James Marshall's Cinderella retold by Barbara Karlin

A. Bibliography

Karlin, Barabara. 2001. JAMES MARSHALL'S CINDERELLA. Ill. by James Marshall. New York, NY: Dial. ISBN# 0-8037-2730-5.

B. Plot Summary

Cinderella is forced to do all the housework and take care of her stepsisters. The prince is looking for a wife so he holds a ball where all the maidens of the land are invited, including the two evil stepsisters. Cinderella has an opportunity to attend the ball as well, however, no one recognizes her. The prince falls in love at the ball and has to try to find her later.

C. Critical Analysis

Karlin's version of Cinderella stays close to the original version with a few exceptions such as the fairy godmother using two lizards to make footmen and that Cinderella moved her family into the house with her and the prince. While the story is familiar, some of the words might be too difficult for the very early reader to be able to read on their own. However, they would enjoy listening and following along with this humorous version.

Marshall's illustrations are cartoon-like and very colorful. The use of watercolor and ink was creative and effective in giving the illusion of various shades. The illustrations tell the story in such a way that beginning readers would be able to retell the story by looking at the pictures.

This version is easier on the good versus evil story unlike in the original version. Karlin's version is great for those who would like to teach compassion for others and how to deal with challenging family members.

D. Review Excerpt

Treasure State Award, 1992 nominee

Children's Literature stated, "The intolerable personalities of the stepsisters and stepmother are humorously rendered, while the good-natured fairy godmother and buck-tooth mice offer the heroine much-needed comfort. Young readers will appreciate James Marshall's whimiscal illustrations and Barbara Karlin's brisk and witty narrative."

School Library Journal (starred review) says, "Retold and illustrated with wit and humor, this is an excellent version of th favorite fairy tale."

E. Connections

*Make a chart of the differences and similarities in versions of the Cinderella stories. Let the class select a favorite version and act out the story.

*On a map of the world, find the countries or geographic areas where the Cinderella stories where the class has read are based.

*Other versions of Cinderella stories :

Climo, Shirley. THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA. ISBN 0-690-04822-x.

Minters, Frances. CINDER-ELLY. ISBN 0-670-84417-9.