book
Rapunzel: A Happenin' Rap
Rapunzel--she's the spoiled girl in the tower, the one with the lo-o-o-ng hair and unusual flair.
Witch--she's mean and getting meaner 'cause she's tired of granting Rap's every little wish.
Fine Prince--this cool strutting dude is mad about Rap, but he's got to climb up to the tower before Witch gets back!
Will Rapunzel and Fine Prince hook up and live happily ever after?
From the Hardcover edition.
Witch--she's mean and getting meaner 'cause she's tired of granting Rap's every little wish.
Fine Prince--this cool strutting dude is mad about Rap, but he's got to climb up to the tower before Witch gets back!
Will Rapunzel and Fine Prince hook up and live happily ever after?
From the Hardcover edition.
32 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 1998
24 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 29, 2024
I mean, it's not really good, but I also had a delightful time reading it, soooo...
December 17, 2018
A retelling of Rapunzel in the form of a rap. Rapunzel is super selfish, prince is super shallow... I can't really think of any redeeming qualities in this story. Same author as Yo, Hungry Wolf (which is better... But only barely.)
May 10, 2017
it is a very fun version of the original
March 1, 2024
It's completely unhinged, but I found it amusing.
July 12, 2016
Where do I begin…this take on Rapunzel by David Vozar is definitely interesting? To be completely honest I am not 100% sure how I feel about this book. There are some subliminal messages within this rendition that I cannot over look and make me question what subliminal messages the original telling holds. Rapunzel to me is not about a superficial and impulsive man seeking to capture a bratty stereotypical rendition of femininity, but rather man who risks everything to save a families loss. Not to say Rapunzel isn’t in some respects a derogatory depiction of the female archetype, because it is, but that doesn’t mean such implications should be in stated within modern story telling.
Rap and Hip Hop are now considered a prominent part of pop culture, so it makes sense for authors to play on the growing sub-genre, but in this case it is not in the author’s best interest. Lines of the rap often do not rhyme with their following lines and often feel choppy when spoken aloud. Another issue I had with the text was the depiction of Rapunzel and the “fine” prince. Firstly, Rapunzel’s actions appear gluttonous and no reprimand for such actions is ever addressed leaving young readers to believe such behavior is justifiable (it isn’t). Also the fine prince literally says he is better than everyone in the world, and once again such immoral behavior is never addressed. Another issue I had with the prince’s character has to do with his ability to see Rapunzel as an object for his capture. Although the subject’s implications are played upon in the original fairy tale we must again ask ourselves if these implications hold to the times and should continue to be upheld.
Overall RAPunzel: a happenin’ story, is a “different” example of the classic tale that I personally do not enjoy. Modern times speak of a different ideology and because of this authors should consider editing or manipulating content when retelling such tales. Women are no longer painted with only a materialistic brush, so why craft your only female character in such a light? Men don’t possess women or any human for that matter and by portraying them in such a thuggish way we lose out on the true charismatic, heroic and sometimes sensitive nature of a man; on the bright side the illustrations are indisputably playful.
Rap and Hip Hop are now considered a prominent part of pop culture, so it makes sense for authors to play on the growing sub-genre, but in this case it is not in the author’s best interest. Lines of the rap often do not rhyme with their following lines and often feel choppy when spoken aloud. Another issue I had with the text was the depiction of Rapunzel and the “fine” prince. Firstly, Rapunzel’s actions appear gluttonous and no reprimand for such actions is ever addressed leaving young readers to believe such behavior is justifiable (it isn’t). Also the fine prince literally says he is better than everyone in the world, and once again such immoral behavior is never addressed. Another issue I had with the prince’s character has to do with his ability to see Rapunzel as an object for his capture. Although the subject’s implications are played upon in the original fairy tale we must again ask ourselves if these implications hold to the times and should continue to be upheld.
Overall RAPunzel: a happenin’ story, is a “different” example of the classic tale that I personally do not enjoy. Modern times speak of a different ideology and because of this authors should consider editing or manipulating content when retelling such tales. Women are no longer painted with only a materialistic brush, so why craft your only female character in such a light? Men don’t possess women or any human for that matter and by portraying them in such a thuggish way we lose out on the true charismatic, heroic and sometimes sensitive nature of a man; on the bright side the illustrations are indisputably playful.
October 17, 2012
This is my third fairy tale title.
The illustrations in this book are a bit dated, in my opinion. It's hard to describe, as I do not know much about art. But looking at the picture, I felt like it was a story from the 80s before I even read it. It makes some references to things that do not feel current or timeless, as well.
I think this book was intended for upper elementary school students, or for younger students as a read-aloud. It is a "rap" (or poem!)... although many children may get drawn in because of how "cool" raps are. I imagine this would be a fun read for students who need to work on fluency.
This is the traditional Rapunzel tale, with a twist. Rapunzel is taken away after her father spills marshmellow ice cream on an unfriendly neighbor. She grows up in the tower and is extremely spoiled! She asks for (and gets) whatever she wants. A prince walks by and wants to come up, but Rapunzel keeps putting him off because she is fixing her hair. She has the traditional twins at the end of the story, but it was a nice twist that Rapunzel is now catching stares because she shaved off her locks!
Taken lightly, this book was fun and I think children would enjoy it.
The illustrations in this book are a bit dated, in my opinion. It's hard to describe, as I do not know much about art. But looking at the picture, I felt like it was a story from the 80s before I even read it. It makes some references to things that do not feel current or timeless, as well.
I think this book was intended for upper elementary school students, or for younger students as a read-aloud. It is a "rap" (or poem!)... although many children may get drawn in because of how "cool" raps are. I imagine this would be a fun read for students who need to work on fluency.
This is the traditional Rapunzel tale, with a twist. Rapunzel is taken away after her father spills marshmellow ice cream on an unfriendly neighbor. She grows up in the tower and is extremely spoiled! She asks for (and gets) whatever she wants. A prince walks by and wants to come up, but Rapunzel keeps putting him off because she is fixing her hair. She has the traditional twins at the end of the story, but it was a nice twist that Rapunzel is now catching stares because she shaved off her locks!
Taken lightly, this book was fun and I think children would enjoy it.
October 6, 2014
RAPunzel A Happenin' Rap is a very poetic story. The characters are pro-traded as dogs, and the story starts when a father slips ice cream on the witch and the witch tells him that the only way he can live is if he gives his new born to her. The witch spoils her new baby, who is named Rapunzel. Rapunzel has the most beautiful locks of hair and a boy falls in love with her. Rapunzel gets kicked out by the witch because the witch cannot stand her spoiled attitude. Rapunzel then starts a life with the boy she has fallen in love with.
This fractured story is super creative and fun with its rhymes and silly jokes. Most children will need to know the actually fairy tale to understand this story. The pictures are really beautiful and connect to what the text has to say by giving an example of whats trying to be said. While the story is told with human features, the picture show dogs which gives the story a sense of texture comical sense. While the ending is very much a surprise it is a great read.
This fractured story is super creative and fun with its rhymes and silly jokes. Most children will need to know the actually fairy tale to understand this story. The pictures are really beautiful and connect to what the text has to say by giving an example of whats trying to be said. While the story is told with human features, the picture show dogs which gives the story a sense of texture comical sense. While the ending is very much a surprise it is a great read.
October 3, 2014
David Bozar pursues a new take on the classic tale of Rapunzel. Rapunzel, a selfish dog with gorgeous hair, demands more and more of the witch. When the witch leaves, she finally allows a suitor to climb her hair. The witch returns to find the ungrateful Rapunzel and her beau. The witch, fed up with Rapunzel's greedy demands, throws her out of the tower. Rapunzel and her beau open a hair salon and have two puppies.
Rapunzel: A Happenin' Rap would be appropriate for readers between ten and twelve years old or as a read aloud with children between three and five. The book is written in the form of a rap or verse that would be appropriate for developing phonological awareness in young readers. Readers familiar with the traditional tale of Rapunzel will also appreciate the humor in the retelling.
Rapunzel: A Happenin' Rap would be appropriate for readers between ten and twelve years old or as a read aloud with children between three and five. The book is written in the form of a rap or verse that would be appropriate for developing phonological awareness in young readers. Readers familiar with the traditional tale of Rapunzel will also appreciate the humor in the retelling.
October 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The book is based in a big city and takes a very similar plot to that of the original Rapunzel. Some of the characters, including Rapunzel herself go by nicknames like Rap instead of Rapunzel and this helps tie the characters into the modern setting that the story is based in. The illustrations tie in very well with the story because they are almost drawn in a graffiti-like medium and they help the reader connect with with the plot and the characters themselves. Overall this book is very well written and puts a nice spin on the original story and perhaps can make the reader see the story in a simpler light. I would definitely recommend.
October 16, 2014
Yo! Bust it! This jam is a re-tell of the Rapunzel thing--word! This babe is born in the Crib and this Wee-otch (A witch with a Capital B, know whut I'm sayin'?) is fuckin with her booty and givin her a bad hair day, straight up! So we have a fresh prince rescuing our homegirl from some castle more cell block than the ATL and more suck city than the damn Ghetto PJs. It's rap with a conscience, 'cos at least they won't be usin' an AK--I guess today is a good HAIR DAY. How dope is that, y'all? Peace out!
June 4, 2015
The book is aimed for younger children. The story is about Rapunzel whom is a girl dog. This will automatically grab the attention of the readers. She is taken by a witch. The witch gives her whatever she wants. Rapunzel is very spoiled. She doesn't even want to le down her hair because she either washed or brushed it. You won't believe what happens to the witch. Children will have a laugh once they find out. It tells a story that anyone can be a princess even animals.
February 29, 2012
A take-off, in rap style with dogs as characters, on the story of a girl with long hair who is imprisoned by a witch.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews