Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story

by Tomie dePaola

Book Overview

Hace mucho tiempo--a long time ago--there lived a beautiful young woman named Adelita. So begins the age-old tale of a kindhearted young woman, her jealous stepmother, two hateful stepsisters, and a young man in search of a wife. The young man, Javier, falls madly in love with beautiful Adelita, but she disappears from his fiesta at midnight, leaving him with only one clue to her hidden identity: a beautiful rebozo--shawl. With the rebozo in place of a glass slipper, this favorite fairy tale takes a delightful twist. Tomie dePaola's exquisite paintings, filled with the folk art of Mexico, make this a Cinderella story like no other. Please note that the majority of this text is in English, with Spanish vocabulary throughout.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142401870
• ISBN13: 9780142401873
• Release Date: August 2004
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 9.0" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Love it

We love this book! An interesting story with a nice mix of Spanish and English (but not so much Spanish that it's overwhelming). We read it often.

Very fast shipping; book in pristine condition!!

Thank you so much for getting the book to me so quickly and in perfect condition. Tomie de Paola is one of my favorites and this is helping me collect all of his books at long last.

Great book

I teach 5th grade and used this book when teaching about archetypal characters. My students and I both loved this book! This Cinderella story was creative and kept the students interested. The illustrations were fantastic. I am taking the book home to read to my three and a half year old who I know will just love this book, too!

A Mexican Fairytale

Adelita is a Mexican Cinderella at the mercy of her cruel stepmothers and stepsisters. You know the story. The difference is that Mr. de Paola uses Mexican culture to breathe new life into a often tired old story. The result is a beautifully witten and illustrated adaptation rich with language and culture that makes it a true joy to read to my little ones. My four year old daughter loves this story and has me check it out from the library over and over again. (I think it's time to buy her her own copy.) I especially love reading the Spanish phrases which not only educates, but makes the story even more authentic. You will enjoy this tremendously.

Great cultural twist to Cinderella!

This is a wonderful book for teaching the familiar unit of "Cinderella Around the World." I read it to my class and they loved it. This book also provides wondeful cultural references about Latin American culture, especially Mexican culture. I am Mexican and I felt that it was authentic. Additionally it has some Spanish phrases you can teach children or at least introduce the concept. The illustrations are also beautiful.

A Mexican Cinderella Story.....

Poor Adelita. Her mother died in childbirth, her adoring father soon remarried a mean and jealous woman with two awful daughters, and then he unfortunately die, too. Adelita was now all alone in the world, living with an unloving, cruel family. Soon, she was relegated to the position of servant and sent to live in the kitchen, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of her stepmother's and stepsisters' every want, wish, and need. One day an invitation arrived for a fiesta at Senor Gordillo's hacienda to celebrate the homecoming of his son, Javier..... Tomie dePaola takes the old and familiar Cinderella story, and gives it a clever and humorous, south of the border twist. This is a much more realistic retelling. There's no pumpkin coach, fairy godmother, or glass slipper, but the magic of the Cinderella theme shines through with charm and wit. Mr dePaola's lively text is heartwarming and engaging, and sprinkled with Spanish words and phrases. But it's his vibrant and expressive artwork that really make this picture book stand out and sparkle. Each page is a feast for the eyes, filled with warm colors, dazzling Mexican folk art designs, and marvelous eye-catching detail. Young and old alike, will want to linger and explore each illustration before turning the page. Perfect for youngsters 4-8, Adelita is a wonderful addition to the collection of Cinderella stories. This is Tomie dePaola at his very best, and a must-have for all home libraries.