Young Adult Fiction: Cinderella Variant

Traditional Literature Review
LS 5603.20/Spring 2010
S. Vardell

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Jackson, Ellen. 1994. Cinder Edna. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. ISBN 068812322

PLOT SUMMARY:
Cinderella is a fairytale that has been told throughout the ages. The traditional Cinderella still sits in the ashes, is assisted by her Fairy Godmother, loses her glass slipper and marries her prince. While next door neighbor Cinder Edna, "who isn't much to look at", takes a different approach to her happily ever after. Each girl deals with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters yet, Cinder Edna, "cooks tuna casserole sixteen different ways and finds sitting in the ashes a silly waste of time". In contrast to the traditional Cinderella, independent Cinder Edna makes her own way to the ball. While each Cinderella attends the ball and meets herr own Prince Charming. Author Ellen Jackson in the conclusion, poses the question "Guess who lived happily ever after?".

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This parody of a traditional tale contrasts two young women. Set in more modern times, each Cinderella navigates through set backs, challenges and triumphs. The twist is in Edna's spunky, go getting attitude. The result is a version of the traditional tale that empowers young girls to make their own choices and find their own way. This book is a welcome contrast to the Cinderella of old.

Kevin O'Malley enhances Jackson's story with detailed color pencil drawings creatively interacting with the storie's text. This clever rendition is sure to be a favorite. No more is a heroin sitting in the ashes waiting for her prince to come; Cinder Edna is blazing her own path.

AWARDS WON AND REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Featured in Great Books For Girls by Kathleen Odean.
Chosen as a "children's favorite" by the children of Seattle,1997.
Children's Book Award Nominee in South Carolina and Colorado for 1996-97.
Children's Book Award Nominee in Nevada for 1997-98 and Pennsylvania for 1998-99.
Mentoring USA, Recommended Reading List.
Combined Awards-Recognized Standards Literature List, Indiana, 2000.

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY: Instead of glass slippers, Cinderella's neighbor Cinder Edna wears comfortable penny loafers to the ball, where she falls in love with the prince's goofy, tender-hearted younger brother. "Full of kid-pleasing jokes," said PW. Ages 5-up. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: ... O'Malley's full-page, full-color illustrations are exuberant and funny. Ella is suitably bubble-headed and self-absorbed while Edna is plain, practical, and bound to enjoy life. Kids will love this version of the familiar story for its humor and vibrant artwork. Buy two copies-one to circulate and the other to hoard for story hours. Susan Hepler, Alexandria City Public Schools, VA

CONNECTIONS
Cinderella Stories and Variants resource:
http://www.story-lovers.com/listscinderella%2Bstories.html

SurLaLune Fairy Tale Pages by Heidi Ann Heiner

http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/marianroalfecox/index.html

Main Page: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/

"The Annotated Cinderella" page: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/index.html

Lesson Plan Resource

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/cinderella.html#

Cinderella Movie list by Dart Worthy for Amazon.com