Rapunzel (1997) by Paul O. Zelinsky is a visually stunning retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, winner of the Caldecott Medal for its exquisite Renaissance-inspired oil paintings. Zelinsky’s lush illustrations—rich in detail and luminous color—evoke the grandeur of Italian art, transporting readers to a world where Rapunzel’s golden hair cascades like a waterfall from her tower prison.
The story adheres closely to the Grimm version: a couple surrenders their newborn to a sorceress (Dame Gothel) in payment for stolen rapunzel greens; years later, the imprisoned Rapunzel catches the attention of a prince, leading to betrayal, exile, and eventual reunion. Zelinsky’s prose balances the tale’s darkness (the sorceress’s cruelty) with its romance (the prince’s devotion), while his artwork elevates it into a masterpiece of light, shadow, and emotion.
![A.A. Milne - When We Were Very Young 1924. First edition [1]](https://www.nocloo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/aam-young1-300x400.jpg)
