Delightful, lively Chinese twist on Rapunzel tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
very little
One of the princes who climbs Ra Pu Zel's tower to court her "falls to the ground" and we see a tiny, comic image of him descending through the air but do not see him get hurt on landing.
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Pu Zel is described as "strong-willed, independent, and loves to cook." She defies her parents' wishes and locks herself in her tower rather than entertain suitors her parents have chosen for her. She pursues her passion for cooking even though her mother insists, "The kitchen is no place for a princess!" In the end, she teams up—and falls in love—with a young chef who cooks her a specialty dish she'd never tried and didn't expect to like but did as soon as she tasted it. Her parents and governess try to make her behave like "a proper princess" but ultimately understand she must go her own way. Pu Zel's trusty dog Bao stays in the tower with her, serves as her official taster, and after sniffing and trying the young chef's stinky tofu, leads her to try it as well.
Educational Value
a lot
Back matter explains the Chinese naming convention of putting the last name first, so main character Pu Zel, whose family name is Ra, is known as Ra Pu Zel. But in most of the story she's called by her own name, Pu Zel. Back matter also describes what stinky tofu is (fermented tofu), its origins in ancient China, and how it remains a popular dish in China today. The book includes a recipe for Non-Stinky Pan-Fried Tofu that kids can make.
Positive Messages
a lot
You don't always have to live up to other people's expectations of you. Find happiness in following your passion. When it comes to food, try the unexpected—you just might like it.
Diverse Representations
a lot
The story is set in China with all Chinese characters and has roots in Chinese history and culture. Pu Zel bucks stereotypes of the way a "proper" princess should behave and takes control of her own life. Some class differences are shown, as readers see Pu Zel is not interested in the princes her emperor father and empress mother would prefer she consider for marriage. She chooses instead a commoner: a chef who shares her interest in cooking.
Parents need to know that Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu, by Ying Chang Compestine, adds a Chinese, feminist, and food-oriented twist to the classic European Rapunzel tale. As she did previously with Little Red Riding Hood and the Dragon and The Chinese Emperor's New Clothes, Compestine revises a well-known story to make it her own. As unseen narrator, she introduces her version as the "real" way the story unfolded—in China. Illustrator Crystal Kung, a character designer for Pixar Animation Studios, brings to life Compestine's vivid characters and snappy storytelling. Themes include courage, integrity, perseverance, and teamwork.
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What's the Story?
RA PU ZEL AND THE STINKY TOFU begins with the princess Pu Zel, daughter of Emperor Ra, feeling sad because she's always getting scolded by her parents and governess for cooking in the kitchen (not proper for a princess) and stuffing too much in her mouth when she eats ("a proper princess takes small bites"). They also want her to consider marriage proposals from a series of princes. Finally, she's had enough and locks herself in her tower and refuses to come out. Until a young chef cooks an unusual dish outside her door and she can't resist giving it a try. End pages include information about what stinky tofu is (fermented tofu), its origins, and its enduring popularity. The book includes a recipe for Non-Stinky Pan-Fried Tofu that kids can make.
In this lively, engaging rewrite of the Rapunzel story, the long-haired princess takes control of her destiny and follows her foodie passion instead of parents' expectations. Changing the setting from Europe to China and putting the focus on Pu Zel's love of food and cooking offers all sorts of possibilities for talented illustrator Crystal Kung. There's so much personality in each character and so much action on each page, reading the colorful picture book feels almost like watching an animated film. And Ying Chang Compestine's masterful storytelling maintains a great pace of action, conflict, and resolution. Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu is a fun adventure steeped in Chinese culture and cuisine.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu compares with the traditional Rapunzel story. How is it different? How is it the same?
Have your parents ever told you to eat something the "proper" way? What are the food rules in your family?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
