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.