A parent might reach for this book when their child who adores classic fairy tales is ready for a longer, more literary story with a touch of suspense. This beautifully written chapter book is a retelling of the English folktale "Tom Tit Tot" (a cousin of Rumpelstiltskin). It follows the young, pie-loving Queen Poll, who makes a foolish boast that she can spin five skeins of flax a day. When the King puts her to the test, a wicked little imp offers to do the work for her, but for a terrible price. The story explores themes of honesty, the consequences of our words, and how love and cleverness can overcome dark magic. For ages 7 to 11, it's a perfect step up from picture book fairy tales, offering rich language and a gentle, classic sense of wonder and peril.
The central conflict involves the threat of a baby being stolen by a malevolent, supernatural creature. This is a classic fairy tale peril, handled metaphorically. The story does not have religious overtones. The resolution is completely hopeful: the family is saved, and the evil is defeated permanently.
Ideal Reader
This is for an 8 to 10 year old who loves the magic of classic fairy tales like Cinderella but is ready for a more complex plot and richer language. They enjoy stories with riddles and secret knowledge, and appreciate a tale where wit, not just strength, saves the day. They are not overly sensitive to classic fairy tale villainy.
Parent Prep
The Noggin (the imp) is described as a dark, menacing creature, which could be frightening for a very sensitive child. Parents may wish to preview his first appearance (Chapter 3). However, the overall tone is gentle, and the book can generally be read cold, especially if the child is familiar with the Rumpelstiltskin story. A parent has just heard their child tell a boastful fib to fit in or impress someone. Or, the child is currently fascinated by stories with secret riddles and magical creatures, and the parent is looking for a classic, well-written example of the genre.
Age Experience
A younger reader (7-8) will focus on the plot: the magic, the talking bird, the scary imp, and the triumphant ending. An older reader (9-11) will better appreciate Eleanor Farjeon's beautiful, lyrical prose, the humor in the characterizations, and the moral lesson about the danger of pride and dishonesty.
What Makes It Special
Compared to the original folktale or the Grimm's version of Rumpelstiltskin, Farjeon's retelling is a full-fledged novel with developed characters and a richer world. The addition of the Silver Curlew as a benevolent, guiding force adds a unique element of gentle magic and hope. The story gives the King a proactive role in the quest to discover the name, making the resolution feel more like a team effort.
Read plot summary
A simple country girl named Poll becomes the Queen of Norfolk. To impress her stern mother-in-law, she foolishly boasts about her spinning skills. The King puts her to the test, and a mysterious, dark imp, the Noggin, appears, offering to spin the impossible amount of flax for her in exchange for her hand in marriage, and later, her firstborn child. The only way out of the bargain is for her to guess his name. The King, guided by a magical Silver Curlew, goes on a quest and overhears the imp singing his name: Tom Tit Tot. The Queen guesses correctly, and the villain is vanquished.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think Poll felt she had to boast about her spinning? What could she have said or done instead?
2
The Noggin helps Poll, but he is clearly a villain. Is it ever okay to accept help from someone you know is bad? What were Poll's other choices?
3
The King goes on a quest to find the name, guided by the Silver Curlew. If you had a magical guide, what problem would you want it to help you solve?
4
In many fairy tales, knowing someone's true name gives you power over them. Why do you think names are so important in stories like this one?
