Cinderella

by Paul Galdone

Praise for the Folk Tale Classics: “Just as inviting today as when they first appeared decades ago.” —School Library Journal Paul Galdone’s version of the classic fairy tale stands above the rest. His gentle retelling is resplendent with lush artwork and storytelling that weaves the magical tale of a princess both beautiful and kind. This lovely story is now a Folk Tale Classic, with gold foil stamping on the cover and saturated, full-color illustrations throughout. A beautiful and value-priced edition of a classic, this book deserves a place in every child's library!

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Cinderella, Classics

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Paul Galdone (1907 - November 7, 1986) was a children's literature author and illustrator. He was born in Budapest and he emigrated to the United States in 1921. He studied art at the Art Student's League and New York School for Industrial Design. He served for the US Army during world War II.

He illustrated nearly all of Eve Titus' books including the Basil of Baker Street series which was translated to the screen in the animated Disney film, The Great Mouse Detective.

Galdone and Titus were nominated for Caldecott Medals for Anatole (1957) and Anatole and the Cat (1958). The titles were later named Caldecott Honor books in 1971.

He died of a heart attack in Nyack, New York. He was posthumously awarded the 1996 Kerlan Award for his contribution to children's literature. His retellings of classic tales like "The Little Red Hen" or "Three Billy Goats Gruff" have become staples.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful version of the traditional tale, as Cinderella is forced to slave at home, while her stepsisters bask in the glory of dances and the like. When a gift is bestowed on Cinderella, she is ready to make a name for herself, though rushes off when the clock tells her it is almost midnight. A second ball the next evening and Cinderella loses track of time... only to lose a shoe. Neo liked this story and knows it well, I think. He noticed that a pumpkin was mentioned for the coach and had to ask... "was it a Hallowe'en ball? The pumpkin looks orange and ready to carve!"

[J. Boo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice illustrations that back a good retelling of Cinderella's story.

Adaptation details in spoiler: No talking animals, Cinderella and the prince have long and pleasant conversations at the two balls she attends, and at the end the stepsisters are invited to live with Cinderella and don't have their eyes plucked out by crows.

I have heard of Galdone before but, near as I can gather, only as an illustrator for other author's stories for children. Will have to keep my eyes out for his own work.

DD#1 (age 4) , DS#1 (age 6 - and who volunteered to read it!): 4/5

[Rachel Crutchfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional Literature – Fairy Tale
Preschool – 3rd
This story is about a young girl who is a servant in her family, who finds a fairy god mother and is able to meet the prince at the ball.
The leading character described in this book is Cinderella, a servant of her stepmother and stepsisters. She is described as an unsure woman excited to go to the ball to meet her prince.
I am familiar with the Disney version of this story. This story was very conflicting from the original Disney version that I had read. Reading through this book the use of language and elements was very interesting. There was even a point that I thought it may have been a little inappropriate for children of young age.
I do think this story is for storytelling, but I don’t think that Paul Galdone’s Version will be a book that I read to a group of children. There was just a section in the book that talked about the King had seen Cinderella and how he could not stop looking at her. He had never observed such a beautiful creature before. This was a little weird to me because he told this to his wife, and it was strange to read. All in all, maybe I am a little too critical because I am just so familiar with the Disney version!

[Rina Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the classic story of Cinderella, where tell the story of a girl who live with stepmom, and two step sisters. This version of Cinderella it is new to me, in which Cinderella went to the ball twice. The pattern in this story is the same, Cinderella has to live with her stepmom and stepsisters. They make her do all the hard work and make fun of her clothes. The interest of this story is the end, when Cinderella show kindness and generosity to her stepmom and stepsisters . This Folk Tale Classic is recommender for age range 4 to 7 years, grade level preschooler and 3 graders. I could you this book to teach the children; how to be kind and generous with others. The illustration of this book look like watercolor to me, and the lines are simple. I find the illustration interesting, young reader could easy follow the story.

[Madeline Sappington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Paul Galdone brings to life the traditional fairytale of Cinderella with his ornate illustrations.
Review:
• Genre: Picture Book – Traditional Literature
• Awards: none
• Audience: 1st – 3rd grade
A. Galdone does a wonderful job of presenting this classic tale with enticing illustrations.
B. Galdone uses contrasting colors mixed with many shades of gray as well as unclean lines, giving the book a whimsical feel.
C. I would read this book in a group read-aloud because of its eye-catching & exciting illustrations.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world-famous French fairy-tale is retold and illustrated by the prolific Paul Galdone in this picture book from 1978. Made into a servant in her own home by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella retains her sweet and loving nature. When her stepsisters head to the King's ball and she is dismayed not to be going herself, her fairy godmother appears and outfits her with a magical carriage and beautiful clothing, and she attends in triumph, winning the heart of the King's son. Fleeing on the night of the second ball, she leaves her glass slipper behind, and it is through this talisman that the prince tracks her down, and the two are reunited...

I've been engaged in something of a Cinderella project this month, with Galdone's Cinderella being the sixth telling of the story type I've read so far, and the third of the French variant which gives the tale type its name. I found it a fairly engaging presentation, when it comes to the narrative, but didn't really care for the illustrations. I think I prefer something a little more ornate and lush, like the Kinuko Craft or Ruth Sanderson versions, or something with the arch delicacy of the Barbara McClintock telling, to these rather pale, unattractive paintings. I didn't find the color palette here appealing, and I thought the human figures looked unattractive—either deliberately so, as with the stepsisters, or inadvertently so with Cinderella and the prince, who had deep shadows under their eyes. The only element which appealed to me, visually speaking, was Cinderella's cat. I've enjoyed other books from Galdone, so perhaps I would have felt differently about this one, if I had not read it after versions I think are far superior. Or perhaps Galdone was better at animal tales and fables—I'll have to seek out more of his work and see. In any case, this isn't one I would strongly recommend, given that there are so many better versions out there, unless the reader is a strong Galdone fan.

[Cierra Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinderella retold by Paul Galdone is an appropriate story for children four to eight years of age. This version of Cinderella is similar to the original version. Cinderella lives with her father, Step-mother and 2 step-sisters. Cinderella was always treated unfairly by her family. Her mother and sister made her do all the chores around the home and sleep on straw in the attic of the home. Even though she was always treated unfair, she never reacted with hatred and anger.
I would rate this book a five star rating. The illustrations in this version were very artistic. The color plate used portrayed the time period of the setting. The colors portrayed each character’s personality and true feeling.
This story would be a great example to show children how to treat one another and to never do evil for evil. Cinderella is an example for children because she demonstrates humbleness and humility even when is not treated fairly. Although Cinderella did not have as much as her sisters, Cinderella did not let material things and fortune define her. As a result of Cinderella’s character, she married a prince. I would use this book to illustrate to children that having good character is important to their success in life.

May 10th 2016

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Folktale is similar to the Disney version we all have come to know. It starts with Cinderella being made to clean and do all kinds of chores for her step sisters. The sisters are invited to a ball and Cinderella is in charge of helping them get ready. They tell her she shouldn’t go because she is just a cinder maid. She gets upset and that is when her godmother comes to the rescue with her fairy magic and transforms her into a beautiful princess. She goes to the ball the first night and everyone is in awe of her especially the prince. The second night she goes back and leaves at the stroke of midnight causing her to run out of the castle. She loses her pretty glass slipper. The prince then makes every woman in the land try the slipper on and of course it fits Cinderella. They get married and Cinderella invites her stepsisters to live with her despite their horrible behavior toward her. In this version the stepsisters get married too and have a happily ever after as well. This version is good too because Cinderella ends up being nice to her awful step sisters. This shows children no matter how mean someone is to you, you should always be nice.

[Donna Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Traditional literature - fairy tale
Awards: none
Audience: 2nd grade - 5th grade
A. The main character, Cinderella, is described as hardworking and kindhearted. The stepmother and stepsisters are described as selfish and heartless.
B. I am familiar with other versions of this story, such as versions that are based on different cultures. For example, I am familiar with the Egyptian version of Cinderella.
C. Yes, I would tell this story for storytelling because Cinderella is a classic fairytale that all children should know and read about. It is a story that has been told for generations and I believe it will always be known because of how popular the story is all around the world.
D. Why did the stepsisters not eat for almost two days? They were too excited about attending the ball to eat.

[Lily Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed when I opened this book is the illustrations...I love them! They look like they were sketched out and used water color or something along the lines of that. I love the pastel vibes of this book and the details in stuff like the carriage and clothes. This book is the story of Cinderella, how I grew up. So Cinderella had an evil step mother and step sisters who were mean to her, Cinderella was in scrubs and her fairy godmother comes and does her up all beautiful, she goes to the ball and dances with the prince but has to leave before midnight, and she loses her shoe. The only thing different about this book from the classic story I knew is her step sisters feeling remorse and try to throw themselves at Cinderella for her forgiveness at the end of the book. Overall 4.5-5/5 stars for this book, and a good classic to have on your library shelf!

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1978, this Galdone classic is being re-released along with others by Houghton Mifflin to the delight of children. His re-tellings and illustrations hold up marvelously.

Cinderella is beautiful, patient, and kind, without a mean or vengeful bone in her body, as evidenced by her treatment of her step-sisters in the end of the story. I will say this is the first version I remember reading where Cinderella goes to two balls, two nights in a row, and the second is where she stays too long and loses her shoe. Her sweetness makes the reader cheer for her even more when that glass slipper fits so well.

[Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this story, my mind would always go back to the movie and compare the many differences that there exists between the text and the movie. One of the biggest differences that I found, besides the fact that there are no talking animals is the fact that in this text, Cinderella's father is alive yet they do not show him in the story. The illustrations in this text are not the prettiest in my opinion I would recommend this book to 1st -3rd grade as a great way to teach compare and contrast.

[Nicola · Rating 2 out of 5]

Miss 2 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so. This is a slightly longer version of the classic fairy tale - Cinderella goes to the ball on two different nights (losing her shoe on the 2nd). It was nice to see her in her some period-piece dresses (rather than looking like the Disney version). Shame that her father was still alive in this version - the tale always makes more sense to me when he's already died.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very nice retelling of the common story of Cinderella. Fairy Tale/Folk Tale books like this are great for any students that love the idea of princesses and princes. Cinderella is a great story because in the end she gets rewarded for all her good/polite behavior and in the edition she does not have any hard feels towards those that were hateful and mean to her, instead she helps them and cares for them.

[Alexandria Tietz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very interesting to read. I have read the other Cinderella books but never this one. I liked how in detail this book was. I enjoyed this book much more than the other versions that have been modified over the years. I liked reading the whole story rather than only getting bits and pieces. The pictures were also very neat to look at.

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the traditional original story line. In this version, the father does nothing to protect his daughter who is bullied immediately after the wedding by her new stepfamily.

The illustrations are pen and ink and watercolor wash, quite detailed but they could use more expression. The stepmother and her daughters, unfortunately, are featured as fat with pig like noses.

[Carly Bontrager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional literature
2nd-4th grade
This book is very similar to the classic Cinderella tail. The only thing I noticed that was different was that they went tot he ball twice. I liked the story, but there seemed to be a lot of white space on the pages, and I didn’t like that. The illustrations could have taken up more of the pages.

[Riley Mullis]

This story is about a girl named Cinderella, who lost her father and was left under the care of her stepmother and two evil stepsisters. Cinderella is looked at as the maid for the family, and she always has to listen to her stepmother and stepsisters wishes. Until one night, when she goes to a ball and meets a prince.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A version of the fairy tale about a young woman forced to be a servant for her stepmother and step sisters who is helped by a fairy godmother, adapted and illustrated by Paul Galdone. The illustrations a very detailed and lovely. The story is a bit different than I'm used to with some variation on the particulars of the plot. Overall, and enjoyable version of the story.

[Gabriela Cano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just like every other cinderella varient, except at the end cinderella let her sisters live with her because they loved each other. I would use this for third grade level as a read free time read.

[CinderBlitzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have just given this a 2.5 if that were possible. For the most part it follows the well known Charles Perrault version of the tale. Yet there are some lines that add a little something more to the story and the art style is enjoyable.

[Mollywainio · Rating 3 out of 5]

ISBN number is different 0070228649


copyright 1978

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Galdone is always a favorite of mine!

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan summer reading 2017, children's book, picture book, series, a folk tale classic, fairy tales, prek, first grade, second grade, third grade,

[Daniel Nelms · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least he included the forgiveness of Cinderella to her sisters after it was all over. The story is actually a story of grace and forgiveness In my eyes. My six year old loves these illustrations.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/28/19 Read with Naomi and Julia.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the edition adapted and illustrated by Paul Galdone.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

For: fairy tale/folklore fans; readers looking for a classic retelling for young readers.

Possible red flags: abuse/neglect; bullying.

[Library Lady Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this version the godmother is a person and the footman are lizards.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty basic retelling of the fairy tale, but the illustrations are lovely.