Cendrillon

Written by Robert D. San Souci · Illustrated by Brian Pinkney

A godmother's magic and wit transform a servant girl's fate in a Caribbean twist on Cinderella.

5.0/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 1,842 ratings

40 pages· 1,873 words· Est. 15 min read-aloud

$19.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In a vibrant Caribbean retelling, a washerwoman from Martinique becomes the magical godmother to Cendrillon, a servant girl longing for love. With only a wand and her wits, she devises a plan to change Cendrillon's life forever. As the tale unfolds, the familiar story of a ball, a slipper, and a cruel stepmother takes on new life, infused with island beauty and Creole charm. Will Cendrillon's heart find its true match, or will obstacles prove too great? Discover a fresh perspective on a timeless romance.

From the publisher

A Caldecott Honor author/illustrator team brings us a Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the perspective of the magical godmother. You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you’ve never heard it for true. Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man’s son, at first she doesn’t know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her—and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life. Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.