Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because I think this is a great “book for boys” and I really like how the Cinderella story is re-told.
Seriously, Cinderella Is SO Annoying!; The Story of Cinderella as Told by the Wicked Stepmother
By Trisha Sue Speed Shaskan
Illustrated by Gerald Guerlais
24 pages – ages 5+
Published by Picture Window Books on August 1, 2011
Theme/Topic – Fairy Tales / Books for Boys / Point of View
Opening and Synopsis – “You must have heard of me. The wicked stepmother? Not true. It’s just another one of Cinderella’s wild stories. Not as wild as the one about the pumpkin. And the fairy godmother. The real story, the true story, began with some chatter – and some dust.”
I’m sure you know the tale of Cinderella, but did you ever wonder what the wicked misunderstood stepmother thought? I’m sure you never hear about Cindy’s non-stop talking and blabbering about all kinds of silly stuff like blue birds that help you sew and mice that turn into horses. The poor stepmother had no idea what she was getting herself into when she agreed to marry Cindy’s father.
Why I liked this book – This book is an awesome “book for boys.” It’s a pretty funny book also. The story reminded me of the “Fractured Fairytales.” What I really liked about it is that the story is very different when you hear it from the stepmother! So which version of the story is true?!? It is good to remember that different people can see the same story in a completely different way.
Activities and Resources –
There is a page at the end of the book called “Think About It” with questions and activities related to the book. Like “How would other fairy tales change if they were told from another point of view?”
I found a great make your own fractured fairy tales activity or to read a fairy tale and think about it in a different way at the “Read Write Think” website. Click HERE to go to it.
There are also other re-told fairy tales in the series that have other points of view too –
Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten!; The Story of Little Red Riding Hood as Told by the Wolf
Trust Me, Jack’s Beanstalk Stinks!;The Story of Jack and the Beanstalk as told by the Giant
Believe Me, Goldilocks ROCKS!; The story of the Three Bears as told by Baby Bear
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE
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Categories: Age 6-9
I love the idea of a familiar fairy tale being told by a different character, and can imagine how VERY different the story of Cinderella would be from the wicked misunderstood stepmother’s point of view. I guess I’m cynical that I’m still more inclined to believe Cinderella’s version… 😉 Great activities, Erik! I feel like trying my hand at a fractured fairy tale now! (Hmmm… maybe for my June 12×12 manuscript?)
That is such a COOL idea Ms. Stilborn! It would be cool to pick a fairy tale that maybe isn’t so popular or maybe write your own and then “fracture” it 😉
Hi Erik! I love the different perspective that these books take. Cinderella’s stepmother probably has a valid case there. 🙂 I have always thought fairy tale villains to be quite misunderstood. The illustrations look really fun, too.
HA HA! I agree, I think the villains get a bad reputation 😉 The illustrations are nice all through the book!
I’ve seen a lot of re-told fairy tales, Erik, but I’ve never seen this one. It sound terrific! I love that it’s great for boys and humorous. And it’s so true – changing the POV character, the setting, the time, or any number of other key elements can give you a whole new story! So fun! Thanks for sharing – not just the one you reviewed, but the others as well!
I thought it was a really cool story 🙂 I didn’t read the others in the series, I just thought they sounded as funny as the one I read. I asked my mom if we can find the other books too!
This is really cool…another perspective, great for kids.
Thanks Dr. Clune! 🙂
Lol, I’ve heard “Three Little Pigs” from the wolf’s point of view before. It was pretty funny. This reminds me of an activity I like to do during school visits. To demonstrate how plot, characters and setting are so woven together in a story, we change one of them (like set Red Riding Hood in NYC) and see how the whole thing would have to change. Fun!
I did this same thing with a collection of Bible stories for the children’s program I direct at church. Like I wrote one from the perspective of a sailor on board with Jonah. It’s called, you guessed it, “Another Perspective.”
That is an interesting perspective! I wonder if the sailor wanted to throw Jonah overboard or not?
That’s a cool idea Mrs. Isenhoff! It would be fun to re-write a story like that!
These all sound super, Erik. Fractured fairy tales are sll the rage, but there’s only so many versions anyone will read before they are ovrrdone. Kudos to those who got in quick.
I agree. I wish I’d thought of these. So cool! I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be the “IN” thing, but teachers and schools DO love them because they have to teach fairy tales (in NC anyway) and having the fractured fairy tales helps to teach story elements. (Thanks, Erik, for the recommendation!)
They are a funny idea! Thanks Ms. Wild!! 🙂
I have seen a bunch of re-told fairy tales. I thought this one was good because it made me think of how the stepmother would tell the story. Thanks Ms. Johnson! 🙂
Getting a different perspective on things always adds something interesting to a tale. Like the movie Hoodwinked. Loved that movie and these re-told fairy tales sound like fun reads.
I liked that movie – especially the Granny 🙂
While it looks like this might be a bit above Enzo’s age range now, I’m putting this on my future list. I always take note of an awesome book for boys.
I think Enzo will like this boy book when he is old enough! 🙂
I love fairy tales that have a new twist or angle, like a new POV, setting, or perspective. This sounds terrific. Onto the library list it goes! And thanks for sharing a link to ReadWriteThink. I linked to them this week, too. I used their lessons all the time as a teacher and it is a fabulous resource.
I just found that website when I was looking for activities 🙂 I think it is a good site too! I have to check out your post 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
What a hilarious series! I have to admit, sometimes I am over the whole princess thing. This looks like a fun twist.
The book was really hilarious! I asked my mom to find the other books in the series because I want to read them too! Thanks Ms. Larson!
AHHHH! I love the idea of the step-mother’s view! How funny and entertaining. And…a sneaky way to get kids to think of life in someone else’s shoes.
That’s what I really liked about it – you have to think about how the stepmother felt -what about the stepsister? What about the mice getting changed into horses?!? hee hee
The title of this book drew me in, for sure! You are right, every story has at least two sides and it is important for us to value other points of view. Great pick, Erik.
I really liked the title too! The title is what made me pick the book up!
Hahaha, I bet this one is really funny! Love the other titles too!
It is really funny… and Cinderella is SO annoying 😉
Sounds like a fun book, Erik…and I appreciate the link!
Thank you Ms. Del Boccio!
I’m guessing these are e-books?
Nope, they are regular books. The one I have is paperback. I don’t know if they were made in hard back or if they come in ebook form.
Just that since there were only 24 pgs, and I couldn’t find it at my library I assumed the ‘worst’! Only for me – I don’t have any ebook devices.
I bought it at my local bookstore (you can click on the book cover to go to the website) and I also saw it on Amazon.
Great selection Erik! Think I’ve only seen one fractured fairy tale! What fun to try to write one! Think you’ve opened all of our eyes to a different perspective. I have read Wicked and Son of a Witch– both very dark,but good. Sorry I’ve not been commenting much. It isn’t easy on an iPad. Will be home soon.
Thank you Ms. Tilton! I understand your dilemma with the iPad. I hope you are having a nice trip! 😀
This is a very funny verson. Have to admit tho I still love Cinderalla’s…. LOL. Thankyou for sharing all these wonderful stories with us.
It is VERY VERY funny! “Cindy”‘s version is good though. I am glad you like them!
Oh my goodness, Erik! What fun! I will definitely have to read ALL of the books you mentioned…I always loved fairy tales…but now, as an adult, I think I would really appreciate seeing them from the “other” side. I know kids would find them hilarious also! Thanks for such a great freview and resource/acitvity list!
I am glad you like the idea of the book and the activities I listed! I would love to read the others too! I hope you like them!
These books remind me of another book I love: “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”. It always makes me laugh. Great selection!
I like the book “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”. I think you would like these books too! I am glad you like my selection!
Erik, this looks like a great book. I think my son would love it and hearing things from another point of view is always a good thing.
A2Z Mommy and What’s In Between
I hope your son likes it! It is also really, really funny!
I want to read all of these! Fractured fairy tales are a favorite of mine! Thanks for the great review, Erik!
They are VERY funny and I like how they make you think about the story from another character’s point of view! 🙂
sounds hilarious! I like books written with a different POV. If you haven’t already read it, check out “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. I think you will really like it. http://floweringminds.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/the-true-story-of-the-3-little-pigs/
Hi Erik, my comments would be a month too late, but since our family and I have been traveling, I haven’t had time to really sit down and visit my favorite bloggers such as yourself, so I’m trying to go through your old posts and catch up. I lovelovelove fractured fairy tales, and this sounds like so much fun! You had me at the title alone. We did have a theme in GatheringBooks about fractured fairy tales or postmodern retelling of beloved tales. Had i known about this book then, I would have included it in our featured books. 🙂
I hope you had a nice trip! I like the pictures you took and posted! I love fractured fairy tales too! I really like this book! I think you would like it! 😀