Richly textured, finely detailed oil paintings illustrate the familiar tale of the miller's daughter who bargains with a tiny man to spin straw into gold. Zelinsky's portrayal of Rumplestiltskin as a proud, graceful elf with a pointed nose and chin, long fingers and bulging eyes is unforgettable. His notes on the sources he used and choices he made for this particular retelling are exemplary. (Ages 3-8)

"Adult and child can delight together in the richness of color, gilt and detail...captured in such art. The story is palinly and gracefully told."--The New York Times Book Review"A lush and substantial offering." -- Booklist