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Santarella: A Merry Twist on Cinderella and A Christmas Book for Kids and Toddlers
In this hilarious retelling of Cinderella , it's Christmas Eve, and Cinderella is disappointed that her sisters have gone out and left her home alone. But then Santa Claus shows up at her house and needs help--and Cinderella is eager to lend a hand!
In this hilarious spin on the traditional fairy tale Cinderella , it's Christmas Eve, and Cinderella's sisters have left Cinderella home alone to take care of the housework. Then Santa Claus shows up at Cinderella's house and needs He hurt his back, and now he can't lift his bag of toys! Cinderella eagerly lends a hand, and the two spend the evening delivering toys all around the world. When they're done, Santa offers to drop Cinderella off at the big party--but Cinderella decides there's something she'd much rather do instead. This humorous story offers up a fun take on the traditional fairy tale with rhyming text and energetic illustrations.
In this hilarious spin on the traditional fairy tale Cinderella , it's Christmas Eve, and Cinderella's sisters have left Cinderella home alone to take care of the housework. Then Santa Claus shows up at Cinderella's house and needs He hurt his back, and now he can't lift his bag of toys! Cinderella eagerly lends a hand, and the two spend the evening delivering toys all around the world. When they're done, Santa offers to drop Cinderella off at the big party--but Cinderella decides there's something she'd much rather do instead. This humorous story offers up a fun take on the traditional fairy tale with rhyming text and energetic illustrations.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2023
About the author
Suzy Senior
71 books5 followersSuzy Senior lives and works at the top of a huge hill in Yorkshire. She lives with her husband, two lovely children, two guinea pigs, a hamster, some fish, a grumpy kestrel, twelve whippets and a family of cheeky ferrets.
She has worked in publishing for what seems like ages, and still really loves it. In her spare time she likes to write books for children, but usually has to clean out the guinea pigs instead.*
*That's all true, except for the bit about the ferrets, the kestrel and the whippets. To be honest, it's mainly just fish and guinea pigs. But that's plenty, really.
She has worked in publishing for what seems like ages, and still really loves it. In her spare time she likes to write books for children, but usually has to clean out the guinea pigs instead.*
*That's all true, except for the bit about the ferrets, the kestrel and the whippets. To be honest, it's mainly just fish and guinea pigs. But that's plenty, really.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 12, 2023
When her evil stepsisters go to the ball, Cinderella wishes she could go out as well. Suddenly someone comes down the chimney! Is it her fairy godmother? Nope, it's Santa Claus. He needs help delivering the presents, so Cinderella joins him for a magical night of travelling all over the world. Santa gives Cinderella a special pair of dance shoes, and drops her off at the ball to meet the prince. But Cinderella takes one look inside the castle, and decides that she would rather do some more travelling. Santa takes her home to pack a bag, and Cinderella goes travelling all around the fairytale kingdom. She helps others and learns some new skills. But every Christmas she joins Santa again to help deliver the presents!
This was such a fun reimagining of the Cinderella story! I like that Cinderella just can't be bothered with the boring prince. She has other plans!
The illustrations are hilarious because there is always some little thing hidden in the background. The mice are up to shenanigans, or there is a fairy flying past, or a giant peeking out their window. I love the art style and all the little details!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This was such a fun reimagining of the Cinderella story! I like that Cinderella just can't be bothered with the boring prince. She has other plans!
The illustrations are hilarious because there is always some little thing hidden in the background. The mice are up to shenanigans, or there is a fairy flying past, or a giant peeking out their window. I love the art style and all the little details!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
December 15, 2025
Precious!!! Such a fun and sing-songy read!
December 7, 2023
Cinderella is a familiar story but I have never seen it woven together with Christmas. The creative author replaces the fairy godmother with Santa, gives Cinderella lots of spunk and twists the ending to a different kind of happily ever after. It’s cheeky and loads of fun.
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August 8, 2023See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/santar...
SANTARELLA is a delightful rhyming story about helping others and seeing the world. When Cinderella is left behind by her stepsisters the night of the ball with the prince, she finds Santa struggling to carry the large bag of toys. She decides to travel along with him and help, finding that she loves seeing the world. When he brings her back to the ball just before midnight, Cinderella realizes she would rather keep exploring than be with the prince, and she sets out to travel during the year before helping Santa again at the next Christmas.
What I loved: This story is an absolute delight, and I loved the rhyming text and uplifting story. This is a new twist on Cinderella that celebrates her finding her independence - without the prince. The Christmas touch with Santa and travel was lots of fun and made it quite the seasonal read. Rhyming text and lush illustrations add to the fun of the story and bring it to life when read aloud. The lyrical phrasing rolls off the tongue smoothly and makes the story feel fast-paced. This will appeal to preschoolers and young elementary school readers who have some familiarity with Cinderella but will appreciate the new twist on her story.
The font is easy to read throughout, and the pages turn fairly quickly. Detailed and colorful illustrations bring the story to life. This will work well as a non-religious holiday read with some humor and great messaging around independence and helping others.
Final verdict: SANTARELLA is a delightful picture book that will capture young readers' imaginations with colorful images and rhyming text. Highly recommend for a new fairytale holiday twist!
SANTARELLA is a delightful rhyming story about helping others and seeing the world. When Cinderella is left behind by her stepsisters the night of the ball with the prince, she finds Santa struggling to carry the large bag of toys. She decides to travel along with him and help, finding that she loves seeing the world. When he brings her back to the ball just before midnight, Cinderella realizes she would rather keep exploring than be with the prince, and she sets out to travel during the year before helping Santa again at the next Christmas.
What I loved: This story is an absolute delight, and I loved the rhyming text and uplifting story. This is a new twist on Cinderella that celebrates her finding her independence - without the prince. The Christmas touch with Santa and travel was lots of fun and made it quite the seasonal read. Rhyming text and lush illustrations add to the fun of the story and bring it to life when read aloud. The lyrical phrasing rolls off the tongue smoothly and makes the story feel fast-paced. This will appeal to preschoolers and young elementary school readers who have some familiarity with Cinderella but will appreciate the new twist on her story.
The font is easy to read throughout, and the pages turn fairly quickly. Detailed and colorful illustrations bring the story to life. This will work well as a non-religious holiday read with some humor and great messaging around independence and helping others.
Final verdict: SANTARELLA is a delightful picture book that will capture young readers' imaginations with colorful images and rhyming text. Highly recommend for a new fairytale holiday twist!
September 27, 2023
Cinderella meets Christmas in this cute mashup.
One Christmas Eve, Cinderella finds herself home alone while her sisters go out to a ball. They instruct her to clean while they're gone, but Cinderella wishes for something exciting to happen. Then all of a sudden, Santa tumbles down the chimney and hurts himself. Cinderella offers to help him and joins him for an exciting adventure. When given the chance to attend the ball, will she or find something better to do?
SANTARELLA is a cute story full of good deeds and doing the unexpected. It's a complete twist ending that I don't want to spoil, but I absolutely love it. This spin on this classic story makes for a perfect Christmas read and I adore that it's Santa in place of the Fairy Godmother. The lyrical rhyming scheme keeps things upbeat and adds a fairytale feel. The illustrations are a cute cartoon style with vivid colors and simple details and I enjoyed this read as much as my daughter.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this picture book to children aged four and up who love fairytales and Christmas. This is a mashup that I didn't even realize I've been waiting for but I'm excited to see more like it. It will make a great Christmas gift and is one that keeps on giving with each time you read it.
One Christmas Eve, Cinderella finds herself home alone while her sisters go out to a ball. They instruct her to clean while they're gone, but Cinderella wishes for something exciting to happen. Then all of a sudden, Santa tumbles down the chimney and hurts himself. Cinderella offers to help him and joins him for an exciting adventure. When given the chance to attend the ball, will she or find something better to do?
SANTARELLA is a cute story full of good deeds and doing the unexpected. It's a complete twist ending that I don't want to spoil, but I absolutely love it. This spin on this classic story makes for a perfect Christmas read and I adore that it's Santa in place of the Fairy Godmother. The lyrical rhyming scheme keeps things upbeat and adds a fairytale feel. The illustrations are a cute cartoon style with vivid colors and simple details and I enjoyed this read as much as my daughter.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this picture book to children aged four and up who love fairytales and Christmas. This is a mashup that I didn't even realize I've been waiting for but I'm excited to see more like it. It will make a great Christmas gift and is one that keeps on giving with each time you read it.
November 21, 2023
Santarella is a children’s rhyming picture book and a kind of retelling of Cinderella. Just like in the original fairy-tale, Cinderella has two sisters who demand she does everything around the house and then leave her all alone whilst they go off to the ball with the prince.
However, this Cinderella doesn’t head to the ball too, no she is off helping Santa deliver his presents after he hurts his back.
Santarella is an amusing story that flips the original story and shows that Cinderella doesn’t need a man or a pretty dress she wants to be her own person and would rather have adventures than go to a ball.
I loved the first part of the story but wasn’t so sure about Cinderella going off on her own around the fairy-tale world, but hey this is make-believe and she can do anything!
The illustrations are amazing and capture all the moments perfectly. They are bright, colourful, and full-page and make you feel Christmassy.
This is the perfect book for a Christmas read and it shows children that they don’t have to follow what others do and to be their own person, though I’m not sure they will find many dragons or pixies to help, they can dream!
However, this Cinderella doesn’t head to the ball too, no she is off helping Santa deliver his presents after he hurts his back.
Santarella is an amusing story that flips the original story and shows that Cinderella doesn’t need a man or a pretty dress she wants to be her own person and would rather have adventures than go to a ball.
I loved the first part of the story but wasn’t so sure about Cinderella going off on her own around the fairy-tale world, but hey this is make-believe and she can do anything!
The illustrations are amazing and capture all the moments perfectly. They are bright, colourful, and full-page and make you feel Christmassy.
This is the perfect book for a Christmas read and it shows children that they don’t have to follow what others do and to be their own person, though I’m not sure they will find many dragons or pixies to help, they can dream!
December 18, 2023
Cinderella is sick of only doing chores and not being able to go out like her mean sisters. She wishes o escape and is immediately granted her wish by...Santa?! Yup, she offers to help Santa deliver his presents, having the time of her life. When dropped off at the ball at the end of the night, Cinderella decides that she doesn't want to go to the ball but travel the world instead.
I absolutely loved this take on Cinderella as it combines two of my favorite things; Christmas and traveling the world! It is refreshing to see this Cinderella not end up with a prince but take an adventure instead! Read this to the girls in your life and see them change their expectations for what they can accomplish in their future.
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
I absolutely loved this take on Cinderella as it combines two of my favorite things; Christmas and traveling the world! It is refreshing to see this Cinderella not end up with a prince but take an adventure instead! Read this to the girls in your life and see them change their expectations for what they can accomplish in their future.
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
June 12, 2024
Put the glass slippers away because Cinderella won’t be needing them for this story!
In this adorable spin off, Cinderella is again stuck with two mean stepsisters. Working day and night she is sad that she is missing the ball. Then she hears a poof, a bump, and a yelp. Could it be? Is her fairy godmother here to rescue Cinderella?
With a much deeper voice and a long white beard Santa Claus appears! He’s strained his back and needs some help, could Cinderella be the person he needs?
This is such a fun twist on an old classic and I absolutely adore the ending! Cinderella is a smart, strong, and caring girl and decides that seeing the world is a much better use of her time. What a great role model for all young children, a new seasonal favorite.
In this adorable spin off, Cinderella is again stuck with two mean stepsisters. Working day and night she is sad that she is missing the ball. Then she hears a poof, a bump, and a yelp. Could it be? Is her fairy godmother here to rescue Cinderella?
With a much deeper voice and a long white beard Santa Claus appears! He’s strained his back and needs some help, could Cinderella be the person he needs?
This is such a fun twist on an old classic and I absolutely adore the ending! Cinderella is a smart, strong, and caring girl and decides that seeing the world is a much better use of her time. What a great role model for all young children, a new seasonal favorite.
December 20, 2025
With a gentle rhyming text and colorful, detailed illustrations, this is an amusing Cinderella Christmas story with a twist. In this version, the hardworking Cinderella meets a recently injured Santa. Cinderella volunteers to help Santa and she loves every minute of it. Even when Cinderella is offered a chance to go to the ball, she opts for a different life. A fun and entertaining story to read and share!
"It's magical . . . but I'd rather see the world."
"It's magical . . . but I'd rather see the world."
December 29, 2023
I freaking loved this fun take on Cinderella that had The Santa Clause twist. I also love how she determined it was better to do and see rather than just be with the prince. This is definitely one I'm gonna read again. And recommend too.
November 10, 2023
Cute with a dash of feminism.
December 16, 2023
A cute little picture book about all the adventures a girl can have without a prince!
December 26, 2023
I love this twist on the Cinderella story told in rhyme. The illustrations are delightful!
January 1, 2024
Yes! Love this Christmas story.
March 12, 2024
A fun, rhyming Christmas and Cinderella mashup with an exciting plot twist at the end. A fairytale fit for the holidays.
December 14, 2024
Fun twist.
May 29, 2025
What an adorable book! Loved the entire premise and particularly the fact that she decided she preferred travel to going to her party. Art was wonderfully done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2024
Cinderella is sick of only doing chores and not being able to go out like her mean sisters. She wishes o escape and is immediately granted her wish by...Santa?! Yup, she offers to help Santa deliver his presents, having the time of her life. When dropped off at the ball at the end of the night, Cinderella decides that she doesn't want to go to the ball but travel the world instead.
I absolutely loved this take on Cinderella as it combines two of my favorite things; Christmas and traveling the world! It is refreshing to see this Cinderella not end up with a prince but take an adventure instead! Read this to the girls in your life and see them change their expectations for what they can accomplish in their future.
I absolutely loved this take on Cinderella as it combines two of my favorite things; Christmas and traveling the world! It is refreshing to see this Cinderella not end up with a prince but take an adventure instead! Read this to the girls in your life and see them change their expectations for what they can accomplish in their future.
February 12, 2024
Have you ever wondered what magic might happen if Santa meet Cinderella? Wonder no more for in Suzy Senior's Santarella we can find out... Christmas Eve and Santa has a bad back, he cannot fly but luckily Cinderella hears of his plight and refuses to let Christmas be ruined, this could be wonderful for Santa and a new happy-ever-after for Cinderella. Enjoy the rhyming story and Lucy Semple's hilarious illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews