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Ash Boy: A Cinderfella Story
When Cinder Ashok's mother dies in a freak carriage accident, he doesn't think life can get any worse but it does. His dad marries a total horror and Ash Boy inherits bullying step-brothers Rock and Boulder. All Cinder wants is to be left in peace in the library with his side-kick Buttons. But Rock and Boulder are on a mission to compete in Prince Charmless' upcoming jousting tournament. Everything turns upside down when Cinder's fairy godfather magics him into the tournament. Now he's got a happily-ever-after in his sights! Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
72 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2017
About the author
Lucy Coats
67 books49 followersIn 2015 I have 6 upcoming titles, 4 books in the brand-new Beasts of Olympus series from Piccadilly Press (Grosset and Dunlap/Penguin Young Readers in the USA), an early reader called The Little Green Drum from Orion and my first proper YA novel, Cleo, from Orchard. Cleo is a mixture of historical and paranormal, and follows the teenage Cleopatra on her journey to become pharaoh. I'm very excited about it indeed!
I was born in a small village in Hampshire, England. I loved reading from an early age, and was never found without some kind of book in my hand from the time I could turn and page and make sense of what was written there. My first job was as an editor of children's books, but I soon jumped the fence and started writing my own. My first picture book was published in 1992, and now I write for all ages (two to teen). Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths was shortlisted for the BBC Blue Peter Book Award in 2004. It is the most comprehensive collection of Greek myths ever written for children. My first novel, Hootcat Hill which was described as “A lyrical fantasy full of old, dark magic entertainingly bound up with ordinary life.” by the Sunday Times.
The book I would take to a desert island is The Lord of the Rings. I've lost count of how many times I've read it, and I am still finding new things to marvel at in it.
I was born in a small village in Hampshire, England. I loved reading from an early age, and was never found without some kind of book in my hand from the time I could turn and page and make sense of what was written there. My first job was as an editor of children's books, but I soon jumped the fence and started writing my own. My first picture book was published in 1992, and now I write for all ages (two to teen). Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths was shortlisted for the BBC Blue Peter Book Award in 2004. It is the most comprehensive collection of Greek myths ever written for children. My first novel, Hootcat Hill which was described as “A lyrical fantasy full of old, dark magic entertainingly bound up with ordinary life.” by the Sunday Times.
The book I would take to a desert island is The Lord of the Rings. I've lost count of how many times I've read it, and I am still finding new things to marvel at in it.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 17, 2017
Okay ... full disclosure ... this book has been dedicated to four librarians (and I'm one of them!) plus it contains a character who wants to be a librarian ... so I'm probably biased. However ...
T
Ash Boy (a Cinderfella Story), written by Lucy Coats and illustrated by Mark Beech, is a retelling of the traditional Cinderella story which, as you can probably guess from the tag line, plays with the genderisation featured in the original. Instead of a pretty downtrodden girl we have an uncool downtrodden boy who's addicted to comic books. His best friend is a girl with bright blue hair called Buttons. I won't give away any more of the story but it contains a wicked stepmother, a fairy godfather, a rocking horse, and a grand quintain contest ... no glass slippers, dancing or ballgowns here!
This is a Barrington Stoke book with its cream-coloured pages and dyslexia-friendly font so it perfect for struggling readers at KS2. However, anyone who knows the original fairy tale will find this twist on it amusing and it would be great for opening up discussions about gender roles with younger children.
T
Ash Boy (a Cinderfella Story), written by Lucy Coats and illustrated by Mark Beech, is a retelling of the traditional Cinderella story which, as you can probably guess from the tag line, plays with the genderisation featured in the original. Instead of a pretty downtrodden girl we have an uncool downtrodden boy who's addicted to comic books. His best friend is a girl with bright blue hair called Buttons. I won't give away any more of the story but it contains a wicked stepmother, a fairy godfather, a rocking horse, and a grand quintain contest ... no glass slippers, dancing or ballgowns here!
This is a Barrington Stoke book with its cream-coloured pages and dyslexia-friendly font so it perfect for struggling readers at KS2. However, anyone who knows the original fairy tale will find this twist on it amusing and it would be great for opening up discussions about gender roles with younger children.
April 28, 2019
Gotta love this gender swapping retelling of the original story. It’s full of humour and wackiness. Still, there’s substance in this short easy to read novel. How could there not be in a story about a young boy who loves libraries and wants to be a librarian? Mark Beech’s illustrations have a Quentin Blake feel that adds to the appeal.
PS You’re going to love his best friend!
PS You’re going to love his best friend!
November 8, 2017
Really enjoyed it. Cleverly written with the gender swap of the traditional Cinderella tale. Heavily features libraries (yay!). I liked the tone of the book and the diversity.
May 11, 2024
Little bit childish for my liking, but good otherwise.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews