Cinder Edna

Cinder Edna

author: Ellen Jackson

illustrator: Kevin O'Malley

Genre: Picture Book, Fractured Fairy Tale

Summary (from Goodreads):  The famous Cinderella and her neighbor Cinder Edna each worked sunup to sundown for their wicked stepmother and stepsisters. But while Cinderella had the good fortune to be rescued by her fairy godmother, Edna was strong, self-reliant, spunky--and she lived happier ever after! "Nicely executed....This Cinderella send-up is full of kid-pleasing jokes."--Publisher's Weekly.

Review:  I thought this book was really cute and clever, and I loved the message that ordinary girls who work hard and develop an action plan to follow their dreams will get their happily-ever-after.  My girls, on the other hand, did NOT like the fact that Cinderella was painted as helpless and boring, and that her prince was a dullard.  It was also a little too wordy for them, and they generally will sit and enjoy long books.  I would have given this 5 stars, but since it is written for children, I skewed the stars towards my children's perspective.

Rating: 3 stars