Product Description

Hilary Knight imbues the story of Cinderella with characters of the same humor, zest, and personality that have made generations of children and grown-ups fall in love with his most famous creation: Eloise. A pair of pet cats, a blue fairy godmother, and an endearing, if somewhat overweight, Prince Charming are just a few of the delightful details that dance across these pages—right into readers’ hearts—in this thoroughly charming, sometimes surprising, and always original version of the classic fairy tale.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #307560 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-25
• Released on: 2001-09-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Amazon.com Review
It's hard to make a story as old and oft-told as Cinderella fresh again. Yet Hilary Knight, best known for his Eloise illustrations, manages to apply his unique wit and familiar illustrative style to the fairy tale while retaining the magic of the original story. Cinderella is lovely, of course, and her nasty sisters are pointy-nosed and outrageously vain. But Knight's depiction of Prince Charming provides a happy departure from tradition: he's pudgy and, well, kind of goofy looking. Modern readers will like Cinderella's slightly more brazen ways, too; although still demure, Cinderella steps right out of the kitchen when the prince arrives at her house with the glass slipper. "Let me try," she says, much to her stepmother and sisters' horror. Astute readers will enjoy picking up on subtle details: the tiny fairy godmother hiding under Cinderella's pumpkin-like stool, Cinderella's mother's gravestone in the front yard, and poor, beleaguered Cinderella's chore list next to the invitation to the Prince's ball. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly
Hilary Knight remains true to the original in his retelling of Cinderella. First published in 1978, his subdued hues and robust, stylized drawings create a once-upon-a-time enchantment.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
reS-Gr 2-This newly illustrated version of a 1981 text follows the bare bones of Charles Perrault's story, but with the addition of a versifying godmother. The pen-and-watercolor pictures show the gravestone of Cinderella's mother by the front doorway and the unpleasant stepsisters constantly bickering. Cinderella looks like a sweet `60s model as she goes about her work, and the prince seems like a pudgy fop. The story ends with the stepsisters forgiven and, if the pictures are any indication, happy to wait hand and foot on the newlyweds. All in all, a workaday version of the popular tale.

Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Fresh and Enchanting.....
We've all heard the Cinderella story many, many times...the mean stepmother, the ugly stepsisters, a kind fairy godmother who works her magic so that Cinderella can go to the ball, and of course, the handsome prince. Hilary Knight has taken this old fairy tale and given it a gentler, fresh and engaging new life. His simple and easy to read text is delightfully entertaining. But it's Mr Knight's marvelous illustrations that really make this picture book stand out. His expressive artwork, in warm and lovely subdued tones, is enchanting and filled with charming and humorous detail. Together, word and art transport children to a magical once-upon-a-time place. Perfect for youngsters 4 and older, Hilary Knight's Cinderella is a wonderful read aloud story the entire family can share, and is sure to bring happily-ever-after dreams to all your little ones.

Cinderella
Everybody is familiar with the fairy tale "Cinderella", and there are literally dozens upon dozens of different editions out there. What attracted me to this particular version was the fact it was written and illustrated by Hilary Knight---who I recognized as the illustrator of the "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" books by Betty McDonald. Many things make this book stand out: first of all our prince is not the typical tall, dark and handsome type but rather short, round and freckle-faced and our fairy godmother is a little blue sprite. The drawings are very lovely and my favorite picture is the one where Cinderella stares longingly at the invitation to the royal ball on the table while in the background her wicked stepsisters fight over clothing. I especially like the way Mr. Knight makes the stepsisters look spoiled and mean, but at the same time rather comical---their facial expressions are great! However, my one criticism of the book is that the ending is too simplified and a bit unrealistic, which is why I rated it three stars.

Gorgeous drawings pair with a simplified story line
Hilary Knight's beautiful and warm drawings are the feature here, bringing the timeless story of Cinderella to life. The gorgeous drawings pair with a simplified story line which will appeal to young picturebook audiences.