Southwest Children's  Literature

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Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella

Book Review:

There's no palace out west, but there sure is one rootin'-tootin' rodeo. Susan Lowell brings the well-known story of Cinderella to life with a Western flare. This time Cindy Ellen is not called Cinderella, but "Cinderbottom and Sanderella." Her ugly stepsisters are after Joe Prince, the rich rancher's son, but Cindy Ellen is, too. The characters get to meet Joe Prince twice. The first meetin' is at the Rodeo and then at a Square Dance. Lowell adapted her story from the French version that also has two events.

Jane Manning's illustrations add tasteful color to the story. The pictures are vivid and original. They seem to jump right off the page. To make the story authentic, the fairy godmother has a golden pistol instead of a magic wand, and Cindy Ellen doesn't lose a glass slipper but diamond studded spurs. Manning does a wonderful job of representing these cultural changes with her artwork. The language of the characters also portrays the Wild West.

In the author's notes, Susan Lowell informs the reader of the role of cowgirls and cowboys in the West. She also mentions how ranchers still participate in round-ups and that rodeo is the Spanish word for "round up." She describes the changes that have occurred. For example, she talks about how the cowgirls no longer square dance, but "tap their toes" to country and western music.

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