CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA by Susan Lowell
Lowell, Susan. 2000. CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA. Ill by Jane Manning.
New York: Harper Collins. ISBN: 0060274476.
In the book CINDY ELLEN: A WILD WESTERN CINDERELLA, author Susan Lowell creates a western themed version of the children's classic. Cindy Ellen is a spunky cowgirl who lives and works on a ranch owned by her father. She is a spirited character who always does an honest day's work. Unfortunately, her father married a woman who was the "orneriest woman west of the Mississippi." Cindy's two step sisters didn't act any better than their mother. When the local cattle king invites the family to a rodeo and square dance, poor Cindy Ellen isn't allowed to go. That is until she meets her fairy godmother. The fairy godmother works her western magic on Cindy Ellen and sends her off to the rodeo in sparkling new duds. At the rodeo, Cindy Ellen meets Joe Prince and displays for him her cowgirl prowess.
The next night Cindy Ellen is transported to the square dance in a magic stagecoach driven by a team of cactus mice. When she arrived at the dance she began dancing with Joe Prince. "Twirling, swirling, Cindy Ellen lost track of time until all at once she heard the clock begin to strike twelve. She hightailed it out of there lickety-split!" But, as Cindy Ellen ran home she accidentally lost one of the diamond spurs from her boots. Joe Prince found the spur and set off to find his dream cowgirl. Cowgirls from all around got the opportunity to try on the spur for Joe Prince, but none of them had boots that fit the spur. Nobody did, except for Cindy Ellen. At last Joe Prince puts the spur on Cindy Ellen's boot and they live happily ever after "in a ranch house full of love and rodeo trophies."
I read the story to my niece, who is five years old and she loved the story. She loved it so much, in fact, that I ended up reading it to her four times over the course of a day. Libby laughed and clapped as I read the story to her. She was enchanted by the illustrations. I don't think she would have enjoyed the story as much without them.
The author accomplished her goal of creating a western themed Cinderella story that still had touches of the classic version. The characters were easy to relate to. Everyone will feel the sorrow of poor Cindy Ellen's life before she meets her fairy godmother and her life changes. The fairy godmother in this book is a rough and rowdy version of the godmother in Cinderella. Her character has some of the best lines in the story. Each page contained numerous words and illustrations related to life in the west. The author's style of writing in the story made it fun to read this new version of an old classic. The bold illustrations added to the mood of the story with their bright colors and action filled pages. This book is an example of taking something old, changing it a bit, and making it seem new again. This adaptation is sure to please young readers interested in the Cinderella story or the Wild West. Mosey on down to the library and lasso a copy of it.
IN A DARK, DARK ROOM retold by Alvin Schwartz
Schwartz, Alvin. 1984. IN A DARK, DARK ROOM. Ill. by Dirk Zimmer. New York: Harper Collins.
ISBN: 0060252715.
The book IN A DARK, DARK ROOM written by Alvin Schwartz is a collection of spooky short stories sure to entertain young and old alike. In the foreword of the book the author lets readers know his feelings about scary stories,
"Most of us like scary stories because we like feeling scared. When there is no real danger, feeling scared is fun." It was important that he made that statement because it reinforced to young readers that the stories are just for fun and nothing to feel truly scared about. There are seven short chapters in the book. Each chapter features a different spooky tale. This review will focus on two of the stories, IN A DARK, DARK ROOM and THE NIGHT IT RAINED, from the book.
THE NIGHT IT RAINED tells the tale of a man driving late at night who comes upon a young boy named Jim standing in the rain next to the cemetery. The man offers the boy a ride home. While the boy was in his car the man offered the boy his sweater to keep him warm. When the man drops the boy off at his house he tells the boy to keep the sweater and that he will pick it up tomorrow. What the man later finds out from the boy's mother is that he died the previous year. The next day the man goes to the cemetery and fins the boy's grave. Lying on top of his grave is the man's sweater! This tale is one of mystery and intrigue. Readers will be shocked as the story unfolds. The author did an excellent job of creating a suspenseful story. The illustrations in the story are dark and shadowy, adding to the element of mystery in the story. The expressions on the characters faces show their emotion and give clues to what is happening even before readers look at the text. This is a story that children will enjoy because the storyline is engaging and spooky at the same time.
The story IN A DARK, DARK ROOM is a wonderful example of a story that encourages children to join in and read the story as a group. The repetitive text makes it easier for children to understand and enjoy the sequence of events in the story, "In a dark, dark wood, there was a dark, dark house. And in that dark, dark house, there was a dark, dark room." As the story unfolds readers will learn that in the room there is a ghost living in "a dark, dark box". As with other stories in the book the illustrations add a great deal to the story. The story would not be as suspenseful without them. The pictures are dark and shadowy, just looking at them makes the story seem spooky. This is a story that young readers will enjoy because they will be able to join in the reading and actively participate in the story. IN A DARK, DARK ROOM could easily be adapted and used with reader's theatre activities.
The book IN A DARK, DARK ROOM is full of fun and spooky tales that children will want to read time and time again. The writing and illustration in the book go hand in hand to make this book one that all classrooms and libraries should have. There is also background information on each individual story at the back of the book. It is interesting to learn the origins of these spooky stories.
THE FROG PRINCE CONTINUED by Jon Scieszka
Scieszka, Jon. 1991. THE FROG PRINCE CONTINUED. Ill. by Steve Johnson. New York: Viking.
ISBN: 0670834211.
In the book THE FROG PRINCE CONTINUED, author Jon Scieszka enlightens young readers as to what really happened after the princess kissed the frog. The tale has humorous twists that even the youngest reader will enjoy. Needless to say, the pair was not living happily ever after. Each of them has habits that make the other one very unhappy. They longed for the past spark of their relationship. The two had become complacent in their everyday lives. The princess angrily told the prince, "It might be nice if you got out of the castle once in a while to slay a dragon or giant or whatever." She even told him that she wished he was still a frog. That remark gave the frog an idea and he sat off in search of a witch to turn him into a frog again.
Thus begins the prince's journey through the forest. Along the way he meets numerous witches and asks them to turn him into a frog. But, something strange is going on. Suddenly, all of the witches seem familiar. The prince finds himself conversing with witches from different fairy tales. None of them will turn him into a frog, but would be more than happy to entice him with one of their magic tricks. The witch from Snow White even offered him one of her special apples. Thankfully, the prince knows the storylines of all of the fairy tales and manages to escape the evil witches. Finally, the prince meets the fairy godmother from Cinderella and thinks his problem will be solved. She agrees to help him, but accidentally turns him into a frog carriage. The poor prince thinks his luck will never change, that is until the clock strikes twelve...........
Scieszka hit the bulls- eye with this charming "sequel" to the original story. Readers will be drawn into this comical look at life among the prince and princess. Including characters from other fairy tales only adds to the wit and appeal of the storyline. The author's humor is what makes this book special. The illustrations are wonderfully drawn. The style and dark shading of the illustrations go along perfectly with the theme of the book. It might have been nice if the illustrations at the end of the story (when life for the couple became good again) became bright and lively.
I can't believe that I had never previously read this book. What a comical look at the "real world" of fairy tales. It would be a good learning aid to use with a fairy tale unit. In fact, I plan to purchase it for that use. Jon Scieszka has charmed me once again.
THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS by Jon Scieszka
Scieszka, Jon. 1989. THE TRUE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. Ill. by Lane Smith. New York: Viking. ISBN: 0670827592
For those readers that have always wanted to hear the other side of the story of the THREE LITTLE PIGS, author Jon Scieszka has created a witty story that will present the wolf's views on what really happened.
The story begins with the wolf introducing himself and explaining his situation. He only went to the first little pig's house to borrow a cup of sugar so he could make cake for his granny. When he arrived at the pig's straw house he had to sneeze and unfortunately he blew the house down with the pig inside of it. He thought it would be a waste to leave a "perfectly good ham dinner lying there in the straw." So, he ate the little pig and went on to search for his cup of sugar at the second little pig's house. This little pig had made his house out of sticks and when he grabbed the door to open it out came another sneeze. Once gain, he blew the house down with the little pig dead inside of it. He felt there was nothing else to do but eat again so that the food would not spoil. He was still left with the problem of getting sugar for the cake, so he went to the third little pigs house. This little big had made his house out of brick. This time when he accidentally sneezed the house didn't blow down. Instead the third little pig yelled insults about the wolf's granny through the door. The wolf couldn't stand anyone insulting his granny, so he set out to break down the door. As he was doing this the cops pulled up. The wolf felt that he was innocent in the deaths of the other little pigs and was framed by the local newspaper, The Daily Pig.
My niece Libby thought the book was hilarious. She is a big fan of the original version of the story and this book really tickled her. After I had finished reading the story she told me that she thought the wolf was lying. She also felt she had to inform me that she thought he just made up this story to get out of jail.
Children and adults alike will enjoy reading the wolf's side of the story. The author did a wonderful job of creating a new story out of an old one while adjusting some of the original story elements. The illustrations in the book are truly magical. The illustrator used the right shades and style to complement the story. The inclusion of the Daily Pig Newspaper was a genius idea. This book is a must have for all libraries and classrooms. It could easily be adapted for elementary and middle school use.