Cinderella

Cinderella is kind and good, but her stepsisters are vain and cruel. She is forced to sleep on a straw pallet, while her stepsisters sleep in fine beds. One day the prince gives a ball and Cinderella longs to go. But her stepsisters laugh at her, and she spends all her time making them look beautiful. Her godmother, however, is a fairy and may just give Cinderella what she wishes -- provided she is home by midnight.

This lovely version of Perrault's Cinderella was Marcia Brown's first (of three!) Caldecott medal wins. She was no stranger to the medal, having won the honor medal no less than six times prior to this book.

Marcia Brown's Cinderella is kind and good despite all provocation, and remains kind to her stepsisters even in her good fortune, even bringing them to the palace at the end. This is no vindictive Cinderella. The main antagonists are the stepsisters, not the stepmother. Her father is not dead, merely foolish. The dreamy pastel palette and watercolors perfectly complement this gentler retelling of the story.

Review by Lauren Shearer Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.

Review by Lauren Shearer
Lauren Shearer writes words for fun and profit. She also makes films, but everyone knows you can't make a profit doing that. Her other hobby is consistently volunteering way too much of her time. You can read more of her reviews here.