Cinder Edna

by Ellen Jackson

Book Overview

"Exuberant and funny--kids will love this version of the familiar story for its humor and vibrant artwork." -- School Library Journal In Cinder Edna , Ellen Jackson and Kevin O'Malley team up to bring young readers the delightful story of what can be done without the help of a fairy godmother. Once upon a time there were two girls who lived next door to each other. Cinder Edna was forced to work for her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, just as her...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688123228
• ISBN13: 9780688123222
• Release Date: April 1994
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Warm-hearted, witty, and reminiscent of the Paper-bag princess

I Loved this book, and so did my two pre-schoolers. It is a great retelling of Cinderella with a modern slant. Cinder Edna and Cinderella are neighbours. While Cinderella pines away and sleeps in the Cinders to keep warm, Edna finds it too dirty and so after she does the work for HER wicked step-mother and step sisters she goes out and cleans bird cages and mows lawns. Cinder Edna is a spunky, fun character - while Cinderella can't get to the ball without her fairy god-mother's help Cinder Edna has organised a dress on Layaway and catches the bus and while there have been discussions I see on here about feminist overtones and environmental issues (all of which are here) the thing I liked most about this is that people really need to earn what they get. We end up rewarded for what we put in. So Cinder Edna and Cinderella really end up with exactly what they put in. I like the concept of consequences and planning. Anyway, this book makes me laugh. some of the lines are priceless - and my kids adore the story so it works well on both adult and child level The illustrations are quite neat - I think they much be pastel, and they have a wonderful 50's kitsch feel about them - the step-mother and step-sisters are extraodinary! I would really recommend this book, it left me with the same feeling the PaperBag Princess did - A real spunky heroine who can look after herself. There are some utterly classic lines in this book

Best picture book ever--great for teens AND kids!

I am a teenager and I read this book as part of an assignment in class. The book of Cinder Edna shows the plasticy-type "teenager," with a perfect, paper thin look, versus the homely, sensible girl with character. Cinderella marries the prince and has to sit through royal meetings and all of that, and Cinder Edna gets to marry the not-so-handsome prince and live happily. and have fun. Any teen like me who ISNT one of the pretty or popular girls will get a boost of self-esteem when they read this book. I would reccomend this book to be in psychologist's offices and anorexic hospitals and the like ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I loved Cinder Edna. Your child will too.

A fun twist on an old wives (fairy) tale.

What a refreshing retelling of an old tale, especially for todays young girls. Being a big-footed mother of a big-footed young daughter, we both enjoyed this fun story. Cinder-Edna doesn't wine around about all that has been bestowed upon her. Instead, she makes the best of the situation and takes matters into her own hands. Spunky and spry, Edna ends up living happily ever after while beautiful Cinderalla lives with her beautiful husband in beautifully boring bliss!

Absolutely hysterical, but can be hard to understand

I am a teacher, and I bought this book for my 3rd grade class when we were doing a unit on Cinderella. This is a fabulous take on the classic story, updated wonderfully. But some of the ideas had to be explained to my children because it was a lot to take in. They didn't get some of the jokes. In the end, I think that most of them got the general idea. The moral is a great lesson for kids these days.

A marvelously funny variation on the Cinderella story

Sure, there are plenty of retellings and variations on "Cinderella", but this one takes the cake. It compares the fates of TWO victims of cruel stepmothers and wicked stepsisters. Bringing the story up to date gives it a deliciously anachronistic feel, and the narrative pokes some sly and well-deserved fun at the original. The hilarious illustrations enhance the text perfectly. Don't let the fact that "Cinder Edna" is aimed at young children keep you away. This is one of the funniest and cleverest books to come along in a long time.