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Cinnamon
A beautiful picture-book fairytale from the global bestselling author of Coraline and The Graveyard Book'The lush strangeness of the tale and the beauty of its illustrations remain richly memorable.' GuardianIn a hot, hot country, ringed with mountains on one side and jungle on the other, lives a princess called Cinnamon. Her eyes are made of pearls, which means that she is blind. And, for reasons her parents the Rajah and Rani cannot fathom, she will not talk.So they offer a reward to anyone who can teach Cinnamon to speak. People travel from far and wide to attempt it, but nothing works. Until a mighty tiger, huge and fierce, prowls into their palace and announces that he is here to teach the girl-cub to talk ...A mighty fable from Neil Gaiman, winner of the Newbery and Carnegie Medals, illustrated in vivid colour by up-and-coming talent Divya Srinivasan
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 648 reviews
May 23, 2017
I read this story in ebook format some years ago. Unlike other stories by Neil Gaiman, this one takes place in India, but it is not any less enchanting or delightful (Norse mythology is this author's strength so it was no matter of course). It seems that it doesn't matter which mythological theme Gaiman picks up - he always succeeds in submerging the reader in a craftfully spun world full of wonder.
What makes this hardcover edition (which is much larger than I though it would be) so special and made me buy a story I already had, is the artwork. I was giddy for a while, ever since it was announced on Twitter that Divya Sprinivasan would illustrate it, and turned out to be even prettier than I had dared hope. The art has a typical Indian touch and the colours are vibrant as befits the story.
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I cannot remember when I found the link to this short story by Neil Gaiman (so the date set is not true). I only remembered now that I've read it in the first place (and discovered that there is an entry here on GR for it).
He posted the story/link somewhen last year and I was delighted upon seeing the great illustration you see here as the cover (that is also the reason why I marked this edition as the one I've read although that's not true either since this is an audiobook apparently and I read the text itself). There are two further illustrations, one on each page of the story (yes, it has only 3 pages) and they are equally wonderful although this one has a teeny bit more ... elegance?
The story itself is about a princess that doesn't speak. After numerous teachers have tried everything they could think of, she therefore gets put in a room with a man-eating tiger. But, typical Gaiman, nothing is as it first appears.
There might be only 3 pages but the story is full of wit and again the author was able to enthrall me. I was really there in Cinnamon's hot country, saw all the wonderful but ultimately pointless things she was surrounded by and could almost feel the tiger's pelt too!
What makes this hardcover edition (which is much larger than I though it would be) so special and made me buy a story I already had, is the artwork. I was giddy for a while, ever since it was announced on Twitter that Divya Sprinivasan would illustrate it, and turned out to be even prettier than I had dared hope. The art has a typical Indian touch and the colours are vibrant as befits the story.
------------------------------------
I cannot remember when I found the link to this short story by Neil Gaiman (so the date set is not true). I only remembered now that I've read it in the first place (and discovered that there is an entry here on GR for it).
He posted the story/link somewhen last year and I was delighted upon seeing the great illustration you see here as the cover (that is also the reason why I marked this edition as the one I've read although that's not true either since this is an audiobook apparently and I read the text itself). There are two further illustrations, one on each page of the story (yes, it has only 3 pages) and they are equally wonderful although this one has a teeny bit more ... elegance?
The story itself is about a princess that doesn't speak. After numerous teachers have tried everything they could think of, she therefore gets put in a room with a man-eating tiger. But, typical Gaiman, nothing is as it first appears.
There might be only 3 pages but the story is full of wit and again the author was able to enthrall me. I was really there in Cinnamon's hot country, saw all the wonderful but ultimately pointless things she was surrounded by and could almost feel the tiger's pelt too!
May 24, 2019
When Neil Gaiman tells a story for young readers, there will be a mix of the old and the new, the fairytale and the twist.
And there will be a thought-provoking subtext for the grown-up reader to ponder on.
Here's what I learned, apart from how tigers enter and leave a stage: students need context and purpose to understand the magic of literature and the spoken word. If they don't see why they are supposed to learn, they won't put in the effort. Once they see the magic in exploring new stories outside their horizon, nothing will stop them from joining the jungle of life!
And I learned that as much in pictures as in words...
And there will be a thought-provoking subtext for the grown-up reader to ponder on.
Here's what I learned, apart from how tigers enter and leave a stage: students need context and purpose to understand the magic of literature and the spoken word. If they don't see why they are supposed to learn, they won't put in the effort. Once they see the magic in exploring new stories outside their horizon, nothing will stop them from joining the jungle of life!
And I learned that as much in pictures as in words...
October 15, 2024
One day, a tiger came to the palace. He was huge and fierce, a nightmare in black and orange, and he moved like a god through the world, which is how tigers move. The people were afraid. 'Now: I am here to teach the girl-cub to talk.'
Neil Gaiman is great at telling stories, for kids or adults, with that eerie quality and uncommon perspective. This is a very quick read, even for kids. I'd recommend this book, definitely for Divya Srinivasan's illustrations, if not for the folklorish story.
🌟🌟🌟
[3/4 star for the premise and the illustrations; One star for the characters; Half a star for the story; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building - 3.25 stars in total, rounded down to 3 stars.]
Neil Gaiman is great at telling stories, for kids or adults, with that eerie quality and uncommon perspective. This is a very quick read, even for kids. I'd recommend this book, definitely for Divya Srinivasan's illustrations, if not for the folklorish story.
🌟🌟🌟
[3/4 star for the premise and the illustrations; One star for the characters; Half a star for the story; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building - 3.25 stars in total, rounded down to 3 stars.]
June 13, 2018
“There is nothing to be frightened of," said the Rajah. "Very few tigers are man-eaters."
"But I am," said the tiger.
"You might be lying," said the Rajah.
"I might be," said the tiger. "But I'm not.”
A short story set in India by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Divya Srinivasan, and read by a person whose name I could not find on a tiny Vox audio attachment to the physical copy of the book. It’s the story of a blind and mute Indian girl whose parents try—as parents will—anything to get the girl talking. I have an autistic son of 22 who does not talk and we have tried many things to get him to talk, but I have yet to try what these parents tried, which is to put the girl in the same room for a night with a (talking) Bengal tiger. The tiger (for no clear reason) elicits several emotions from the girl, including pain (he digs his nail in her, to prove what?!), fear and love and without much real effort gets her to talk, though her aunt is skeptical the plan worked. The aunt also apparently talks too much, and is annoying, so the tiger not only knows how to get kids to talk, he also knows how to stop aunts from talking:
“She's not talking now," muttered the Rani's aunt, wagging one stick-like finger. "That tiger is throwing his voice."
"Can no-one get that woman to stop talking?" asked the Rajah of the room.
"Easier to stop 'em than start 'em," said the tiger, and he dealt with the matter.
The story is not that remarkable, really. Is it in the manner of or in tribute to Indian fairy tales or fables? The book ends with a kind of nasty joke about the aunt, and the tiger walking off against the parents's wishes with the girl?! What about the girl being blind, what could be done with this and what about the sudden ability to speak? How can these things teach us something? I think the basic point of this story is, again, the joke; we expect a sweet little tale about a girl suddenly talking, but it is really a tale about shutting up a nosy old aunt.
Gaiman says. “It's a story I wrote about 20 years ago, inspired by a Lisa Snellings carousel sculpture of a girl called Cinnamon, with pearlescent eyes, riding on a Tiger.”
"But I am," said the tiger.
"You might be lying," said the Rajah.
"I might be," said the tiger. "But I'm not.”
A short story set in India by Neil Gaiman illustrated by Divya Srinivasan, and read by a person whose name I could not find on a tiny Vox audio attachment to the physical copy of the book. It’s the story of a blind and mute Indian girl whose parents try—as parents will—anything to get the girl talking. I have an autistic son of 22 who does not talk and we have tried many things to get him to talk, but I have yet to try what these parents tried, which is to put the girl in the same room for a night with a (talking) Bengal tiger. The tiger (for no clear reason) elicits several emotions from the girl, including pain (he digs his nail in her, to prove what?!), fear and love and without much real effort gets her to talk, though her aunt is skeptical the plan worked. The aunt also apparently talks too much, and is annoying, so the tiger not only knows how to get kids to talk, he also knows how to stop aunts from talking:
“She's not talking now," muttered the Rani's aunt, wagging one stick-like finger. "That tiger is throwing his voice."
"Can no-one get that woman to stop talking?" asked the Rajah of the room.
"Easier to stop 'em than start 'em," said the tiger, and he dealt with the matter.
The story is not that remarkable, really. Is it in the manner of or in tribute to Indian fairy tales or fables? The book ends with a kind of nasty joke about the aunt, and the tiger walking off against the parents's wishes with the girl?! What about the girl being blind, what could be done with this and what about the sudden ability to speak? How can these things teach us something? I think the basic point of this story is, again, the joke; we expect a sweet little tale about a girl suddenly talking, but it is really a tale about shutting up a nosy old aunt.
Gaiman says. “It's a story I wrote about 20 years ago, inspired by a Lisa Snellings carousel sculpture of a girl called Cinnamon, with pearlescent eyes, riding on a Tiger.”
July 27, 2017
5 stars for the illustrations, 3 stars for the story (I think the elderly aunt didn't come off very well) and 5 stars because there's a magnificent tiger present.
So after averaging ....4 stars.
So after averaging ....4 stars.
September 30, 2019
While beautifully illustrated, there was not much of a message or plot. Blind and mute Princess Cinnamon is the despair of her parents who make offerings to anyone who can make her speak. A tiger offers his services teaching her pain, fear, love, and perhaps a voice.
July 23, 2018
What the hell? This is a children's book? It's awful. The only thing it really has going for it is decent grammar and passable illustrations.
Here's the real synopsis:
I mean, seriously. What the hell?
Here's the real synopsis:
I mean, seriously. What the hell?
May 22, 2021
One thing I can say about Gaiman is that his stories are always unique.
3.5
3.5
February 13, 2023
بارهای اولی که این داستان رو خوندم واقعا درکش نکردم و ساده ازش گذشتم. حتی وقتی این داستان رو ترجمه هم کردم، خوب برام جا نیافتاد که چی می خواست بگه اما حالا که دوباره می خونمش می بینم، نیل گیمن در قالب داستانی کودکانه سعی داشت نشون بده برای ایجاد شوق زندگی چقدر حس کردن بعضی چیزها مهمه. اینکه درد، ترس و عشق، این احساسات قوی و عمیق رو تجربه کنید، باعث می شه شور و اشتیاقتون به زندگی بیشتر بشه. اینکه بخواید، مثل سینامون حرف بزنید. اینکه بخواید ببینید، حتی اگه نابینا باشید. سینامون نابینا بود و حرف هم نمی زد. به نظر میاد که سینامون اصلا حرف زدن بلد نبود و در ادامه این حقیقت که قادر به دیدن نبود، لزومی توی حرف زدن هم نمی دید اما به واسطه حس هایی که ببر تونست درون سینامون ایجاد بکنه، اوضاع تغییر کرد و سینامون تصمیم گرفت بدون اینکه قدرت بینایی داشته باشه با ببر جهانگردی کنه و دنیا رو حقیقتا ببینه، حس و لمس کنه.
می تونین این داستان رو با ترجمه من توی دو لینک زیر بخونید
این ورژن اولیه است که ویرایشش نکردم:
http://www.fantasy.ir/news/story/cinn...
نسخه تصحیح شده و بهبود یافته این داستان رو می تونید اینجا بخونید
https://thegipsy.ir/story-translation...
می تونین این داستان رو با ترجمه من توی دو لینک زیر بخونید
این ورژن اولیه است که ویرایشش نکردم:
http://www.fantasy.ir/news/story/cinn...
نسخه تصحیح شده و بهبود یافته این داستان رو می تونید اینجا بخونید
https://thegipsy.ir/story-translation...
June 1, 2017
I'm normally quite a fangirl of Gaiman, but Cinnamon is one of his weaker stories. It's about a blind, mute Indian girl who is taught to speak by a tiger. This sounds like an interesting premise (disability in a children's book!), but Gaiman doesn't do much with it. For a fairy tale, it feels rather humdrum. Also, there are several moments of casual misogyny that are unnecessary and harmful. For example, there's an older auntie who nags people a lot, and she is eventually eaten by the tiger for this offence. Everyone in the village remembers her solely by her beautiful portrait painted when she was young because this is a better version of her? Bleh, what a mediocre read.
Read
October 27, 2025Sometimes the books you once enjoyed just... hit a bit different when you learn too much.
This one used to be a 3 star read.
My original review - cause some can separate the art and this book had rather good elements... but I'm really struggling here.
This one used to be a 3 star read.
My original review - cause some can separate the art and this book had rather good elements... but I'm really struggling here.
December 28, 2022
✩ 3.5 stars
December 21, 2015
Really a 3.5/5
This was a quick, entertaining, and cute read from an author I've heard so much about but never actually read (it's a problem that I need to fix soon).
Of course, this being a children's story and being so brief, there isn't much for me to rate. It's something that I think would be very fun to dissect for themes and morals and such, but it's also something I would read to my (hypothetical) children just for the enjoyment of the story.
It wasn't something I connected with necessarily, which is why I gave it a lower rating. But still, I enjoyed its fantastical elements and more whimsical nature.
This was a quick, entertaining, and cute read from an author I've heard so much about but never actually read (it's a problem that I need to fix soon).
Of course, this being a children's story and being so brief, there isn't much for me to rate. It's something that I think would be very fun to dissect for themes and morals and such, but it's also something I would read to my (hypothetical) children just for the enjoyment of the story.
It wasn't something I connected with necessarily, which is why I gave it a lower rating. But still, I enjoyed its fantastical elements and more whimsical nature.
November 30, 2018
Full of really awful patriarchal subtext. Her eyes don't function but they were still beautiful? A powerful and violent male beast convinces her to leave her parents? She had nothing to say until this humorless alpha male showed her everything there is to talk about? Did the Tiger eat the elder aunt who was critical of him? I had to edit so much of this while reading it to my daughter.
July 2, 2017
Actual Rating: 3.5
September 21, 2018
I felt a sense of delight and anticipation as I read the story and gazed upon the beautiful illustrations. The color scheme seemed unusual and drew me in also.
June 29, 2017
Splendid illustrations now accompany the 1995 story that was only published in audio (2004 or 2006?) & on Gaiman's blog.
The illustrations in the 2017 edition are beautiful, but the text is baffling. Although the "exotic" story he wrote resembles an indigenous folktale in style, I don't see any notes that give any sources, nor any reason for him to be writing in this culture.
And unlike actual folktales, this one doesn't make any didactic or cultural sense. However, since I'm not from India, I wouldn't know if it is an excellent representation of some aspect of the cultures there, or not.
My gut response is that it is self-indulgent & arrogant of him to publish this story, and that, given the story is about a blind princess who won't speak and a talking tiger, it's kind of predictable & boring. If the tiger had transformed, too - if the beautiful blind girl had as much impact on the wild creature as he had on her - maybe it would have impressed me more.
The illustrations in the 2017 edition are beautiful, but the text is baffling. Although the "exotic" story he wrote resembles an indigenous folktale in style, I don't see any notes that give any sources, nor any reason for him to be writing in this culture.
And unlike actual folktales, this one doesn't make any didactic or cultural sense. However, since I'm not from India, I wouldn't know if it is an excellent representation of some aspect of the cultures there, or not.
My gut response is that it is self-indulgent & arrogant of him to publish this story, and that, given the story is about a blind princess who won't speak and a talking tiger, it's kind of predictable & boring. If the tiger had transformed, too - if the beautiful blind girl had as much impact on the wild creature as he had on her - maybe it would have impressed me more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
Beautifully written and with gorgeous illustrations, this is a simple, yet powerful story of self-discovery and power. Such a gem.
November 24, 2017
Hard pressed to see any reason for the glowing reviews I read in kidlit sources. This has the flavor of a traditional folktale, though no source is given. Gaiman's a superb writer, but his story gives only glimpses of his power. Why has the mute princess chosen not to speak? Why does being a cross old lady, no longer beautiful, merit being eaten by a tiger? The illustrations are gorgeous, and I was delighted when the parrot quotes the famous limerick about a lady and a tiger, but I fail to see why Cinnamon should not have suffered the same fate.
September 5, 2020
I haven’t read Neil Gaiman in a long while. ‘Cinnamon’ is a short picture book - a girl who won’t speak is taught how to by a man-eating tiger. Set in a land of kings and queens, I expected a bit more. Yet, it’s quite humdrum, some weird misogyny thrown in, and nothing spectacular in the end about the story.
But the illustrations by Divya Srinivasan were the only highlights of this book for me. Utterly gorgeous
But the illustrations by Divya Srinivasan were the only highlights of this book for me. Utterly gorgeous
August 21, 2017
Exquisite art and Gaiman's words. I love that Neil Gaiman writes poetically even for his youngest refers, and although I read the picture book version, I could hear him narrating it in my head which added to my enjoyment.
January 5, 2014
I think every brown skinned princess should be given this book as a gift. It's okay if we decide to withhold our voices from the world until we are presented with nothing but LOVE.
December 31, 2019
This book was read for the BookTubeAThon
This book is for
5: Finish a book completely outside.
Ah Neil Gaiman, you are a genius!
This book is for
5: Finish a book completely outside.
Ah Neil Gaiman, you are a genius!
September 2, 2019
Princess Cinnamon, the royal child of the Rajah and Rani of a small, hot country, had lovely, pearl-like eyes incapable of sight, and had been mute her entire life. Her concerned parents offered a room in the palace, a field of stunted mango trees and a portrait of the Rani's aunt to anyone who could make her talk. No one succeeded, until a fierce tiger, one who "moved like a god through the world," arrived, and taught the sheltered Cinnamon about some of the things she had been missing...
With a copyright date of 1995, Neil Gaiman's Cinnamon was apparently originally available as an ebook, and has only now, in 2017, been made into a picture-book, with beautiful illustrations by the talented Divya Srinivasan. I enjoyed this original fairy-tale, set in an unspecified Indian locale, and thought that it was telling that it was knowledge of the real world - of things like pain - that finally prompted Cinnamon to speak. It's tempting to interpret this as a commentary on the mistake of trying to shelter young people from every stray wind, and from knowledge of life's less palatable aspects. The artwork here, as mentioned, is just gorgeous, with a vivid, jewel-like palette, and stylized figures that suggest Indian art. Recommended to Gaiman fans (of course), and to all young fairy-tale lovers.
With a copyright date of 1995, Neil Gaiman's Cinnamon was apparently originally available as an ebook, and has only now, in 2017, been made into a picture-book, with beautiful illustrations by the talented Divya Srinivasan. I enjoyed this original fairy-tale, set in an unspecified Indian locale, and thought that it was telling that it was knowledge of the real world - of things like pain - that finally prompted Cinnamon to speak. It's tempting to interpret this as a commentary on the mistake of trying to shelter young people from every stray wind, and from knowledge of life's less palatable aspects. The artwork here, as mentioned, is just gorgeous, with a vivid, jewel-like palette, and stylized figures that suggest Indian art. Recommended to Gaiman fans (of course), and to all young fairy-tale lovers.
August 30, 2020
Such a sweet little enchanting tale!
It revolves around a little princess of India who doesn't talk and her parents' continuous attempt to make her do so. There is a 'reward' too. So this enigmatic talking tiger comes one day and things happen!
Sounds so simple and childish right?
Maybe so! But you don't know how Gaiman writes or what he means or just can do, unless you read the book. The fundamental questions of life and existence raised though the shroud of innocence is striking!
Short. Beautiful. Worth it.
Try the audiobook if you can. It's narrated by Neil Gaiman himself and ofcourse does a fantastic job at it !
It revolves around a little princess of India who doesn't talk and her parents' continuous attempt to make her do so. There is a 'reward' too. So this enigmatic talking tiger comes one day and things happen!
Sounds so simple and childish right?
Maybe so! But you don't know how Gaiman writes or what he means or just can do, unless you read the book. The fundamental questions of life and existence raised though the shroud of innocence is striking!
Short. Beautiful. Worth it.
Try the audiobook if you can. It's narrated by Neil Gaiman himself and ofcourse does a fantastic job at it !
December 25, 2017
What a cute tiny fudgy book to end your Christmas night! Oh Gaiman, you are my solace in this depressing world.
July 17, 2024
Always choose the big cat.
November 9, 2017
Hold that Tiger, Yeah!
I'm quite enthralled with this children's book you see, as I love simplicity in its purest forms. It's an artistic masterpiece I believe. Easy and quick reading you see; several different personalities albeit with different emotional maturities. The tiger, being the pragmatist comes across so eloquently in his assertions. The girl, in her coming of age exploratories. The parents, letting go and trusting intuitions. The old lady, souring in life like Trump, losing her God given altruism and optimisms. And we, who are fearful at first, before we let go and trust.......I hope I didn't give too much away, Peace, Murf
I'm quite enthralled with this children's book you see, as I love simplicity in its purest forms. It's an artistic masterpiece I believe. Easy and quick reading you see; several different personalities albeit with different emotional maturities. The tiger, being the pragmatist comes across so eloquently in his assertions. The girl, in her coming of age exploratories. The parents, letting go and trusting intuitions. The old lady, souring in life like Trump, losing her God given altruism and optimisms. And we, who are fearful at first, before we let go and trust.......I hope I didn't give too much away, Peace, Murf
January 2, 2019
An exquisite hardcover picture book that would now be considered a collector’s item that tells a beautiful tale about a princess called Cinnamon whose eyes are made of pearls – in other words, she is blind.. and for reasons unknown to her parents, she refuses to speak. After futile attempts to find someone to make Cinnamon talk, suddenly a mighty tiger appears at their palace to teach Cinnamon to talk.. the illustrations and art in this book are so beautiful and bode so well with this mighty tale.. Suitable for family reading time to children from 5 years Many thanks to Bloomsbury Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review.
- Annie
- Annie
June 9, 2017
I had never heard of Divya Srinivasan until we had our son. My husband (and his dad) is such a fan of owls that I had several board books featuring owls as the protagonist ready for our little one's joining of our family.
When I saw that Neil Gaiman had a new children's book coming out, I was excited, having been a long-time fan of both his novels and graphic novels. At the last second, I noticed Srinivasan's name and knew I needed this book for our home library.
I just read this (with my son listening in for as long as his attention span permitted--which was quite short in the view of an adult, hehe) and while the story itself wasn't impressive, Srinivasan's illustrations captivated me. These drawings are exquisite, a veritable delight for those of us with sight (this last bit hinting at something about main character, Cinnamon).
When I saw that Neil Gaiman had a new children's book coming out, I was excited, having been a long-time fan of both his novels and graphic novels. At the last second, I noticed Srinivasan's name and knew I needed this book for our home library.
I just read this (with my son listening in for as long as his attention span permitted--which was quite short in the view of an adult, hehe) and while the story itself wasn't impressive, Srinivasan's illustrations captivated me. These drawings are exquisite, a veritable delight for those of us with sight (this last bit hinting at something about main character, Cinnamon).
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