A great message

books:

	• Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella Paul Fleischman Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2007 - 32 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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Glass Slipper

Fleischman, Paul. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Henry Holt and Company. 2007.

This is a unique and lovely presentation of the Cinderella story that incorporates distinct elements from many different cultures into one cohesive version. The mean stepmother is first a nice widow who gives the Cinderella character various treats like "pan dulce and sugarcane. The beautiful double spread that accompanies this plot element is full of yellow folk art figures that are presented on a bright orange background and in the left corner, is the name of the culture that is represented, in this case Mexico. The daughter who is never named encourages her father to marry this nice woman but later she recalls her action and says, " I picked up the scorpion with my own hand", this insightful comment is part of the Iraqi Cinderella story. In a series of three panels, the story connects how a Russian cow gives the girl some honey, an Iranian fairy gives "her figs and apricots", and an Indian "Godfather Snake" gives her rice. The distinctive gouache illustrations blend harmoniously, often a richly colored inset stands out from a muted background that is filled with cultural symbols. The inside cover pages display landmass outlines with the locations of the countries that are represented, and an author's note not only mentions that the first Cinderella story likely appeared in "ninth-century China but also acknowledges his use of Judy Sierra's book, Cinderella (Oryx Press, 1992)." All libraries will want a copy of this innovative version of a universal tale. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

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A great message

One of my graduate school instructors recommended this book to my classmates and I as future educators. I thought that it was a beautiful book, wonderfully illustrated, and contains a positive message about global mentality and unity. While the story remains similar to the popular Disney version, it is an excellent tool to show children how such a story can be represented in all parts of the world. I loved it, and definitely look forward to reading it to my students and own children some day.

Once upon a time, in Mexico . . . in Ireland . . . in Zimbabwe . . . there lived a girl who worked all day in the rice fields . . . then spent the night by the hearth, sleeping among the cinders.

Her name is Ashpet, Sootface, Cendrillon . . . Cinderella. Her story has been passed down the centuries and across continents. Now Paul Fleischman and Julie Paschkis craft its many versions into one hymn to the rich variety and the enduring constants of our cultures.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

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