Walt Disney's Cinderella (Disney's Wonderful World of Reading) (original 1995; edition 1995)

Poor Cinderella is the maid to a mean stepmother and two stepsisters. They made her slave all day for a ball that she wasn't able to go to. Until, of course, Cinderella's fairy Godmother helped her with a little til-midnight magic. Cinderella went to the ball and captured the heart of the Prince but had to leave before the magic wore off. She lost a slipper, which the Duke used to find her for the Prince. And they all lived happily ever after.

I love this story. Classic boy meets girl! I love some of the themes. Looks don't matter. Money doesn't matter. Personality is the key. I love the setting as well. She goes from being a maid to a princess. It's the ultimate American dream. Anyone in America can rise up and make something...anything of themselves.

In a classroom, we could write or create (draw, paint, sculpt) what one thing we would want to leave behind for someone to be able to find us. In this day and age, kids will probably say cell phones or wallets with ID. It has to be something WITHOUT your identity. What one thing is unique enough to you and really describes who you are? I also think we could create Cinderella Castle/a Cinderella slipper out of sugar cubes and rubber cement for fun.

Title: “Cinderella”
Author: Unknown
Summery: “Cinderella,” is about a poor girl who is a slave to her wicked stepmother and two stepsisters. Her only friends are animals. Cinderella never loses hope that someday “her prince will come.” Cinderella’s fairy godmother comes and makes her a beautiful gown to go to the ball in. At the ball the Prince falls in love with Cinderella, but at midnight, Cinderella turns back into her poor self. As she runs away she loses her glass slipper. The prince searches everywhere for the foot that the slipper belongs to. He eventually finds Cinderella and they live happily ever after.
Personal Response: This story is exactly what every girl dreams of. I think that any little girl will love this book. The boys will probably be drawn to the talking animals more than the love. I love this story.
Extensions:
1) The teacher can have the students compare this story to other traditional literature.
2) The teacher could teach the students a dance that is appropriate for a ball.
3) The students could dress up and reenact the play. ( )