Author: Susan Meredith
Publisher: Rocking Chair Publications
ISBN: 978-0-9842866

Click Here To Purchase CinderElla: A new, kinder, gentler telling of a fairy tale classic

CinderElla is a “new, kinder, gentler” telling of the classic Cinderella fairy tale.  Written with the grandparent approved seal, the book has no scary stuff and is full of tickles and giggles as it puts its own spin on the classic story of Cinderella and her prince, featuring an enchanted pair of shoes that love to dance. It is quite different from the classic fairy tale story of Cinderella, as  it strives to remain positive in all aspects.  Ella loses her mom from disease at a young age but not before realizing how much she is loved and valued.  Her father eventually marries again but not to an evil stepmother.  The stepmother tries to help Ella become more lady like.  Her stepsisters are not mean but are very self centered and greedy. 

The book focuses on teaching positive manners and behaviors while discouraging the negative.  When Ella meets her prince everyone lives happily ever after while learning the lesson “good things come to those who wait” and “Be content with what you have”.

While I personally feel there is nothing scary about the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, I also enjoyed this version.  The book encourages values and life lessons such as kindness, sharing, honesty, manners, courage and strength.  These are lesson every child should learn.  Ella learns that beauty comes from within and is not self centered or greedy, she just tries to be kind and helpful to others. I wouldn’t choose to replace the classic with this rendition, nonetheless I did like the story this book told. 

The book is full of vocabulary words that are underlined and defined in the back.  I thought this was an interesting and unique touch.  I would recommend this book for children ages two to eight years old, especially those children who may scare easily.  This Gram’s Fairy Tale is sure to bring only tickles and giggles to your child as promised.