About this book

Once upon a time there was a clever girl with a not-so-clever father. When her father claims she can spin straw into gold, the king forces the girl to perform this impossible task. She has no other choice than to accept a strange deal from a mysterious little man. But when he arrives and attempts to collect the debt, the fiendish trickster Rumpelstiltskin discovers that he is the one who has been tricked! This is the second in the groundbreaking new collection of masterfully retold fairy tales crafted by one of today's most celebrated and esteemed authors, Mac Barnett, paired with the stunning illustrations of the acclaimed and award-winning creator, Carson Ellis.

With Barnett's signature pacing and wit, his subversive storytelling style and narrative voice, and Ellis's stunning folk-art style, this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin will introduce this classic story to a new generation of readers!

Reviews

Praise for Rumpelstiltskin:

* ''Following his reimagining of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” Barnett retells “Rumpelstiltskin,” his wisecracking lines (the miller is “a nice enough guy, but he had a big mouth”) joined by the medieval elegance of gouache spreads by Caldecott Honoree Ellis... Short, punchy text juices the tale’s momentum, while portraits trace the miller’s daughter’s journey from frog-catching child to regal royal and back again in this haunting tale about the power of knowing someone’s name.'' -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* ''...Theirs is a pleasing alchemy, with Barnett employing conversational language anchored in understated humor and Ellis’ rich gouache illustrations evoking both wood-block prints and Renaissance portraiture. The original story, as told by the Brothers Grimm, isn’t much altered here; rather, it is filled out with creative details that enrich the narrative and give context to the life of the woman at the center of the whole debacle...Ellis sets the historical tone with her fantastic artwork...the landscapes are decidedly lush...'' -- Booklist, starred review

* ''Two acclaimed creators retell a fairy-tale classic. Employing a conversational style, Barnett offers a fresh and immensely entertaining take on an old story... Deeply familiar but infused with 21st-century smarts; expect cries for repeated reads.'' -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for The Three Billy Goats Gruff:

2023 Odyssey Honor Book

A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2022

A Horn Book Magazine Best Book of 2022

A Smithsonian Magazine Best Children's Books of 2022

Selected by the Chicago Public Library as one of 2022's Best Picture Books

* "It's hard to imagine a more appropriate pair of picture book rascals to remix this famous fairy tale, a series-starting retelling, than collaborators Barnett and Klassen." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "This inaugural offering in Scholastic's new fairy-tale series... sets the bar high and will be a favorite read-aloud among kids. Picture-book superstars Barnett and Klassen are known for their stellar collaborations, and their many fans will be waiting to snap this up." -- School Library Journal, starred review

* "Sure to be a read-aloud favorite, this engaging interpretation will sit comfortably next to memorable versions by Marcia Brown, Glen Rounds, Paul Galdone, and Jerry Pinkney." -- The Horn Book, starred review

"This classic Norwegian fairy tale gets a hilarious and thrilling update courtesy of the picture-book kings Barnett and Klassen that will have kids giggling and gasping at the same time." -- The New York Post

"The Three Billy Goats Gruff feels so organic, the Norwegian folk tale reads like a retelling born of the oldest soil." -- The New York Times Book Review

"This is the first volume in a planned Scholastic series of fairy-tales, cheekily told (and illustrated) anew." -- The Wall Street Journal

"This wickedly funny take will leave children clamoring for more." -- BookPage

"Fans of either Barnett or Klassen will love this retelling." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Barnett and Klassen's playful retelling gives a modern tone to the fairy tale and offers young readers the opportunity to muse about the story's conclusion." -- Shelf Awareness

"Kids in your life will thank you for adding this fresh fairy-tale remake to their shelves." -- Smithsonian Magazine