Are You Ready for the Ball? : A Collection of Cinderella Stories
Selected and annotated by Mallory Hausman
Craft, K.Y., ad. Cinderella , ad. and illus. by K.Y. Craft. SeaStar, 2000. Ages 5-9.
This retelling may seem wordy for small children, but the bright, intricate illustrations are sure to catch their attention. If you are looking for a beautiful, traditional version of Cinderella, this is the one for you.
Elwell, Peter., ad. Cinderella . ilus. By Jada Rowland. Calico/Contemporary, 1988. Ages 5-8.
Cinderella is very in touch with her feelings in this version of the story. Although it is wordier than most retellings, the central storyline remains the same. Rowland’s watercolor illustrations give a sense of whimsy to the classic fairy tale.
Hogrogian, Nonny, ad. Cinderella ; ad. and illustrated by Nancy Hogrogian. Greenwillow, 1981. Ages 7-10.
Hogrogian sticks to the storyline of “Aschenputel,” the Grimm version of the Cinderella tale, with enchanted doves, a hazel tree, and a step-mother who will have one of her daughters be queen at any cost.
Hughes, Shirley. Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella ; written and illus. by Shirley Hughes. Simon, 2004. Ages 6-8.
Ella is a dressmaker who, like every Cinderella, captures the heart of the prince. But if you think that is the end of Ella’s story, you are in for a surprise!
Lowell, Susan. Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella; illus. by Jane Manning. Cotler/HarperCollins, 2000. Ages 6-9.
The traditional Cinderella tale takes on a humorous western spin with Cindy the cowgirl and her golden pistol-shooting godmother.
Perrault, Charles. Cinderella; ad. By Amy Ehrlich; illus. by Susan Jeffers. Dial, 1985. Grades K-2
This simplified retelling of the Perrault classic is great for young children. The book also features large, detailed illustrations. The oversized book would be great to share at story time.
Perrault, Charles. Cinderella ; ad. by Barbara Karlin; ilus. By James Marshall. Little, 1989. Ages 5-8
Karlin’s brevity is perfect for young children, but it is the fun, liveliness of Marshall ’s illustrations that will make you laugh. If you enjoyed Marshall ’s George and Martha series, you are sure to love his Cinderella.
Roberts, Lynn, ad. Cinderella: An Art Deco Love Story ; illus. by David Roberts. Abrams, 2001. Ages 6-9.
The 1930s setting of the illustrations makes this retelling of an old tale seem new again.
Sanderson, Ruth, ad. Cinderella; ad. and illus. by Ruth Sanderson. Little, 2002. Ages 5-9.
Sanderson weaves together the Perrault and Grimm versions of the familiar tale in her retelling of Cinderella. The illustrations are incredibly bright and life-like.
San Souci, Robert D. Cendrilon: A Caribbean Cinderella; illus. by Brian Pinkney. Simon, 1998. Ages 5-8.
Told from the godmother’s point-of-view, this is a retelling of a traditional Creole story. Pinkney’s bright illustrations add beauty while enhancing the Caribbean feel of the story.
San Souci, Robert D. Cinderella Skeleton ; illus. by David Catrow. Silver Whistle/ Harcourt, 2000. Ages 6-9.
You’ve likely never heard of a dead Cinderella, but that is exactly what you will find in this book. This time Cinderella takes a funeral wagon to the Halloween Ball in this sweetly spooky story.
Thomas, Joyce Carol. The Gospel Cinderella; illus. by David Diaz. Amistad/Colter/HarperCollins, 2004. Ages 4-8.
Queen Mother Rhythm looses her baby daughter in a hurricane and is reunited with her years later by the power of voice.
Willard, Nancy. Cinderella’s Dress; illus. by Jane Dyer. Blue Sky/Scholastic, 2003. Ages 6-9.
This version of the Cinderella tale focuses on the magpies (birds) who try to help Cinderella make it to the ball.
Movies
Cinderella [videorecording]/ Gaylord Television Entertainment presents a Platypus Production in Association with Lion’s Gate Films Faerie Tale Theatre; produced by Fredric S. Fuchs and Bridget Terry; written by Mark Curtiss and Rod Ash; directed by Mark Cullingham. 1987.
Starring Jennifer Beals, Matthew Broderick, and Eve Arden
Ella Enchanted [DVD recording]/ Miramax Films presents a Jane Starz production; based on the book by Gail Carson Levine; screenplay by Laurie Craig and Karen McCullah Lutz; directed by Tommy O’Haver. 2004.
Starring Anne Hathaway, Minnie Driver, and Eric Cole
Ever After [videorecording]: A Cinderella Story/ Twentieth Century Fox presents a Mireille Soria production ; an Andy Tennant film produced by Mireille Soria, Tracey Trench ; screenplay by Susannah Grant and Andy Tennant & Rick Parks ; directed by Andy Tennant. 1998.
Starring Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Houston
