Author Ying Chang Compestine mixes a wise, intelligent heroine into her personal tackle the Rapunzel story, impressed by Chinese tradition and meals in addition to Compestine’s personal childhood. In a world of myriad fairy-tale retellings, Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu stands out as pleasant, energetic and distinctive: a fairy story you’ll fortunately devour.
The “Rapunzel” of Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu does, certainly, have a tower and an extended braid. But for Pu Zel, daughter of the Emperor and Empress Ra, the tower is a sanctuary the place she will prepare dinner and eat with out listening to fixed reminders to be a “perfect princess.” Pu Zel’s mom sends up baskets of meals through Pu Zel’s braid, and Pu Zel proceeds to prepare dinner for herself and her canine, whereas fortunately ignoring the pleas of the many suitors her father sends to woo her down. It will take one thing way more fascinating—and smelly—than songs and kites to get her consideration. Compestine, who started telling tales as a baby in Sixties China, the place Western books have been scarce, combines Pu Zel’s easy, sensible method with simply sufficient whimsy to make this an amazing read-aloud.
In her image e-book debut, illustrator Crystal Kung creates an enchantingly gentle watercolor-and-ink world of mountains and houses that appears as if it might be included in a museum assortment of Chinese artwork. Against this conventional backdrop, Pu Zel and her tower pop in an explosion of vibrant, modern-princess vitality. Her household, tutors and suitors are expressive and intricate, clad in beautiful finery. Kung seamlessly blends all the pieces collectively and fills each web page with intriguing particulars and motion. Her use of gentle and shadow is very spectacular; this story feels utterly prepared for the huge display screen. Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu is a superb first act that can have readers hoping for a lot of extra books from this illustrator.
Ra Pu Zel’s story wraps up with an insightful afterward and a recipe for “Non-Stinky Pan-Fried Tofu” that can fulfill curious, hungry readers. Whether that is your first Rapunzel retelling or your fiftieth, Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu has all the elements to entertain, delight and shock readers (and fairy story collectors) of all ages. And for these in search of a fortunately ever after, it’s smelly tofu for the win.
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