Cabbage Rose - Softcover

Helldorfer, M.C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1481421565 ISBN 13: 9781481421560

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013

Synopsis

Mocked by her brothers, who call her plain, Cabbage Rose falls in love with a handsome prince, but she must overcome her feelings of inferiority to have her dreams come true.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly:

With her latest story, Helldorfer ( The Mapmaker's Daughter ) establishes herself at the forefront of what seems to be a growing breed of fairy tales featuring strong, independent young women. The heroine here is a taciturn girl who works for her loutish brothers--who dub her "Cabbage" for her plain face--and retreats into her artwork. One night, a magician gives her a wonder-working paintbrush; now, everything Cabbage paints becomes real. Her demanding siblings set her to work rendering finery for themselves, but the girl escapes to ply her trade (with her own brush, not the magic one) in the king's city. She falls in love with the prince and, in a classic case of low self-esteem, uses her magic brush to paint a new face for herself on the mirror, that of an elegant lady. She has misjudged her prince, however; the loyal lad rejects the superficially lovely replacement, telling her that he desires only Cabbage Rose, "for the world is plain without her." Helldorfer's fluid prose is buoyed by Downing's lush watercolors, a series of luminous pages that chronicle Cabbage's blossoming life and talent. The clear-cut message here--the importance of valuing one's true worth--is especially timely in today's image-conscious society. Though certainly of value to boys (kudos to the prince for not judging a book by its cover), this is a particularly empowering book for girls. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

The author of several original tales creates another strong female protagonist: a gifted young artist so plain that her brothers call her ``Cabbage.'' When a passing magician gives her a brush that makes whatever she depicts become real, Cabbage's greedy brothers demand one luxury after another; so Cabbage paints a window, escapes through it, and is soon known for her (magic-free) art and summoned to the palace, where the prince comes to value her for herself (it's he who adds ``Rose'')--as Cabbage realizes only after using the brush, one last time, to paint her mirrored self as conventionally pretty. Helldorfer's conversion of old patterns to new meanings is moderately successful: her intentions are obvious, but the story reads well and the outcome is at least somewhat unforeseen. With sturdy forms and a mannered style, Downing's double-spread watercolors are a little busy but well constructed. Cabbage is more robust than her beautiful alter ego, but not really plain; it's too bad Downing misses the chance to show an ordinary face transformed by a happy smile. A little earnest, but interesting and visually attractive. (Picture book. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1481421565
• ISBN 13: 9781481421560
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32