Customer Reviews

Cinderella: An Art Deco Love Story

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a divine book!
Not just for children. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the Cinderella tale and the deco period.

The illustrations are so incredibly charming and evocative, I'm going to buy a second book, tear out the pages and frame them.

Who is that 1920's vintage flapper, tripping down the stairs to zip off in her ultra-classy, very long white limousine? Why, it's Cinderella, leaving the ball at midnight, of course! No? Not quite the fairytale you had pictured all these years? That's just the idea behind David Roberts' wonderfully innovative illustrations of the traditional Cinderella story.
The story itself is not so different from the one we have all heard during our childhood. In fact, without the illustrations, this story gives no hint that it takes place during the glizty "roaring twenties," when champagne was sipped from ladies shoes, and...well, you get the picture.
With a background in fashion design, David Roberts has researched life in the 1920's and 1930's to bring quite a bit of accuracy to his illustrations. The wallpaper, furniture, and pottery are all based on actual Art Deco designs. The clothes, electrical appliances, cars, hairstyles, and makeup all reflect life eighty years ago. Cinderella pushes an old upright vacuum rather than broom, and turns the crank on a sinister-looking wringer washer as she does her step-sisters' laundry.
Roberts also uses a good sense of humor in presenting the step-sisters. Instead of evil, they're simply bad-natured slobs. While they do rob Cinderella of many possessions, she seems inclined to include them in her family after her marriage to the prince. The wedding photo with her step-sisters as bridesmaids is a classic. For models, Roberts called upon old magazine covers, movie stills, and art of the 1920's and 30's.
The rather unique setting in time of this version makes it a worthwhile addition to any Cinderella collection. While the story itself is not innovative, the illustrations more than make up for any shortcomings.

This is one of my Fav books! I love how it is set in the 1920's - my fav era! The vampy illustrations are so beautiful! I just love the attention that has been paid to making sure that all the furnishings and dresses are of the deco era! This book is a inspiration!

This really is a refreshing version of an old tale. If you are sick of the "disney" sickly sweet illustrations then this is the book for you. The story is basically cinderella with a few minor changes accompanied by wonderfully detailed illustrations. This is a real pleasure to read. Highly recommended for kids aged 4-8 and parents who are fond of anything art deco!

My daughter is crazy about all of the books Lynn Roberts has written. My daughter is completely engaged. And the pictures are so beautiful that it is a pleasure for me to read them.

Roberts offers a cute and off-the-wall take on classic stories. And there is something fun for everyone in them. The only reason I gave this book only 4 stars is because the other Lynn Roberts books we own (Little Red and Rapunzel) are even better!