Belinda and the Glass Slipper [Hardcover]

Amy Young (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2006 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

The celebrated Belinda is starring in Cinderella with the Metropolitan Ballet. But moments before showtime, her jealous rival, Miss Lola Mudge, locks Belinda in a closet in an attempt to steal the show! With the help of the Fairy Godmother, Belinda escapes, determined to recapture her role from the spotlight thief. Fortunately, only one person can fill those huge glass slippers—Belinda the ballerina! Belinda has already garnered critical acclaim, including a starred review from Publishers Weekly; Booklist declared her "instantly recognizable." Dancers of all shoe sizes will love this third charming tale with its droll illustrations and delightful sense of humor.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3–When Belinda wins the lead in the ballet Cinderella, her competitor, Miss Lola Mudge, is not happy. After all, Lola has the perfect-sized feet for the role, and she always gets what she wants. In a move worthy of an evil stepsister, she locks Belinda in a closet on opening night and takes over her part. But right before the ball scene, Belinda is rescued by the fairy godmother dancer and rejoins the production. The usurper continues to masquerade as Cinderella but there is no denying that the big glass slippers meant for Belinda will not fit her tiny feet. The heroine reclaims her rightful place on stage, and the thwarted girl quits dancing and finds her true calling as a hockey player. The illustrations give a real feel for the ballet while portraying the action and the characters' varied emotions. Young's third Belinda story is a highly enjoyable and original mix of the Cinderella fairy tale and ballet, and a true case of the shoe fitting.–Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Belinda, the lovable big-footed ballerina who premiered in Belinda the Ballerina (2002), encounters a rival as she tries out for the role of Cinderella: Miss Lola Mudge. Lola boasts that her "perfect, tiny feet" make her ideal for the lead, but she loses out to Belinda's superior skills and grace. On opening night, Lola locks Belinda in a broom closet and takes her place as Cinderella. With offstage help from her onstage fairy godmother, Belinda arrives in time for the prince to try the glass slipper on her foot. One thing is certain: no one but Belinda can fill her shoes. While the arc of the story is familiar, the droll text and the distinctive look of the gouache paintings, with their curved lines and elongated forms, will make this witty book a pleasure to read aloud. And since selfish and boastful people are as hard to live with in preschool as in a ballet company, even children who don't love ballet will enjoy seeing justice prevail. A witty picture book. Brava! Encore! Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (September 21, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670060828
• ISBN-13: 978-0670060825
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love Belinda!, January 4, 2007

By 

E. MacDonald (Wakefield, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belinda and the Glass Slipper (Hardcover)

We are fans of the whole series. In this most recent addition, Belinda takes the high road once again. Great story, great pictures and a great teaching tool. I recommend all of the Belinda books!

4.0 out of 5 stars Twist on a Classic Tale, November 18, 2008

By 

J. Blossey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Belinda and the Glass Slipper (Hardcover)

Belinda and the Glass slipper is great book, for young readers. It has excellent pictures, and the language makes it very easy to read. The book has conflict resolution aspects that could be discussed in the classroom. For example when Lola decides that she no longer want to be a Ballerina she becomes a Hockey Player, this could be used to teach children different ways to excel personally.

5.0 out of 5 stars If the shoe fits..., February 12, 2008

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Belinda and the Glass Slipper (Hardcover)

Wow! What a great combination of a Cinderella story and back-stage drama this story is. Young readers will adore following the adventure of the plucky ballerina with the too-big feet as she is cast in the lead role, much to the consternation of her rival, the evil Miss Lola Mudge.

Miss Lola Mudge might have the most perfect, tiny feet, but she sure doesn't know anything about honesty and fair play. Just like an evil step sister, she locks poor Belinda in a broom closet on the opening night of the ballet, and goes out on stage in her place. However, her scam is exposed when it's time to don the glass slipper made for Belinda's large feet, Belinda is released from the closet by the dancer who played the part of the fairy godmother -- and finishes the performance a grand success.

What becomes of Miss Lola Mudge? Well, she left ballet and found herself a job playing hockey. Justice prevails!

The fun is underscored by delightful illustrations, insuring that this book will be one of your child's favorite. Highly recommended!