The National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Wrote a Rumpelstiltskin Retelling — See the Cover! (Exclusive)

Mac Barnett is putting his own spin on a "story people have been telling for centuries" — and he's doing it alongside a bestselling illustrator, too.

The New York Times bestselling children's book author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is now preparing for the release of Rumpelstiltskin — the second title in his series of reworked fairytales. And it has plenty to offer fans of the classic story.

“As the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, my focus is on celebrating the picture book, which I think is one of the great American art forms," Barnett tells PEOPLE of his two-year term.

"The best picture books contain great writing and beautiful illustrations, but because they’re usually read out loud by adults, picture books also have roots in the oral storytelling tradition," he adds. "Rumpelstiltskin is a story people have been telling for centuries, and with our version, Carson and I tried to make a picture book that adults will love sharing aloud, and kids will love hearing.”

PEOPLE can exclusively reveal the book's cover — which depicts the titular creature striking a pose atop a pile of straw. Of course, the story famously follows Rumpelstiltskin offering to help (but really, trick) a girl who is tasked with spinning straw into gold, before he gets outwitted himself.

As Carson Ellis, the book's award-winning illustrator, tells PEOPLE, the fairytale has "endured centuries" because it is simply "a great story."

"[It's] the tale of a magical impish villain, a mistreated maiden and her ultimate revenge," she says. "I love Mac’s retelling of it, by turns funny and somber. It was a joy to illustrate. I'm a lover of all things medieval and Rumpelstiltskin gave me an opportunity to immerse myself in that world.”

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The book marks the second in Barnett's retelling releases, following 2022's The Three Billy Goats Gruff, which featured illustrative work from Jon Klassen and became a bestseller.

Ellis' folk-art style for Rumpelstiltskin follows her previous efforts such as Home and Du Iz Tak? and her past work with Barnett on What Is Love?. She also is the resident illustrator of her husband Colin Meloy’s band, The Decemberists — with fans recognizing her work on album covers and other materials.

Rumpelstiltskin arrives on Feb. 3, 2026 via Scholastic and is available for preorder now, wherever books are sold.