Genre 2 Traditional Literature: Cinderella variant

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
San Souci, Robert D. 1998. CENDRILLON: A CARIBBEAN CINDERELLA. Ill. by Brian Pinkney. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689848889

2. PLOT SUMMARY
San Souci and Pinkney collaborate for this Cinderella variation, set on the Caribbean island of Martinique. Told from the godmother's perspective, with pepperings of French Creole, this version incorporates, but alters somewhat, the traditional elements of a Cinderella story. The godmother, a poor washerwoman, is left a magic wand, and discovers she has the power to help her goddaughter. Cendrillon's mother dies, and Cendrillon is forced into a miserable life of servitude for her mean stepmother and stepsister. The godmother evokes magic from her wand to transform many objects for the ball, including turning breadfruit and agoutis (rodents) into a coach and horses. In traditional Cinderella fashion, the lost slipper fits only Cendrillon, the prince loves her for who she is, and they are married in a lavish wedding.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story utilizes many traditional elements found in folktales, such as single-faceted characters who are either good or evil. The plot is satisfying and logically sequential. The story also lends itself to being read orally,and magic elements and transformations are successfully incorporated into the style. Pinkney's vibrant, overflowing scratchboard, luma dies, gouache, and oil paints with their rich, colorful hues, and many beautiful borders encompass the text. This story should have a wide appeal to young listeners who will enjoy a different Cinderella variant from another culture.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "The result is an outstanding Cinderella variant for any collection."
BOOKLIST: "A vital rendition of an old favorite."

5. CONNECTIONS
* Compare and contrast this Cinderella version to other Cinderella variants.
Look to compare such things as:
Cinderella's name
Prince Charming
Fairy Godmother
Country of origin
Are magical numbers used?
How does good triumph over evil?
Are there lessons or morals to each story?
* Look on a globe to see where other Cinderella variations take place.
* Have students write their own Cinderella story, perhaps taking place in another time or place.
* Other Cinderella variations include:
THE ROUGH-FACE GIRL by Rafe Martin, illus. by David Shannon. ISBN 06898116267
SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY by Robert D. San Souci, illus. by Daniel San Souci. ISBN 044041363X
BIGFOOT CINDERRRRRELLA by Tony Johnston, illus. by James Warhola. 0698118715
PRINCE CINDERS by Babette Cole. ISBN 0698115546