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Description
This book is a Cornish version of the old Rumplestiltskin folktale. A Caldecott Medal Book.
Quick Summary
Looking for a fairy tale with a clever twist? Harve Zemach's "Duffy and the Devil" puts a charming Cornish spin on the classic Rumplestiltskin story, and it's an absolute gem. The book won the Caldecott Medal, and once you see the vibrant, humorous illustrations, you'll understand why they're full of personality and bring the mischievous devil and quick-witted Duffy to life in a way that kids adore. It's a great pick for kids who already love traditional fairy tales and enjoy stories where the clever character outsmarts a villain through wit rather than brute force. Parents will appreciate that it introduces children to Cornish folklore while keeping things lighthearted, though there's a genuinely sneaky devil who might give very sensitive kids a small shiver. The story moves along at a satisfying pace, and the ending has a lovely payoff that kids often request to hear again. If your young reader can't get enough fairy tale retellings, they'd probably also enjoy "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" or any of Jan Brett's beautifully illustrated fairy tale adaptations.