Cendrillon : A Caribbean Cinderella (Hardcover)

~ Robert D. San Souci (Author), Brian Pinkney (Illustrator) "I live on a green-green island in the so-blue Mer des Antilles, the Caribbean Sea..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"You may think you know this story I am going to tell you, but you have not heard it for true," begins the washerwoman and unlikely godmother who narrates this spirited retelling. From the team behind The Faithful Friend comes an adaptation of a Creole tale that recasts familiar elements into the fashions and customs of the colonial West Indies. There is the haughty stepmother Prosperine, "puffed-up proud because her grandfather had come from France," the godmother who taps a breadfruit with a mahogany wand and transforms it into a carriage, and Cendrillon, who escapes at midnight with one pink slipper embroidered with roses. Pinkney's oil and scratchboard illustrations burst with vigorous movement as he captures the exotic palette and the lush textures of the "green-green island in the so-blue Mer des Antilles." The lyrical cadences of the text spattered with French and Creole words combine with the sensuous paintings to bring the tropics to life. However, the story's charm lies not in the well-matched Caribbean bride and groom or in the (rather predictable) happy ending, but in the authentic voice of the godmother. Her affection for the kind Cendrillon inspires her bold and selfless acts to ensure the happiness of another (and her quirky foibles prove equally appealing as she indulges in bowl after bowl of chocolate sherbet while proudly watching the couple's nuptials). Through this colorful and deeply human godmother, readers witness the enduring power of love. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the godmother's point of view and brought to life by Pinkney's distinctive scratchboard illustrations. Based on West Indian versions of the story, the narrative is full of French Creole words and phrases. It tells of a poor washerwoman who is left a magic wand by her mother and discovers its power to help her beloved goddaughter. A fruit a pain (breadfruit) is transformed into the coach; six agoutis (a kind of rodent) become the horses; and Cinderella's slippers are bright pink with roses embroidered on them. Pinkney's art perfectly conveys the lush beauty and atmosphere of the island setting, featuring vibrant peaches, lavenders, aquas, and greens against the background of the sea. Frames of native greenery, shells, exotic blossoms, and small creatures are interwoven around most of the text, integrating it with the story's scenes to excellent effect. The result is an outstanding Cinderella variant for any collection.
Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068980668X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689806681
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 10 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,012,786 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars With a sense of humor and a bit of sarcasm San Souci brings to life this...., June 11, 2007

By	Jill Griffin "teacher" (Boston, Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella (Paperback)

Author, Robert D. San Souci uses a touch of sarcasm in his voice as he retells this Caribbean version of Cinderella. The sarcasm adds an element of humor and makes this rendition more appealing to young readers. Teachers and readers can use an index in the back of the book to explain the Creole words in the story. The large number of Creole words helps to authenticate this story. There are many similarities between the Caribbean version of Cinderella and Disney's. The nanny uses a magical wand to change a breadfruit into a gilded coach. The breadfruit resembles a small pumpkin except for the fact that the breadfruit grows on a tree instead of a vine. The only main differences between this retelling of Cinderella is that there is only one stepsister,the glass slipper is a pink embroidered slipper, and the godmother is a wacky nanny with a sense of humor. The illustrator uses scratchboard, luma dyes, goache, and oil paints to create these magical illustrations for this wonderful picture book. By Jill Griffin 6 10, 2007

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cendrillon is a great book, December 7, 2004

A Kid's Review

Cendrillon, by Robert D. San Souci is a great book for kids.
Cendrillon is the caribean version of cinderella.Cendrillon's mother dies and she is handed over to her god mother.The god mother has the wand of manogany,wich can change things into another.
Cendrillon is a lot like cinderella and it is a great book.I liked it a lot.The book has a lot of detail and i thout it was funny when one of the step sisters said "The slipper will fit if you cut off your toes."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is magical!, December 7, 2004

A Kid's Review

I think Cendrillon is a great book if you like Cinderella. I think Robert D. San Souci the auther did a great job. It is very alike with Cinderella and very different.
Mannin's mother dies and gives her something very special. Cendrillon's mother died soon after. Her father maried a madame. Madame has a child. They have a party. The Madame and her daughter get invited to a ball. Cendrillon really wants to go. Mannin helps her get to the ball.
I feel that it is very ezciting. I like the pictures in the book Cendrillon because they are colorful and detailed.

By: Magen