Friday 30 October 2015

Picture Book Review - Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Wash Your Hair! - Steve Smallman (Author) & Neil Price (Illustrator)

Picture Book Review - Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Wash Your Hair! - Steve Smallman (Author) & Neil Price (Illustrator)



I've got to be honest and say that normally I can't imagine there being anything that would make me particularly recommend one re-telling of a fairy tale over another. It's not that there aren't any good picture books of fairy tales available, because there are - loads in fact, which is why it makes this telling a bit special that I want to share it.

The clue is in the title really; Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Wash Your Hair! is a story for children about what will happen if you don't have good hair-hygiene (it even says this on the front cover). Far from the handsome prince coming along and climbing straight up Rapunzel's hair, we get TWO princes coming along and rejecting the opportunity because our heroine has neglecting to wash her hair for a considerable length of time! Even the wicked witch refuses to come and visit any more!

Couple this with the twist on how rescued maidens and their handsome princes usually get married (hint: they don't here, with the end result being much funnier), and you've got a fairy tale re-telling that I'd recommend above most others. Lovely illustrations to highlight that horrible hair, too!

4/5

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