About This Book
Diane Stanley brings to life 'Petrosinella,' the 17th-century Neapolitan fairy tale by Giambattista Basile, which predates the Grimm's 'Rapunzel.' This version features a more active and resourceful heroine, Petrosinella, who is taken by an ogress after her pregnant mother steals parsley. Imprisoned in a tower, Petrosinella learns 'magic arts' from the ogress. When a prince discovers her, she doesn't wait to be rescued; instead, she plans their escape, using three magic acorns to create distractions during a suspenseful chase. This book is a wonderful way to introduce children to the rich history of fairy tales and discuss themes of bravery, independence, and cleverness, offering a refreshing alternative to more passive heroines.
In this version of Rapunzel, the heroine breaks the enchantment put on her by the ogress who keeps her prisoner with the aid of three acorns.
peril_danger
Scary Scenes
Character Death
Discussion Prompts
1
How is Petrosinella different from the Rapunzel you might know? What do you think about her choices?
2
What kind of magic did Petrosinella learn? How did she use it to help herself and the prince?
3
The ogress was very angry. What do you think made her so mean? Do you think her punishment was fair?
4
If you had three magic acorns, what would you wish for them to turn into to help you in a tricky situation?
5
This story comes from Italy a long, long time ago. Why do you think people still tell fairy tales today?
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