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Graphic Spin
Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel
Long ago, a beautiful maiden named Rapunzel lived a life of loneliness. Taken at birth by an evil witch, she remained hidden, locked within a giant tower. Then one day, a prince heard her voice through the forest. To reach her, he must climb Rapunzel’s lovely locks and avoid being caught by the witch.
33 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
4 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie True Peters
125 books9 followers“By all appearances, I am a typical suburban mother,” reports Stephanie True Peters. “I’m forty-three, have two children, Jackson, age 11, and Chloe, age 9, and a husband, Dan, who to me seems ageless. I live in a nice neighborhood in a town just far enough south of Boston to be considered the boonies. I do the grocery shopping, the cleaning (well, sometimes), go to the gym, and operate the ride-on lawnmower with some regularity. Yes, I fit the role of typical suburban mother to a T.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 3, 2024
Honestly and truth be told, Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel (2009) has for me been pretty much a totally and utterly all encompassing disappointment with regard to its specific graphic novel status. Yes, for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel Stephanie True Peters does a generally decent textual job adapting Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm's Rapunzel story, keeping pretty close theme and contents wise to the 1857 version (although I personally rather prefer the 1812 version of Rapunzel where the Brothers Grimm clearly demonstrate that Rapunzel has been impregnated by the prince and is cast out of her tower when this becomes obvious). And just to say that I wish that True Peters would in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel call the main villain a sorceress and not a witch, since in Rapunzel the Brothers Grimm do call her a Zauberin (a sorceress in German) and which is a bit different meaning wise and not quite as totally negative as a Hexe (a witch in German) tends to be, and that I have always considered Frau Gothel as being nasty, one-sided and evangelically self righteous but not inherently and all-round evil incarnate, such as for example the witch from Hänsel und Gretel (but textually speaking, what Stephanie True Peters has written in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel is for the most part relatively enjoyable, is nicely reflective of the Brothers Grimm, and not to mention that I also very much appreciate the informative author's note regarding the genesis and the folkloric history of Rapunzel as a folktale).
However, and there is no way to put this even remotely mildly and gently, I absolutely and totally visually despise pretty much everything about Jeffrey Stewart Timmins' accompanying illustrations for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel and find that they absolutely do not work with Stephanie True Peters' presented text and indeed have totally and absolutely ruined Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel for me (and that my two star rating is actually ONLY for True Peters' words, as for me, Stewart Timmins' artwork is worth basically nothing at all, and that I am in fact still very much tempted to lower my rating for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel to only one star as the combination of text and images really does hugely and majorly suck). For one, ALL of Jeffrey Stewart Timmins' human characters in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel have similar facial features and look genetically related and that as such Rapunzel and her prince kind of look like brother and sister, which is pretty strange and uncomfortable in and of itself (except of course for the witch, who looks creepily and disgustingly like some kind of insect type entity instead of the rather dignified looking sorceress the Brothers Grimm present). For two, why does Jeffrey Stewart Timmins depict Rapunzel's prince as an Austrian or Bavarian peasant wearing Lederhosen? And for three, come on, since rampion (rapunzel) is a type of lettuce, why does in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel Stewart Timmons’ illustrations of said rampion look not like lettuce but like a type of carrot (and that for me, the pictures for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel make me at best groan and shake my head and that I really and truly cannot and will not recommend a graphic novel folk tale adaptation with artwork that just does not at all work for me by any stretch of my imagination and in fact aesthetically only and hugely, majorly infuriates me).
However, and there is no way to put this even remotely mildly and gently, I absolutely and totally visually despise pretty much everything about Jeffrey Stewart Timmins' accompanying illustrations for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel and find that they absolutely do not work with Stephanie True Peters' presented text and indeed have totally and absolutely ruined Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel for me (and that my two star rating is actually ONLY for True Peters' words, as for me, Stewart Timmins' artwork is worth basically nothing at all, and that I am in fact still very much tempted to lower my rating for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel to only one star as the combination of text and images really does hugely and majorly suck). For one, ALL of Jeffrey Stewart Timmins' human characters in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel have similar facial features and look genetically related and that as such Rapunzel and her prince kind of look like brother and sister, which is pretty strange and uncomfortable in and of itself (except of course for the witch, who looks creepily and disgustingly like some kind of insect type entity instead of the rather dignified looking sorceress the Brothers Grimm present). For two, why does Jeffrey Stewart Timmins depict Rapunzel's prince as an Austrian or Bavarian peasant wearing Lederhosen? And for three, come on, since rampion (rapunzel) is a type of lettuce, why does in Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel Stewart Timmons’ illustrations of said rampion look not like lettuce but like a type of carrot (and that for me, the pictures for Rapunzel: The Graphic Novel make me at best groan and shake my head and that I really and truly cannot and will not recommend a graphic novel folk tale adaptation with artwork that just does not at all work for me by any stretch of my imagination and in fact aesthetically only and hugely, majorly infuriates me).
August 14, 2013
The prince's eyes are really gross after he gets blinded.
November 26, 2016
lovely illustrations give this classic story the touch of darkness that perfectly fits. A nice simple retelling of Rapunzel.
January 17, 2020
just drawing ok. the story is really bad.
November 13, 2021
As I was doing my own research to find different versions of Rapunzel, I found a graphic novel version which I was immediately interested in due to the illustrations. This version was published in 2009, and I checked it out from my local library.
It starts out with a couple who is expecting a baby. They live next to a witch's garden, and the pregnant wife wants a vegetable that the witch is growing in her garden called rampion. The husband ends up stealing a lot of the vegetables, and the witch quickly finds out. The witch makes a deal with the couple that she has to take their baby after taking her rampion. The couple reluctantly accepts the deal because they are afraid of the witch and her powers. The witch raises Rapunzel for around 12 years in her garden, but then the witch locks her up in a tower. One day, a prince rides by the tower and discovers her. They fall in love, and the prince wants to get her out of the tower. Through many trials, they end up together and Rapunzel escapes the tower.
I thought the illustrations in this version of Rapunzel were captivating. The witch scenes were always pretty dark, showing the dim hope for her future. The details in the illustrations helped tell the story and showed the emotions of the characters. I didn't love this version because it just seemed odd and unlikely. The parents wanted the vegetables so they just gave up their child for them? The craving the wife had for these vegetables was pretty random as well. There weren't any diverse characters in this version, and the gender roles were pretty typical of a traditional lit story. I would use this book with upper elementary schoolers and discuss gender roles and some of the other stereotypes in the story. I did enjoy the graphic novel part of this story, my current students really love graphic novels.
It starts out with a couple who is expecting a baby. They live next to a witch's garden, and the pregnant wife wants a vegetable that the witch is growing in her garden called rampion. The husband ends up stealing a lot of the vegetables, and the witch quickly finds out. The witch makes a deal with the couple that she has to take their baby after taking her rampion. The couple reluctantly accepts the deal because they are afraid of the witch and her powers. The witch raises Rapunzel for around 12 years in her garden, but then the witch locks her up in a tower. One day, a prince rides by the tower and discovers her. They fall in love, and the prince wants to get her out of the tower. Through many trials, they end up together and Rapunzel escapes the tower.
I thought the illustrations in this version of Rapunzel were captivating. The witch scenes were always pretty dark, showing the dim hope for her future. The details in the illustrations helped tell the story and showed the emotions of the characters. I didn't love this version because it just seemed odd and unlikely. The parents wanted the vegetables so they just gave up their child for them? The craving the wife had for these vegetables was pretty random as well. There weren't any diverse characters in this version, and the gender roles were pretty typical of a traditional lit story. I would use this book with upper elementary schoolers and discuss gender roles and some of the other stereotypes in the story. I did enjoy the graphic novel part of this story, my current students really love graphic novels.
November 16, 2020
Summary: A baby is born a man and woman who made a deal with a witch, the witch will get their baby in exchange for rampion, a vegetable, to keep the wife from dying. The witch names the child Rapunzel, after the vegetable and locks her in a tower. A prince finds the tower, falls in love with Rapunzel, but after the witch finds out, she separates the two, even though they eventually find each other and live happily ever after.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are stunning. I loved that Rapunzel was depicted as having red hair, because in most of the texts I have read, and in the film Tangled, Rapunzel is shown with blonde hair. This version of the fairytale differs from the Disney film because Rapunzel is not a princess rather the man she falls in love with is a prince. In the Disney film the roles are reversed. I think any child who loves fairytales will love this graphic novel, however I would caution anyone who is easily frightened to not read this book because the illustrations, especially the witch may be scary to some. Overall, the is a fantastic version of the Rapunzel story.
The illustrations in this graphic novel are stunning. I loved that Rapunzel was depicted as having red hair, because in most of the texts I have read, and in the film Tangled, Rapunzel is shown with blonde hair. This version of the fairytale differs from the Disney film because Rapunzel is not a princess rather the man she falls in love with is a prince. In the Disney film the roles are reversed. I think any child who loves fairytales will love this graphic novel, however I would caution anyone who is easily frightened to not read this book because the illustrations, especially the witch may be scary to some. Overall, the is a fantastic version of the Rapunzel story.
January 7, 2020
I think the book is very nice.Author wrote story and drew pictures are very clear.The main content of this book is a pregnant woman because want to give birth to the child, must eat the witch's fruit, the pregnant woman's husband every night to pick the fruit, but one day was found by the witch, the witch can give pregnant women fruit, but the child must give the witch, they promised.The girl live in a tower.Her hair are very long.Witch always use her hair as a rope to climb up the tower.One day, a prince found the girl.He want to save the girl.But the witch found.She cut the girl's hair short.But the prince did not give up, insisted on the girl down, but blind. Later the girl and the prince lived a poor but happy life.Everything in the book is very exciting. The cover features dark filters to hint at the girl's miserable life.That's a very good book!
May 17, 2021
I'm going to tell you about " Rapunzel' because I think this book is suitable for children and education. Rapunzel is a girl living in Witch's house. Wait, why Rapunzel living in a witch's house? Let me tell you. Before Rapunzel was born, her mun want to eat delicious vegetables in a witch's house. So her dad is careful to the witch's house to get the vegetable, he succeeded. But Rapunzel's mun wants to eat more time, and her dad goes to the witch's house again. At this time, he is unlucky. The witch catches Rapunzel's dad and she said:" You can get this vegetable but you need to give Rapunzel to me when Rapunzel born. In a blink of an eye, Rapunzel grows up, she wants to know what the man looks like. One day she sees a man and the man is not dangerous. Rapunzel fell in love with him. In the final outcome, it should be that the prince and the princess are together. This book is a fairy tale suitable for children, not for adults. It has a happy ending, I think it can let the children know if they make a mistake there is a corresponding price. Also if you want to bless you need to surmount difficulties.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2021
This graphic novel has a different take on the story of Rapunzel. There are many versions of this fairy tale, so this one was interesting. Rapunzel’s parents stole from the neighboring witch, and with that they must give up their unborn child. Rapunzel falls in love with the prince that sneaks his way into her tower. This graphic novel kept the basis of the original with only a few changes. Overall, I thought that it was a good read as it did not stray too far from the original fairy tale. I would recommend it to 8-year-olds and above as the witch does blind the prince and take her from her parents. There are no diverse characters in this book. I just prefer other formats of this book, otherwise it was good.
April 6, 2018
In this amazing book Rapunzel by Stephanie Deters when Rapunzel was in her mother belly her mother want to eat rampion but there were her neighbor that was a witch. Her mother was dying to have one her husband only want to make her happy so he stole one. When the mother try it she love it only " if I could have a other one "she said . So the husband went to steal one again but this time the witch saw him and the husband told him the truth. The witch let the husband take all he wanted but when the baby was born they had to give it to her. Will the give up Rapunzel?
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April 11, 2018In this amazing book Rapunzel,By: Stephanie peters, Illustrated by: Jeffrey Stewart Cimmins, In the beginning of the book was about that Rapunzel was in the wife's stomach so the mom was pregnant. Next Rapunzel's mom needed vegetables form the witch's garden. Then the witch once cought the husband.Then the witch told the husband he can take the vegetables with one condition and the witch told the husband to give her the baby when its born.
Do you think the wife gave the baby to the witch ?
Do you think the wife gave the baby to the witch ?
July 7, 2018
Interesting take and bold illustrations.
September 17, 2018
The ending was different from the original ending but its okay.
August 20, 2022
3,5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 7, 2023
A beautiful retelling of the classic tale, amazing graphics make it fun to read.
July 12, 2024
I like the text a lot, but the art does not appeal. It's so gloomy, even in cheerier scenes. Includes rich back matter.
January 29, 2021
This is a very interesting book. The main content and illustrations have very bold ideas, which exaggerate the character models. In the final ending, the princess and prince lived a poor and happy life, which was wonderful.
March 26, 2023
This is another well illustrated graphic novel "retelling" of a classic fairy tale. This is another story I don't know much about, so I can't really compare to the original — or the Disney version — to know what the differences/similarities are.
August 9, 2013
Audience: ages 7-11
Unable to resist her craving for rampion, a pregnant peasant woman begs her husband to steal the vegetable from a witch's garden. Once they are caught they are forced to give their new baby over to the witch who keeps the long-haired girl in a high tower away from the world. When a kind prince discovers Rapunzel the two secretly fall in love; but face a world of trouble when the witch discovers their romance.
Peter's adaptation stays true to the Brothers Grimm version of the old tale complete with darker elements such as the witch banishing a pregnant Rapunzel to the woods after snipping her hair and the prince blinding himself in the bramble patch. More sensitive readers will note that Rapunzel gives birth to twins after having visited with the prince even though mention is made of a marriage. With whimsical artwork and dark, jewel-toned colors Timmins accomplishes an almost Tim Burton effect with his images. This faithful adaptation is recommended as a supplemental purchase for children's collections.
Unable to resist her craving for rampion, a pregnant peasant woman begs her husband to steal the vegetable from a witch's garden. Once they are caught they are forced to give their new baby over to the witch who keeps the long-haired girl in a high tower away from the world. When a kind prince discovers Rapunzel the two secretly fall in love; but face a world of trouble when the witch discovers their romance.
Peter's adaptation stays true to the Brothers Grimm version of the old tale complete with darker elements such as the witch banishing a pregnant Rapunzel to the woods after snipping her hair and the prince blinding himself in the bramble patch. More sensitive readers will note that Rapunzel gives birth to twins after having visited with the prince even though mention is made of a marriage. With whimsical artwork and dark, jewel-toned colors Timmins accomplishes an almost Tim Burton effect with his images. This faithful adaptation is recommended as a supplemental purchase for children's collections.
May 10, 2010
Of the four children's graphic novels from Capstone I've read I think the books illustrated by Jeffrey Stewart Timmins are my favorite. What a beautiful mix of dark, haunting imagery created with the soft touch of watercolor. The way he creates his characters are so interesting, I especially liked the Witch in Rapunzel. The only thing I would have changed would have been to have the speech bubbles and text also handdone instead of computer generated, I feel like it took away from the magic of the illustration and sort of sticks out like a sore thumb.
The actual story was a great rendition of the fairy tale I remember. I just love that witch! And as with the other books from the Graphic Spin series you can find a glossary, history, discussions and writing prompts in the back of the book. The reading level of Rapunzel is 2.5 or L. This would be a great introduction to the fable for children.
The actual story was a great rendition of the fairy tale I remember. I just love that witch! And as with the other books from the Graphic Spin series you can find a glossary, history, discussions and writing prompts in the back of the book. The reading level of Rapunzel is 2.5 or L. This would be a great introduction to the fable for children.
November 12, 2009
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Just look at the cover illustration! All I can tell you is it just gets better once you open the book. The pages all have a very dark background, the witch is dark, her parents who give her away are drab browns and Rapunzel and the Prince are the only bright features in the artwork until the end. I'd recommend this book alone for the artwork! The story is true to the Bros. Grimm original, written at a low reading level it still manages to tell the story in a detailed manner. I love that this series of books keeps true to the original tales. This is the first time I've read a children's version of Rapunzel where she turns up pregnant at the end, as in the original. Probably not for too young of children as the illustrations are dark and when we see the Prince's eyes which have been pierced by thorns, it is a little gross. Highly recommended!
March 8, 2012
A cross between a fairy tale and Coraline, this book was so much fun to read. While Rapunzel is a scary form of fairy tale... with the young girl being stolen away from her parents and locked in a tower by an evil witch/sorceress, this version made it much more intense and creepy. The illustrations are wonderfully unique and the story remains very close the the Grimm version. Between the illustrations and the way the story was told through dialogue and images made this my favorite version (of several) of Rapunzel.
As for age level... despite being creepy, the story is cleaned up from the traditional tale and would be suitable for primary grades, so long as they can handle eerie images.
As for age level... despite being creepy, the story is cleaned up from the traditional tale and would be suitable for primary grades, so long as they can handle eerie images.
November 22, 2011
I know I should give this a lower rating but I really liked how inappropriate it was at times. It's a J Graphic novel, but the story totally implies that Rapunzel and the prince sire two illegitimate children out of wedlock. Also, the prince's eyes get poked out on some thorns in a pretty gruesome manner. Still good and again, the illustrations were very cute. I really like these graphic novel fairy tales.
February 19, 2016
The dark illustrations (reminding one of Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton), graphic format, and basic retelling make this an attractive reading choice for 2nd grade and up (maybe even 1st). Boys especially seem to be drawn to it. Because this is the more traditional version of the story and not the Disney princess or currently romanticized version, it should also allow for great discussion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2015
My daughter (5 at the time) really loved Disney's "Tangled". I thought it'd be nice to introduce her to the real Grimm's tale. This little book definitely did a wonderful job at retelling the story, a rather different one from Disney. The illustrations were great as well.
April 19, 2013
A beautifully illustrated short graphic novel for young readers in keeping with the Grimm's darker tale of Rapunzel.
The story was a little too compact, but there was a very helpful page at the end explaining the origins of the tale.
The story was a little too compact, but there was a very helpful page at the end explaining the origins of the tale.
September 2, 2014
A very... strange version of the story and movie that we grew up with. I honestly wasn't a fan of the book. I did think that it was interesting how it was written in the form of a graphic novel though. I would say that this book would be good for 3rd-5th graders.
October 21, 2011
Working our way through this series.
June 9, 2012
Gorgeous pictures & true to the Grimm version.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews