Cinderella (Caldecott Award Winner)
- Book Review,
by Charles Perrault
Amazon.com
In this kinder, gentler version of the old French fairy tale, the poor cinderwench forgives her stepsisters in the end and gives them a home in her palace. This Cinderella is pretty, but not perfect, and instead of having the tiniest feet in the kingdom, she in fact has wide feet (which fit the glass slipper nonetheless). From the details of the ball gowns to the trees of jewels glittering at the palace, Susan Jeffers's glowing, imaginative artwork is breathtaking. Jeffers has illustrated many fairy tales, as well as the popular McDuff books. With pen and ink and brilliant colors, she creates paintings of exquisite detail and clarity, wonderfully showcased by this book's large format and abundant full-page illustrations. The magical transformation of Cinderella into a beautiful princess never fails to capture the imagination of young ones, and this lovely edition is sure to be a hit. (Ages 5 to 7)
From Publishers Weekly
Elegant paintings of a cavernous castle and an enchanted countryside distinguish this retelling of the transformed maiden. Ages 5-8. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4 Lovely marbled endpapers introduce yet another "Cinderella." Goode's translation informalizes the text somewhat, losing the sense of a time long ago and a place far away. However, the plot remains intact, including the moral venerating innner beauty, which would have had more impact if Goode's Cinderella, soon to become Princess, didn't look so smug in the last two illustrations. The illustrations, set in 17th-Century France, contain all of the elements necessary for a successful Cinderella. Her ballgown is beautiful, lusher and more spectacular than her stepsisters' or the other guests. The transformation scenes, especially the lizard into footman, are visually satisfying. The bright watercolors add the proper sparkle, and attention is not drawn away from the main characters by distracting borders or designs. Young readers will be pleased with this edition (especially if it is accompanied by the cassette recorded by Jessica Lange), but scholars will continue to prefer Dore (Perrault's Fairy Tales Dover, 1969) or Le Cain (Cinderella: or, the Little Glass Slipper Penguin, 1977). Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public LibraryCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
From the plump pumpkins on the endpapers, to the shifty-eyed stepmother and Cinderella's vibrant ball gown, Koopmans' delicate watercolors provide yet another visual rendering of the familiar tale. Bell's smooth translation follows the traditional story. As Cinderella rides to the palace, her coach radiates light, and Cinderella herself is a blaze of color in her vibrant yellow gown in the brightly lit ballroom. The art lacks Marcia Brown's strong line, Diane Goode's distinctive facial expressions, James Marshall's rumpled goofiness, and Susan Jeffers' graceful elegance, but it is unusual in one respect. Instead of a maidenly Cinderella and manly prince, both protagonists are portrayed as prepubescent children. This unusual interpretation, which will charm some and disturb others, is best suited for larger collections. Linda Perkins
From Kirkus Reviews
Perrault's ancient tale of Cinderella has been slimmed and toned down considerably, with her virtues less evident and the supporting cast less effective. Readers will wonder why Cinderella's father, who is not conveniently dead in this story, doesn't rally to her aid, but they will be otherwise enchanted by Koopmans's delicate illustrations. One good French touch comes at dinner; the prince is so besotted that ``even when the most delicious dishes were served for supper, he could not eat a morsel.'' (Picture book/folklore. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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