Cinderlily: A Floral Fairy Tale - Hardcover

Ellwand, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763623288 ISBN 13: 9780763623289

Publisher: Candlewick, 2003

Synopsis

Where have all the flowers gone? They’re dancing up a storm in this whimsical, wondrous rendition of a well-known fairy tale, created by the one and only David Ellwand.

For hours beneath the velvet sky they dance without a care,
Until the clock chimes midnight . . . then she’s no longer there!
Just a single lily petal and her fragrance in the air.

One magic night, a poor cinder girl is granted an impossible wish. It may be the most familiar of tales, but under the inimitable wand of David Ellwand, this timeless story blooms as never before. Here, the innocent heroine is a delicate flower, a lily whose faded petals spring to new life as she arrives at the Sultan’s ball in a butterfly-drawn coach. When the smitten Prince sets out in search of the shy, retiring flower who has vanished into thin air, leaving but a petal behind, it’s clear that Cinderlily’s comically garish, pansy-faced stepsisters won’t stand a chance.

With singular vision, humor, and a touch of computer magic, David Ellwand directs a delightfully expressive cast of flowers in a breathtaking production sure to enchant lovers of fairy tales - and lovers of flowers, too.

About this title

About the Author

Christine Tagg says, "I have always loved the idea of giving a traditional fairy tale an unusual twist, and when I first saw David’s amazing theatrical flower pictures I knew this was the perfect opportunity to let my imagination bloom! Gardening will never be the same again." The author of METAL MUTZ!, also illustrated by David Ellwand, she lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her daughter, two cats, two mice, and ten guinea pigs.
David Ellwand is the creator and photographer of FAIRIE-ALITY: THE FASHION COLLECTION FROM THE HOUSE OF ELLWAND, a spectacular and award-winning book of fashions for fairies. Previously he collaborated with Christine Tagg on METAL MUTZ!, a pop-up book of clever dog sculptures that were first constructed out of scrap metal and then photographed. Of CINDERLILY, he says, "This book is the realization of a vision I had about five years ago, informed by many years of photographing flowers, the continuing use of natural materials in my work, and the marvels of modern computer technology. All the poses are based on actual ballet and gymnastic moves - Cinderlily’s jumps are based on the great Olga Korbut!

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this visually intriguing twist on the traditional tale, Ellwand has replaced the human protagonists with flowers. Using Adobe Photoshop, he has arranged lilies, pansies, tulips, roses, and other petals in graceful poses against stark black backgrounds. While the pictures are technically well executed, it is unlikely they will engender other than a passing interest in children. Tagg's text, written in reasonably well-rhymed couplets, is thin on plot, character development, and imagery. In addition, the alterations she makes in the original tale are incongruous. The prince has become a Sultan, but nonetheless the "band strikes up a waltz" at his Royal Autumn Ball. The fonts, which change frequently in an apparent attempt to match the action of the story, are often hard to read, particularly when placed against those black backgrounds. For a more effective use of natural objects as characters, stay with Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffer's How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods (Scholastic, 1999).
Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0763623288
• ISBN 13: 9780763623289
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Tagg Christine