spiderfelt's review against another edition
5.0
I love a good fairytale retelling, especially one that addresses a story I’ve always found problematic. There’s a line at the end of this book that I’ve thought of often in the weeks since reading it. Loving a person fully means helping them to be their best self, enabling them to embrace their true nature. I’m paraphrasing because the book is not at hand currently, but the point is still there. Borrow a copy from the library and then buy a few to give as gifts.
alexisphos's review against another edition
2.0
in realtà mi aspettavo un saggio e mi sono ritrovatə nella fiaba riscritta in chiave femminista. Molto carina come idea!
qgg's review against another edition
5.0
This book is really well done.
The art is silhouettes by Arthur Rackham. The artist died 80 years ago, but the artwork is dynamic, gorgeous and reminds me of some modern papercut artwork.
Rebecca Solnit’s take on the classic fairytale is sweetly told. Cinderella has to sleep in the kitchen and do all of the chores because her stepmother believes that the world doesn’t have enough for everyone. Cinderella likes that her ratty dress and bare feet mean she can play with dogs and climb trees and make messy cakes. She likes running errands and meeting farmers and neighbors and learning to bake. She doesn’t like missing out making friends and playing with kids just to clean for others.
Cinderella asks for help and then collaborates with her fairy godmother. At the end of the ball, the now horses, coachwoman and footwomen get to decide if they want to change back into mice, a rat and lizards. All choices are deemed valid. When the prince finds Cinderella, they talk about their dreams and become friends.
Cinderella opens a bakery by herself and wears sturdy boots. She feeds and finds housing for orphaned and immigrant children who come to town. Everything comes full circle in a satisfying wayz I love that the heroine gets to be a heroine for more than acting like a doormat and marrying well.
The art is silhouettes by Arthur Rackham. The artist died 80 years ago, but the artwork is dynamic, gorgeous and reminds me of some modern papercut artwork.
Rebecca Solnit’s take on the classic fairytale is sweetly told. Cinderella has to sleep in the kitchen and do all of the chores because her stepmother believes that the world doesn’t have enough for everyone. Cinderella likes that her ratty dress and bare feet mean she can play with dogs and climb trees and make messy cakes. She likes running errands and meeting farmers and neighbors and learning to bake. She doesn’t like missing out making friends and playing with kids just to clean for others.
Cinderella asks for help and then collaborates with her fairy godmother. At the end of the ball, the now horses, coachwoman and footwomen get to decide if they want to change back into mice, a rat and lizards. All choices are deemed valid. When the prince finds Cinderella, they talk about their dreams and become friends.
Cinderella opens a bakery by herself and wears sturdy boots. She feeds and finds housing for orphaned and immigrant children who come to town. Everything comes full circle in a satisfying wayz I love that the heroine gets to be a heroine for more than acting like a doormat and marrying well.
sjklass's review against another edition
4.0
Formatted like a picture book but with much more text. Fun enough for a read-aloud to younger kids (with a fairy godmother, mice, lizards and pies) and substance enough for older kids / adults to enjoy too.
Referring to the stepsisters - “they weren’t very happy because they were worried that someone might have higher hair or more bows that they did. Which, probably, someone did. Usually someone does.” And this passage that follows is such a good message. “But there isn’t actually a most beautiful person in the world, because there are so many kinds of beauty. Some people love roundness and softness and other people love sharp edges and strong muscles. Some people like thick hair like a lion’s mane, and other people like thin hair that pours down like a waterfall, and some people love someone so much they forget what they look like. Some people think the night sky full of stars at midnight is the most beautiful thing imaginable, some people think it’s a forest in snow, and some people....Well, there are a lot of people with a lot of ideas about beauty. And love. When you love someone a lot, they just look like love.” 💖
Referring to the stepsisters - “they weren’t very happy because they were worried that someone might have higher hair or more bows that they did. Which, probably, someone did. Usually someone does.” And this passage that follows is such a good message. “But there isn’t actually a most beautiful person in the world, because there are so many kinds of beauty. Some people love roundness and softness and other people love sharp edges and strong muscles. Some people like thick hair like a lion’s mane, and other people like thin hair that pours down like a waterfall, and some people love someone so much they forget what they look like. Some people think the night sky full of stars at midnight is the most beautiful thing imaginable, some people think it’s a forest in snow, and some people....Well, there are a lot of people with a lot of ideas about beauty. And love. When you love someone a lot, they just look like love.” 💖
bookishauntysteph's review against another edition
3.0
This was a cute retelling of Cinderella with pleasing illustrations and a clear message.
I liked the sentiments in the book and some of the reworked aspects of the story were the ones that I found most problematic with it originally. My issue was in the tone. It somewhat reproduced that classic 'once upon a time style' but it seemed mildly patronising, even for children and fairly pushy. It felt more focused on the narrator than the story in places. I like modern kids' books to have lots of room to check concept and stretch children and this just wasn't quite pitched at the right level for me. It was difficult to tell who this was really aimed at.
I liked the sentiments in the book and some of the reworked aspects of the story were the ones that I found most problematic with it originally. My issue was in the tone. It somewhat reproduced that classic 'once upon a time style' but it seemed mildly patronising, even for children and fairly pushy. It felt more focused on the narrator than the story in places. I like modern kids' books to have lots of room to check concept and stretch children and this just wasn't quite pitched at the right level for me. It was difficult to tell who this was really aimed at.
shireybear09's review against another edition
4.0
“Nobody’s good or valuable because their patents are. Whether their parents are wonderful or terrible. They are as good or valuable in their own words and deeds.”
disasterchick's review against another edition
2.0
I think I was expecting more than a feminist retelling of Cinderella. Cinderella changed her life and others without having a real moment. Does going to a ball make that much difference? Just seemed lacking and it tried too hard.