Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella

Author: Robert D. San Souci

Illustrator: Brian Pinkney

Published: In 1998 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

ISBN:  978-0689806681

Synopsis: 

      "You may think you know this story I am going to tell you, but you have not heard it for true.  I was there.  So I will tell you the truth of it.  Here.  Now."  This is how Cendrillon opens  before you have even reached the title page.  This unique approach to story telling directly addresses readers and invites them to become a part of the story themselves.  Robert San Souci captures the nature of Creole oral tradition through his use of first person narration throughout the book.  This novel approach encourages a refreshing feeling of intimacy and personal connection between readers and the world of Cinderella.

 

My Reaction: 

      The first time I read this book I was enamored by the new perspective of this classic tale.  It gave me a chance to watch Cinderella's story unfold through the eyes of her godmother.  However, the more I thought about this the more I began to realize that the focus of this story wasn't really Cinderella, or Cendrillon in this case.  No, truth be told, the story is more about the godmother's journey to help the child she loves.  It's about the special relationship shared between these two women.  If you begin to analyze the illustrations in the book this theme becomes transparently clear.  In most of the illustrations Cendrillon's godmother is rendered in the foreground of the picture.  She is very dominant in the frame.  Furthermore, she is often depicted in front and to the left of Cendrillon in a position of stable guidance.  Even in the illustrations where this is not the case, she is always placed in close proximity to Cendrillon; it is like she is a protective shadow.  Overall, Pinkney's illustrations highlight the importance of this godmother goddaughter relationship.

      Another element of Pinkney's artwork that should be discussed in terms of this story, is his use of color and framing to build setting and set the pace of the story.  The intimidate use of vivid color transports you right into the realm of fantasy.  Furthermore, his placement of framed images over top of full, double paged bleeds makes it feel as if you are seeing parts story --especially those parts where the godmother and Cendrillon are separated-- through a magical window or looking glass.  Overall, the artwork in this story greatly enhances the way we understand this story.

My Rating (1-5 stars):

 

Still Curious: Learn some French Creole Words and Phrases from the book*!

        

agouti (Ah-GOO-tee):                  

 

bebe (BEEYH-beeyh): baby

blanchisseuse (Clahn-SHEEZ-seuz): a washerwoman

bonjou' (BOH-zhew): hello

Cendrillon (SOHN-dree-yhon): French version of Cinderella

fet' (FET): a party

granmaison (grahn-MAY-zohn): a manor house  

manicou (MAN-ee-coo):

 

 

*Note: The complete list can be found on the last page of Cendrillon