November 15, 2023
In this fractured fairy tale, Compestine imagines the origins of a famous dish. Ra Pu Zel is an assertive, independent Chinese princess who loves to cook. She's constantly scolded for failing to be a proper lady until one day she's finally had enough and locks herself in her tower; using her long braid, she pulls up baskets of food from her mother. As she cultivates her hobbies, the delicious smells and lovely music that float out into the kingdom attract suitors from near and far. The emperor decrees that the first person who can draw the princess out of the tower will receive his marriage blessing. It isn't until a young chef arrives, pushing a cart that emits a horrible stench, that Pu Zel is finally lured out. The chef's stinky tofu--a delicacy in his hometown--wins her heart, and the dish goes on to become one of the most renowned in China. Kung's digital artwork is reminiscent of Chinese watercolor paintings, though with a modern sensibility and cinematic eye. The colorful, expressively detailed depictions of the princess' attempts to conform to expectations are a hoot, and her joy in being her best self in her tower is palpable. In the backmatter, Compestine explains that this story is "strictly from my own imagination" and includes a recipe for (non-stinky) tofu. A delicious mashup of fairy tales and food. (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
December 4, 2023
Affectionately told and vibrantly illustrated, this empowering “Rapunzel” retelling, set in long ago China, features a determined princess in charge of her own fate. Ra Pu Zel, who loves to cook, wears her hair in a braid. Scolded constantly by the empress for being in the kitchen and taking big bites, she locks herself in a tower and refuses to come down, appearing at the window only to draw up baskets of food the empress ties to her braid. Though the princess enjoys eating and playing her flute in peace, the delicious smells of her meals and the sound of her music attract the interest of princes, who set out to coax her down, until the scent of a unique tofu dish beckons her. Kung’s richly hued scenes shimmer with golden-hour light and communicate the protagonist’s spunk through facial expressions and gestures that, combined with Compestine’s well-paced story, makes for a tale that dishes up delight. An author’s note and recipe conclude. Ages 5–8.
January 19, 2024
Gr 1-3-In this fractured fairy tale, the classic story of "Rapunzel" is set long ago in China and follows a determined and empowered princess named Ra Pu Zel. She is constantly being scolded by the empress for her love of cooking and is encouraged to be the perfect princess she was destined to be. In protest, Ra Pu Zel decides to lock herself and her flowing braids in her tower to eat and cook in peace. Her parents are desperate for her to leave the tower and offer her hand in marriage to anyone who can convince her to come down. When a young chef begins cooking a batch of stinky tofu beneath her window, Ra Pu Zel is compelled out of her tower to investigate and eventually falls in love with the fermented tofu and the young chef. Kung's vibrant depictions create a cozy background for this retelling of how stinky tofu became one of the most famous dishes across Asia. Kung's dynamic illustrations take a comic approach, with close-ups of Ra Pu Zel munching and cinematic scenes of the setting that will engage readers already familiar with graphic novels. Back matter includes an author's note in which Compestine describes her childhood in China in the late 1960s and how she took great joy in creating a strong-willed and freethinking protagonist in Ra Pu Zel. Also included is a recipe for pan-fried tofu. VERDICT This creative retelling of "Rapunzel," that combines feminism, fairy tales, and food, will be enjoyed by all.-Katherine Kefi
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.