Myths and Legends

Today, I'm celebrating the writer and artist Paul Zelinsky.

I've written before about Zelinsky's terrific "Rumpelstiltskin," but (today) I'd like to spotlight Rapunzel.

In "Rapunzel," Zelinsky gives us beautiful Italian interiors, and snapshots of something that seems to be the Tuscan countryside. We see a young maiden with perfect, creamy skin and flowing blond hair, and she wears fabulous frocks. By contrast, her oppressor, the Witch, has papery, wrinkled skin and crazy eyes. (Zelinsky seems to get special pleasure from drawing ghouls, and his insane Witch makes me think of his equally frightening Rumpelstiltskin.)

Maybe my favorite "Rapunzel" image has the Witch snipping off the maiden's hair; the maiden covers her ears and shuts her eyes, blocking out the world. You can feel her sense of horror.

Finally: Did you know that Zelinsky did the pictures for "Dear Mr. Henshaw" and its sequel? I'm including, here, Zelinsky's (pencil) image of Angela Badger, the eccentric writer who redirects Leigh Botts to the right path. Once again, I can sense Zelinsky's pleasure in his work. You get a strong impression of Angela's oddness and intelligence and mischievousness. Three cheers for Zelinsky.

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