The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo
Originally one of the tales in the Arabian Nights, this is my Favorite Cinderella Storybook Of All Time. (In fact, it’s one of my absolutely favorite books entirely. ;D)
Full of gorgeous mantles… and turbans… and pearls… and sweeping dark hair… and with a sweet heroine, Settareh (i.e. ‘Cinderella’), it's absolutely beautiful! (And… they’re Persian. And the prince has a dark beard. Sooo… yes. In short, enough said. ;))
The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo
One of the world’s oldest Cinderella stories -- based on both fact and legend -- the story of 'Rhodopis and The Rose-red Slippers' was first recorded by the Roman historian Strabo in the first century A.D. While the slippers may have been a later addition, there is historical record that the Pharaoh Amasis (570-526 B.C.) did, indeed, marry a Greek slave girl, making her his queen.
And… since you all know my fascination for archaeology/ancient history, it’s probably fairly obvious why this quite beautifully illustrated rendition of the story makes my absolute favorites list. ;)
Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola
This version (especially if you love Tomie dePaola’s work) is cute and sweet and altogether entirely charming.
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| (And I apologize. This picture doesn't quite do the cover justice. :P) |
The Salmon Princess: An Alaska Cinderella Story by Mindy Dwyer
With lyrical prose and authentic illustrations genuinely capturing the very flavor of the Pacific Northwest, this is an original, touching (and also quite hilarious) retelling of Cinderella. (It’s also my brother’s favorite. He loves it! ;))
Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella by Alan Schroeder
Down-to-earth and full of fun, it’s impossible to read this one without ending up laughing somewhere. (And as for Rose’s party dress…! Soft blue and Edwardian, with an edging of lace -- elegant yet practical -- it's sweet and utterly beautiful!)
Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition adapted by Jewell Reinhart Coburn
Yet another Cinderella from the Spanish-Mexican tradition (and actually one of the first I read), it’s also currently my dad’s favorite (as well as sister Arwen's :)). Reading it again, I noticed just how much emphasis in it is placed on the tangible -- beauty and goodness flowing out the fingertips. It’s lovely!
Tell me! Have you read any of these? If not, which do you find most intriguing? :)
Aww!! All of these look beautiful! I especially like the Persian Cinderella - I already want to look for one for myself. :D
ReplyDeleteFaith,
DeleteThey are! And I hope you can find the Persian one sometime and enjoy it! ;)
Oh, I've read "Adelita"! I do love that one--partly because I've always been a HUGE fan of Tomie DePaola :) He does such a beautiful job with re-tellings of legends in general--St. Christopher, Guadalupe, the Indian Paintbrush, the Clown of God, and so many more! I think I'd have to say he's one of my favorite authors/artists, even though he technically does "kids' books" :-)
ReplyDeletejessica,
DeleteI know! He was such a memorable part of my growing up. Our copy of his An Early American Christmas has come out and been read at our house every December for as long as I can remember. :)
(And oh dear me no... I don't think you can ever outgrow picture books!! ;D)
These look so cool! I LOVE Tommy dePaola, his illustrations are gorgeous! And just plain sweet :)
ReplyDeleteRosie,
DeleteThank you!! :) And I agree about the sweetness factor. ;)
Oh, this is SUCH a cool post! I've only read the Egyptian Princess one. In fact, I posted an adaption of that story on my blog yesterday :) Here's the link: http://countingyourblessingsonebyone.blogspot.ca/2016/01/the-girl-with-rose-red-slippers.html
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, did you order the books from your most favourite? Or just random order? :D
Thanks for sharing, Heidi!
Blessing,
DeleteHmmm. Let me think. *scrolls back up* Beyond the first two I didn't intentionally, but I guess they are -- more or less. The last four I like about equally, so they get scrambled around a bit from time to time. ;)
And thank you -- I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! :)
I haven't read any of these, but I'd certainly like to try some, especially the first one. :) It looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteNatalie,
DeleteI hope you can check them out -- they're pretty fun. :) And yes, that first one's quite evocative! ;)
Isn't it interesting how many Cinderella retellings there are?
ReplyDeleteI read the Egyptian Cinderella for school in 2nd grade(don't remember it too well), and the Alaskan Cinderella sometime before that(don't remember it very well either, except that she walked on salmon...right?).
The first pick looks wonderful! I'll tack onto my TBR list!
Meredith,
DeleteYES. :)
And I'm so happy you'd heard of some of these! In the Alaskan one, I think she was thinking she might have to go across on the salmon, but she ended up being able to take her father's outboard motorboat. :) Incidentally, I grew up in the PNW, so that one never fails to make me smile. It's all just so fun and authentic.
And wonderful!
Ooh, I like the Egyptian Cinderella! And definitely the Persian Cinderella and Smoky Mountain Rose look worth checking out!
ReplyDeleteAwdur,
DeleteYay -- and I hope you're able to find and enjoy the other two! Smoky Mountain Rose is hilarious. :)
I have been trying to find a (not other culture) beach version of Cinderella, and the librarians have unearthed all these Asian Cinderella titles.
ReplyDeleteI remember in one of our childhood story collections, a gorgeously illustrated native American version.
Livia Rachelle,
DeleteExciting! And I'm curious... is that "The Indian Cinderella" in The Children's Book of Virtues? :)