Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella - Softcover

San Souci, Robert D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0689848889 ISBN 13: 9780689848889

Publisher: Aladdin, 2002

Synopsis

A Caldecott Honor author/illustrator team brings us a Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the perspective of the magical godmother.

You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you’ve never heard it for true.

Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man’s son, at first she doesn’t know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her—and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life.

Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.

About this title

From the Author

Robert D. San Souci is the critically acclaimed author of many popular books for young people. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Brian Pinkney has illustrated numerous acclaimed books for children, including Martin Rising; In Your Hands; On the Ball; The Faithful Friend; Duke Ellington; and In the Time of the Drums. His many awards include two Caldecott Honors, a Coretta Scott King Illustration Award, four Coretta Scott King Illustration Honors, and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award. Brian lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and frequent collaborator, Andrea Davis Pinkney. Visit him at BrianPinkney.net.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. There are many variations of the Cinderella story, and this version, set on the island of Martinique, is particularly vibrant, both in its melodious language and its spirited art. Collaborators San Souci and Pinkney, whose previous books include Sukey and the Mermaid (1992), have based their story on the French Creole tale, "Cendrillon." San Souci explains in an author's note that he has expanded the story and told it from the point of view of the godmother, a washerwoman who watches out for the lovely Cendrillon after her mother dies and her father remarries. The story follows the traditional lines, but always includes its own piquant touches. Breadfruit and lizards are turned into a coach and horses; and when the ugly stepdaughter tries on the slipper, the godmother calls out, "If you cut off those big toes, it would be a perfect fit!" Pinkney's artwork, executed in his signature style, is softened here by pinks, greens, and blues evoking the warm breezes of the islands. Flowers border some of the pictures and swirls of color add texture to the backgrounds. Even the pace of the story seems slowed by the setting. Perhaps that's why Pinkney uses every opportunity to infuse his pictures with action, whether it's Cendrillon being pulled out of the party by her godmother or sweeping across a dance floor when she finally dances with her bridegroom. A vital rendition of an old favorite. Ilene Cooper

About this edition

• Publisher: Aladdin
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0689848889
• ISBN 13: 9780689848889
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Pinkney Brian