Rip Van Winkle's Return

by Eric A. Kimmel, Leonard Everett Fisher (Illustrator)

Rip Van Winkle is an idler who would rather starve for a penny than work for a pound, and his wife is constantly nagging him. In search of peace, Rip heads off to the woods one day with his faithful dog, Wolf. High up in the Catskill Mountains, Rip meets an unusual group of little men. He drinks their strong beverage and falls into a deep sleep. When he awakens, he finds that twenty years have passed – the world has changed and so has he.
 
With vibrant paintings by Leonard Everett Fisher, Eric A. Kimmel’s adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic “Rip Van Winkle” introduces a Rip who reforms as a result of his experience.  Rip Van Winkle's Return is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Eric A. Kimmel is an American author of more than 150 children's books. His works include Caldecott Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman), Sydney Taylor Book Award winners The Chanukkah Guest and Gershon's Monster, and Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale.
Kimmel was born in Brooklyn, New York and earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lafayette College in 1967, a master's degree from New York University, and a PhD in Education from the University of Illinois in 1973. He taught at Indiana University at South Bend, and at Portland State University, where he is Professor Emeritus of Education.
Kimmel lives with his wife, Doris, in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Todd Strader · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first picked up Rip Van Winkle's Return I thought it might be an expansion of Irving's original. In fact, as one might expect, it is a simplified retelling. It is well done and I like Eric Kimmel's choices to show Dame Van Winkle's point of view in a more sympathetic light and to add a redemptive element to Rip's journey though time. The moral warring regarding the dangers of idleness is as timely as ever. It convinced me to abstain from Face Book and play Mine Craft for the rest of the day.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Kimmel has turned the legendary tale by Washington Irving into a cautionary tale.

Most satisfying to this modern-day reader is Kimmel's adaptation. Personally, I believe that every human lifetime has the potential for a great life, a meaningful life, a growthful life with service to others.

If I had friends who were actively wasting their lives, I would give each one a copy of this book for a possible wakeup call. Only I don't make friends with such people. Why bother?

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the author's note that not only expands on the story but explains a couple of 'adaptation' choices that Kimmel made. I appreciate that there is an edition for younger children. And that Kimmel gives a lot of different artists a platform to show their work... in this case, there's a vibe of woodcut, very fitting.

But really, you adults and big kids should read the original.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and accessible retelling of the Legend of Rip Van Winkle for grades 2 & up.

[Thuy · Rating 2 out of 5]

uhh...a deadbeat dad wrote this story to make himself feel better. how is this a children's book?