Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Rumpelstiltskin by Paul O. Zelinsky

Mother’s Day isn’t exactly around the corner, but this episode is basically our present to our mom. She’s been bugging us to do this particular book for ages. Certainly that Caldecott Honor in the corner of the cover gives it the necessary picture book classics cred. Rumpelstiltskin is, indeed, one of my favorites. As you know, accuracy in the fiber arts is one of my picture book bugaboos.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

Show Notes:

– Here is the moon Kate can’t stand.

– I can’t just make a claim that Paul is the natty-est dresser at the ALA YMA Banquet without some evidence. So here are some of his highlights. The gold Caldecott bow-tie:

A tie he made:

A vest he made:

Here is a better shot of the previous tie Paul made alongside me wearing something pretty goofy to interview him.

– For more info on Rumpelstiltskin from Paul’s p.o.v. check out this interview on SLJ.

– This is the wheel in question. No pedals in sight.

– “Kid, you’re not that cool. Your tights are two different colors.”

– Coin. Coin? Coin!

– “Help me, Obi-wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope.”

– Happy baby

– For the record, the story “Little Man” in the book A Wild Swan and Other Tales by Michael Cunningham is the story I couldn’t conjure up while recording. It’s the most sympathetic telling of this tale.

– The Paul Galdone version:

– The one illustrated by Edward Gorey:

– And don’t forget to vote on the 100 Best Board Books Poll!

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate