Cinderella CTR

by Rick Walton, Lucy Beatrix (Illustrator)

Poor Cinderella! Sent to a place where no one even knows what "CTR" means, and forced to do awful chores! Her horrible cousins may try to stop her, but Cinderella has her eye on the ball—the Royal Ball. With hard work and a few tricks she learned in Young Women's class, she just might make it—but will the prince choose the right?

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Religion, Lds, Folklore, Lds Fiction, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Born and raised in Utah, Walton is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Church. He served as a missionary to Brazil from 1976 to 1978, soon after he graduated from high school. Later, at Brigham Young University, he became president of the Brazil Club. In 1980, he graduated from Brigham Young with a bachelor's degree in Spanish and a minor in Portuguese, the language spoken in Brazil.

Walton's education continued after he obtained his degree. In 1980, he went back to Brigham Young for one semester of graduate work in business, but chose not to follow that career path. Deciding to become a teacher, he earned certification in elementary education from Brigham Young in 1987, as well as certification to teach gifted and talented students. Up to that point, he had held a number of jobs, including a year with the parks and recreation department of Provo, Utah. In 1987, he began teaching sixth grade at a local public school, then switched to a private school.

Also interested in computers, Walton would later publish several items of software. He left teaching to accept a position as software designer for IBM in 1989. In 1994, he turned to freelance software design and writing. He also returned to Brigham Young University once again, this time to earn his master's degree in English, with an emphasis on creative writing.

Walton's wife, Ann, with whom he has written many of his books, is a computer programmer. They were married in 1983, and have five children. With Dumb Clucks! and Something's Fishy! in 1987, the Waltons began writing books.

Reviews

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an entire star in that rating just from the laughter. Please someone else tell me they got the humor of the names of the stepmother and stepsisters! This is the cheesiest, tongue-in-cheek LDS Cinderella tale that works because of the tongue-in-cheek. I don't think younger kids will get the humor with the truths sprinkled in, but older kids, teens, and adults will smile to see the lessons they learned in Primary and YM/YW abounding. I'm glad the staff have been passing this one around--absolutely hilarious.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love! I'll be telling all my girlfriends with young daughters about this book.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as it mentions very culturally exclusive things like church callings and the CTR ring itself. And, of course, she's holding out for a temple marriage in the end. She's clearly not willing to settle for anything but the best - even when there is physical salvation from a prince on the line. In the end, the concept that holding true to your beliefs can inspire other people to follow your example is a good one.

[Alayna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A silly but self-aware book clearly written for a culturally LDS (and slightly outdated) audience. The illustrations are fun and some of the parts are cutesy, but they are kind of outweighed by some ludicrous bits and a very self-righteous conclusion. However, I will always have fond memories of it because I read it in a used bookstore on my second date with my now-fiancé.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute version of Cinderella with LDS references.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story.

[Hannah Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book countless times and each time I seem to tear up at a new part. I completely recommend this book even for the youngest romantics at heart out there.

[Breanna Maughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a warming spinoff of the original Cinderella. I love the pictures they are draw with amazing precision.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just simply did not like this book. I think I appreciate the idea: teach young girls about how they should act in real life by telling them through a fairy tale, but I just don't think it works out very well.

1) Cinderella is such a common story that if any girl or boy grows up thinking that this is the real version... they'll be laughed at.

2) It seems obvious to an adult reader that the fairy tale archetype does not function well when adapted to LDS culture; it seems "cheesy." Also, saying that simple, modest clothing is going to attract the attention of a prince is equally as misleading as saying that you need a fairy godmother to make you beautiful.

3) The "good girl" Cinderella wiggles her way out of disobedience by twisting her evil step mother's words.

[Ashley Snarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book because of how realistic it felt. It had the fairy-tale of Cinderella but the clever mix of gospel principles helped it become a new and fresh taste on the story of Cinderella. It is a feel-good book that made me laugh at points. One of my favorites was the prince asking her to marry him and her refusal at first because she just met him. I loved this!! Cinderella is a great story except for the fact that she marries a stranger. It was fun to see it from a perspective that young adults are going through now, even in a children's book. I recommend this one for it's light and fun tone.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this book since I was in young women's, and I still enjoy it! The artwork is lovely! The story is good, albeit a little cheezy. It definitely has LDS elements that make the book niche, but is still written well enough. I will say that the one thing I don't really like is "the spirit goes to bed at midnight" saying that was popular around the time of publication- but it works with the storyline of the book. I'd personally emphasize that the Spirit can remain with us whenever and wherever we are are if we are striving to be worthy of it.

[Kendra Hurst · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was absolutely ridiculous! I did not like or enjoy this in the least bit. The only good part about it was that the artwork. I felt like it took cheesy to a whole new level. I am a LDS member and I am embarrassed to even have this book associated with the church because it was that bubble-headed. The book, in my opinion, does not even deserve one star. Call me harsh, it is just how I feel.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book caught my attention when I was in the children's section of the library with my little grandson Aiden. I sat right down with it to read it. It is for LDS children/families and I absolutely loved it!! What a clever little twist on a Cinderella story! I would never find a book like this in my local library in California. Purely delightful!!

[Rebecca Durham sagoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give the author a high five or fist bump, I would!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Any young girl would enjoy reading this song. It's a Mormon twist on the Cinderella fairy tale. I loved the subtle hint to the Pioneer Children Sang As They Walk and the nod towards Young Women's! I would love to divulge what this book is all about, but you need to go find out for yourself!

[Julie Surface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay book.
This was about a girl named Cinderella and she wore a ring cTr ring, and her parents died. She was left with her step-mom and step-sister. she wanted to go to the ball which she was denied.
she then went anyway, danced with the prince, he asked about the ring. later, when she left, he wanted her. they eventually found each other and then, they got married.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute take on the Cinderella story from an LDS point of view. Keeps to the "plot line" of Cinderella pretty well with a good twist to show the values of the LDS faith. It is a bit cheesy with the story line, but it is still cute if not taken seriously. A very lighthearted book that teaches some values. The artwork is beautiful!

[Clara Madelena · Rating 5 out of 5]

TÃO FOFO!!! Gostava este livro quando era menina. Era tão bom de tem uma princesa que representa minhas morais. E “Boggsy e Lilburna” rsrs!

Muitos culturas fazem uma história de Cinderela com seus próprios interesses. E finalmente tem uma com minha cultura <3 <3

Gostaria ver mas desse série pra minhas próprias filhas algum dia 😌

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a funny story. Anyone who's LDS will get this one and love it. I brought it home for my teenage girls to read and they laughed out loud. Very cleverly written and definitely one to keep.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually rate children's books but this caught my eye at Seagul Book. I read it and bought it for my girls. An LDS fairy tale. My favorite part is when she tells the prince that she won't marry him. I like the lessons it teaches, instead of the immediate happily ever after.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of the title. I liked it because it made me laugh. I thought the author was clever in his retelling of the story with an LDS point of view. I don't know how well it would go with a general audience.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Walton's satire is hilarious. Very funny LDS version of the classic fairy tale with a few modern twists. Every Young Women's leader needs a copy of this Mormon parody.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really funny. It is based on the LDS religion!

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

[Jill W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hilarious LDS version of the classic tale. Rick Walton is so witty and you can't help laughing out loud at some of the familiar phrases from our culture applied here.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, cute, LDS twist on the classic. Little bit cheesy, slightly cliche, but still a good read for girls/YW.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious take on the Cinderella story filled with Mormon terminology and the like!

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for young women's. A twist to a classic tale.

[Kristine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute--and I loved the way that she held on to her values! That being said, I would have enjoyed this book more if I were about 6.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than I expected.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this book a lot, I love how it connects to Mormon's and there aren't very many books like that.