What do you think?
Rate this book
Cinderfella
To all the brothers at Number 12. You're invited to Kayleigh's party. Dress fancy. Come fancy. Dance!Once upon a time, there lived Cinderfella – a little boy, forever bossed around by his two older brothers, Gus and Gareth. “Turn up the TV! Shine our scooters!" the brothers cry. "Finish our homework!” But on the day of our story, Kayleigh, the town's kick-fastic karate champion, is having a party, and Cinderfella is determined to dream big, dress fancy and DANCE.He’ll just need a little help along the way from his fairy dog-mother, Ruff – woof! A feel-good twist on the classic fairytale, brought to life with fresh vision and huge humour by Matt Hunt.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
Hardcover
Published August 1, 2018
About the author
Malachy Doyle
155 books23 followersMalachy Doyle is the author of Antonio on the Other Side of the World, Getting Smaller and many other books for children. He lives in Donegal, Ireland.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 7, 2018
Karate champion Kayleigh was having a party. She sent out the invites. Brothers Gus and Gareth told their younger brother that he wasn’t invited, in fact, they were completely horrible to him. They treated him like their own personal slave.
Ruff the family dog found the invite which stated that all the brothers were invited. So he had a plan. Cinderfella borrowed his brothers leather jacket and sunglasses and headed to the party, but he had to make sure he was home before his brothers, or they would be mad.
When his watched beeped and it was time to leave, Cinderfella fled the party but in his haste, his sunglasses flew off and Kayleigh found them. She wanted to find the boy who had danced the funky monkey with her. So she searched around the neighbour, but would she find her dance partner?
This is a short, modern take on Cinderella, told from a male perspective and for little children. Gus and Gareth are the ugly stepsisters (okay brothers) that make Cinderfella do everything, including cutting their nails – Ewwww.
The book is fun, engaging and has some wonderful, bright and colourful illustrations that really make the story come alive.
A great book for young children to sit and read, or even for a class read too – I can see the kids doing the funky monkey around the classroom too.
Ruff the family dog found the invite which stated that all the brothers were invited. So he had a plan. Cinderfella borrowed his brothers leather jacket and sunglasses and headed to the party, but he had to make sure he was home before his brothers, or they would be mad.
When his watched beeped and it was time to leave, Cinderfella fled the party but in his haste, his sunglasses flew off and Kayleigh found them. She wanted to find the boy who had danced the funky monkey with her. So she searched around the neighbour, but would she find her dance partner?
This is a short, modern take on Cinderella, told from a male perspective and for little children. Gus and Gareth are the ugly stepsisters (okay brothers) that make Cinderfella do everything, including cutting their nails – Ewwww.
The book is fun, engaging and has some wonderful, bright and colourful illustrations that really make the story come alive.
A great book for young children to sit and read, or even for a class read too – I can see the kids doing the funky monkey around the classroom too.
August 13, 2018
We’re in it for the dancing and crazy dance moves; a colourful, vibrant picture book which you could easily enjoy just from the fun illustrations. Not to mention the fairy dogmother - genius!
A modern retelling of Cinderella, with a few key twists. Cinderella is now a boy, with two bossy brothers and a dog as his guide (and a skateboard as his pumpkin!). They’ve been invited to an exciting party but Cinderfellas brothers are trying to stop him from being able to attend. But that won’t stop resourceful Cinderfella, who dons his best disguise and sneaks in anyway.
The story is okay. The real hero lies within the illustrations. But it is a witty, undeniably fun book which I think children will love (if only for the funny dance moves!).
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
A modern retelling of Cinderella, with a few key twists. Cinderella is now a boy, with two bossy brothers and a dog as his guide (and a skateboard as his pumpkin!). They’ve been invited to an exciting party but Cinderfellas brothers are trying to stop him from being able to attend. But that won’t stop resourceful Cinderfella, who dons his best disguise and sneaks in anyway.
The story is okay. The real hero lies within the illustrations. But it is a witty, undeniably fun book which I think children will love (if only for the funny dance moves!).
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
November 1, 2022
Cinderfella opens with “Once upon a day, and once upon a every night…”, a nod to the oral storytelling tradition from which it originally comes.
The plot of Cinderfella centers on a younger brother that is taunted, teased and mistreated by his two older and bossy brothers. With no bed of his own, he must sleep close to the fire to stay warm. He does all of the work in the house and is told that he isn’t invited to attend a fancy party with the Karate champ as host. Cinder wishes and wants to attend so after some thought, decides to raid his brother's clothes to put together a pretty fancy outfit, along with a special accessory. At the party, admiring eyes quickly find our hero, but he must be sure to get home before his brother’s bedtime to keep his secret.
Like Caldecott, many of the pictures have no border so it seems like the character and his surroundings continue into the world of the reader. The varying emotions of each character are on full display as the pictures and text amply each other. In fact, the text layout and typeface support reader understanding of the story events. The placement, font, and color of text blend and fade into the pictures on the page to tell a more detailed and engaging story. The typeface design moves fluidly around the pages, helping to focus the telling of different events of Cinderfella’s tale. There are also “page turns” that build suspense as the main character is introduced as Cinderfella. The main character, younger brother to bossy older brothers, Gareth and Garth, is pictured in a way that allows the reader to recognize him in different situations and settings. The story also features other cartoon characters with diverse skin shades with which a variety of readers can relate to.
Like other versions of Cinderella stories that share a common theme and structure, this story features a character who must sleep near the fire for warmth, picking up discoloration caused by the cinders of the fire. There is also a special gathering at which only the invited guests enjoy dancing together. There is also a desire to be the “best” and more likely to win the “prize” (Kailey as a dance partner or special attention of the prince or king). The protagonist is spotted across the room and deemed worthy, but unrecognizable to his attending brothers. Before leaving the party, the protagonist leaves behind an object that is swiftly identified as belonging to him (the sunshades).
The author employs different perspectives to allow the reader different points of viewing the situation. Over the character’s shoulder, reading along with him, or from high above the scene allowing a view of even the tiniest details, the reader is an important consideration in this text. The reader is also considered when the borders of some illustrated pages bring the eye to focus on what is important to the author’s telling. Multiple pictures on a page symbolize a series of rapid occurrences in the story and often set the mood as energetic and comical and cohesive.
This engaging picture story book is full of artist craft examples to demonstrate the unique qualities of an author and illustrator that add to the overall effect of a simple story. Whether middle grade students or older, comparing and contrasting this story to other Cinderella versions, would lead to a rigorous analysis of story components (character roles, including animal helpers, and motivation, complications, settings, and themes), commonalities and differences.
The plot of Cinderfella centers on a younger brother that is taunted, teased and mistreated by his two older and bossy brothers. With no bed of his own, he must sleep close to the fire to stay warm. He does all of the work in the house and is told that he isn’t invited to attend a fancy party with the Karate champ as host. Cinder wishes and wants to attend so after some thought, decides to raid his brother's clothes to put together a pretty fancy outfit, along with a special accessory. At the party, admiring eyes quickly find our hero, but he must be sure to get home before his brother’s bedtime to keep his secret.
Like Caldecott, many of the pictures have no border so it seems like the character and his surroundings continue into the world of the reader. The varying emotions of each character are on full display as the pictures and text amply each other. In fact, the text layout and typeface support reader understanding of the story events. The placement, font, and color of text blend and fade into the pictures on the page to tell a more detailed and engaging story. The typeface design moves fluidly around the pages, helping to focus the telling of different events of Cinderfella’s tale. There are also “page turns” that build suspense as the main character is introduced as Cinderfella. The main character, younger brother to bossy older brothers, Gareth and Garth, is pictured in a way that allows the reader to recognize him in different situations and settings. The story also features other cartoon characters with diverse skin shades with which a variety of readers can relate to.
Like other versions of Cinderella stories that share a common theme and structure, this story features a character who must sleep near the fire for warmth, picking up discoloration caused by the cinders of the fire. There is also a special gathering at which only the invited guests enjoy dancing together. There is also a desire to be the “best” and more likely to win the “prize” (Kailey as a dance partner or special attention of the prince or king). The protagonist is spotted across the room and deemed worthy, but unrecognizable to his attending brothers. Before leaving the party, the protagonist leaves behind an object that is swiftly identified as belonging to him (the sunshades).
The author employs different perspectives to allow the reader different points of viewing the situation. Over the character’s shoulder, reading along with him, or from high above the scene allowing a view of even the tiniest details, the reader is an important consideration in this text. The reader is also considered when the borders of some illustrated pages bring the eye to focus on what is important to the author’s telling. Multiple pictures on a page symbolize a series of rapid occurrences in the story and often set the mood as energetic and comical and cohesive.
This engaging picture story book is full of artist craft examples to demonstrate the unique qualities of an author and illustrator that add to the overall effect of a simple story. Whether middle grade students or older, comparing and contrasting this story to other Cinderella versions, would lead to a rigorous analysis of story components (character roles, including animal helpers, and motivation, complications, settings, and themes), commonalities and differences.
February 9, 2019
I really like this take on the classic Cinderella story. ‘Cinderfella’ is a book that’s a bit smaller than A4 in size and is filled with thick glossy pages of very colourful illustrations and text. The story is based on the classic. Cinderfella, as he’s called (we never learn his real name), is a boy who lives with his two brothers who boss him around and make him do all the tidying around the house and other things for them. When their neighbour Kayleigh invites the boys to her party, the two brothers tell Cinderfella that he’s not been invited. But he soon makes it to the party, with both him and his dog in disguise.
The tale is brilliant and a good, and slightly silly, re-telling of the classic story. It’s ending is predictable but I like the unique twist on this being a party rather than a ball, and Cinderfella is looking to be the best dancer and therefore friends with Kayleigh rather than this being a love story. The whole book is filled with humour, the story and the illustrations do well to make this a funny tale and worth re-reading.
The illustrations are brilliant and very colourful. I really like how much detail is in each image although it doesn’t look that way when you first see them. I like the way all the characters are drawn especially the dog Ruff who looks even more funny wearing clothes to the party! Some pages have creative ways of putting the text along pathways rather than in a block which makes the whole book look even more fun and it’s really these images that make the story so fun and funny.
Although predictable, there’s something fun and silly about this book and it makes me enjoy it. I do like when classic tales like this are re-told for kids, especially if they are done with a bit of humour like this one, and I do think kids will enjoy reading it.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
The tale is brilliant and a good, and slightly silly, re-telling of the classic story. It’s ending is predictable but I like the unique twist on this being a party rather than a ball, and Cinderfella is looking to be the best dancer and therefore friends with Kayleigh rather than this being a love story. The whole book is filled with humour, the story and the illustrations do well to make this a funny tale and worth re-reading.
The illustrations are brilliant and very colourful. I really like how much detail is in each image although it doesn’t look that way when you first see them. I like the way all the characters are drawn especially the dog Ruff who looks even more funny wearing clothes to the party! Some pages have creative ways of putting the text along pathways rather than in a block which makes the whole book look even more fun and it’s really these images that make the story so fun and funny.
Although predictable, there’s something fun and silly about this book and it makes me enjoy it. I do like when classic tales like this are re-told for kids, especially if they are done with a bit of humour like this one, and I do think kids will enjoy reading it.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
Read
April 5, 2024A young boy lives with his stepfamily, who mistreats him and makes him do all the household chores. Despite his circumstances, Cinderfella remains kind-hearted and hopeful. His life changes when he attends a grand ball aimed at bringing happiness to everyone, not just the elite.
Cinderfella explores empathy, kindness, the breaking down of traditional gender roles, and the impact of our actions on others.
Discussion Questions
1. How does Cinderfella challenge traditional gender roles found in fairy tales? Discuss having a male protagonist in a story inspired by Cinderella.
2. Cinderfella faces challenges but remains kind and hopeful. Why is kindness important, even in difficult situations?
3. The story highlights the importance of being true to oneself. What does this mean to you?
4. Discuss the role of the magical helper in Cinderfella. How does this character support the story's message of empathy and kindness?
5. The ball in Cinderfella is described as being for everyone in the kingdom. Why is inclusivity important, and how does it affect the characters in the story?
6. Cinderfella's stepfamily treats him unfairly. How does the story show the impact of their actions?
7. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place, like Cinderfella at the ball. How did you overcome this feeling?
Cinderfella explores empathy, kindness, the breaking down of traditional gender roles, and the impact of our actions on others.
Discussion Questions
1. How does Cinderfella challenge traditional gender roles found in fairy tales? Discuss having a male protagonist in a story inspired by Cinderella.
2. Cinderfella faces challenges but remains kind and hopeful. Why is kindness important, even in difficult situations?
3. The story highlights the importance of being true to oneself. What does this mean to you?
4. Discuss the role of the magical helper in Cinderfella. How does this character support the story's message of empathy and kindness?
5. The ball in Cinderfella is described as being for everyone in the kingdom. Why is inclusivity important, and how does it affect the characters in the story?
6. Cinderfella's stepfamily treats him unfairly. How does the story show the impact of their actions?
7. Reflect on a time when you felt out of place, like Cinderfella at the ball. How did you overcome this feeling?
December 15, 2018
A fun modern take on the Cinderella story with three messy brothers, a skateboard, and a helpful dog. We enjoyed it and the gender reversals were done well.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 12, 2022
A modern twist on a well-known fairytales. This time, Cinderfella is being mistreated by his mean brothers! A great read and my Year 5 class loved it!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews