Rattlestiltskin

K-Gr 3—Kimmel retells "Rumpelstiltskin" with a Southwestern bent. Rosalia must prove she makes tortillas "so light and fluffy they float," in an effort to prove to the town's wealthiest resident that her mother's boasts about her are true. Convinced she has been set up for failure, she's saved at the last moment by the sudden appearance of a little green man dressed in a rattlesnake suit, who whispers to her the secret to floating tortillas. In exchange, she promises to do anything he asks—a promise Rosalia quickly forgets as she begins her new life of luxury, living in the vast hacienda and making the best tortillas in the world. Life is grand for the tortilla maker and her family, until the strange man comes back to collect on his promise. True to the original tale, Rosalia has three chances to get out of this deal by guessing his name. Stretching three chances into nine, Rosalia needs one more stroke of luck to get out of the agreement she made that long ago day. This tale stands on its own while paying homage to the original and includes Spanish words throughout the text. Colored-pencil drawings by first-time illustrator Camarca invoke the traditional Southwestern landscape and dress and complement the story well.