Carolina Mor Mor itibaren Jackson, NE, Usono
Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella By Robert D. San Souci Illustrated by Brian Pinkney Published by Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers 1998 Ages 5-10 Picture Book Cendrillon is a retelling of Cinderella based around the French Creole adaptation. The story is familar, yet made exotic and engaging being set on a Caribbean island. The author, Robert D. San Souci, has decided to tell the story from the first person point of view of Cendrillon's godmother. The godmother was left a magic wand of mahogany, that could only be used to help someone she loved. When Cendrillon's mother dies and her father remarries, her godmother was always looking after her. When time comes for the birthday party of Paul, the son of a wealthy gentleman Cendrillon wishes to go more than anything in the world. Her godmother uses the wand to make Cendrillon a beautiful gown and carriage and of course, the prince only has eyes for Cendrillon. She leaves her pink slipper, which Paul uses to find his true love. There is a beautiful wedding and Cendrillon's godmother is very happy to see Cendrillon loved. What makes this version of Cinderella unique is the incorporation of French Creole words, the setting, the storyteller and the illustrations. There is a glossary and pronunciation guide at the end for all the French Creole words, but most can be figured out through context clues. The setting plays a big role in the clothes worn by the characters, what the characters do and the objects transformed into the carriage. A breadfruit becomes the carriage and lizards, rats and an opossum become the horses and footmen. Cendrillon's godmother is a blanchisseuses or washerwoman, which speaks to the roles and jobs of poor women on the island. Much of the flavor of the island would be lost without Brian Pinkney's illustrations. In bright and vibrant colors, the trees, ocean, houses, people, and clothing of the island is brought to life. Each spread is laid out in a similar fashion: a bordered page with text and a full page of illustration or a small box of text with even more room for drawings. Pinkney's illustrations are done in "scratchboard, luma dyes, gouache and oil paints. They are wonderfully detailed and expressive and help to portray the magical mood of Cendrillon.