The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde (2002, Paperback, Reprint)

I picked up this book because i have always loved fairy tales and now collect fairy tales for adults and Beauty and the Beast books.

Have you ever wondered why Rumpelstiltskin wanted the miller's daughter's first child? Why did he or she as in one of these six delightful tales teach her to spin gold? Does she ever learn the skill on her own? Why would a little man who can spin straw into gold do the task for her gold ring? What is Rumpelstiltskin motive for spinning for the miller's daughter? Well Vivian Vande Velde has wondered all these questions and more. She is excellent at presenting twists on this fairy tale.

She answers a lot of unasked questions. My favorites tale was is the one in which the miller's daughter solves the problem for herself by ... well, you'll have to read the book.

I loved this book and can highly recomend it. It is suitable for pre-teens but one or tow stories might be a little gruesome for those under 8 or 9. I know you will enjoy this book to.