Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Carson Ellis
- Publisher: Orchard Books
- Publication Date: February 3, 2026
- Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
- ISBN: 9781338673852
Following up their successful The Three Billy Goats Gruff, comes this rendition of the traditional Rumpelstiltskin tale. A girl grew up in the woods with her father, a poor miller, who loved to exaggerate and tell tall tales. When her father met the king on the road, he explained that his daughter was amazing and could spin straw into gold. The king wanted to meet her and immediately brought her to a room full of straw, saying that she must spin it all into gold or die. That’s when Rumpelstiltskin entered her life and offered her a deal. Day after day, the girl made more straw into gold, ultimately forced to promise Rumpelstiltskin her first child in payment for his help. One final deal allowed her to try to guess his name and she discovers it by seeing him gloating by his fire.
Barnett keeps true to the overall structure of the tale, having the traditional piles of straw, promises to Rumpelstiltskin and guessing of the name. Along the way though, he adds in humorous touches such as the long list of names that the girl guesses, why her name isn’t shared and how very chatty her father is. The book reads aloud beautifully, actually one of the best Rumpelstiltskin versions for sharing aloud. The illustrations switch from rich paintings to ink drawings, moving the story forward and helping with envisioning the tale complete with frog catching.
A great new Rumpelstiltskin version for every library. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Waking Brain Cells 