Cinder Edna

Cinderella gets the twin treatment in this picture book retelling from author Ellen Jackson and illustrator Kevin O'Malley. While Cinderella bewails her much put-upon state, and the fact that she is worked like a servant by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, her practical next door neighbor Cinder Edna, in the same exact position, takes a more positive, can-do attitude. Cinder Edna turns lemons into lemonade, learning useful skills from her drudgery and finding the time to do work for the neighbors as well, to earn her own money. When the king gives a ball, neither girl is permitted to go, but both manage it—Cinderella with the help of her fairy godmother, Cinder Edna with her own work and gumption. Both girls meet a prince, both show more fall in love, and both are sought afterward by their beau, but only one lives happily ever after...

I've been reading quite a few Cinderella retellings recently, both of a traditional and a transplanted/fractured kind. While I tend to prefer the former, there are some cases in which the latter turns out to be a delightful surprise. Shirley Hughes' Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella, for instance, was a lovely version, one which transplanted the story through time, and also offered an alternative ending. When done right, this kind of things can be quite charming. Unfortunately, Cinder Edna doesn't fall into that category, most likely because the storyteller seems to have a healthy—or perhaps one should say, unhealthy—dose of contempt for the original tale and its heroine. Here Cinderella is dim, full of self-pity, too reliant on the help of her fairy godmother, too attracted to shallow characteristics in her prince, etc, etc. Her manifold flaws are contrasted with the down-to-earth Cinder Edna, who wins the true prize, according to the narrator here. The result is a book that is very unappealing, both because it has a nasty, self-righteous undertone, but also because it misunderstands the story it is retelling, and ignores Cinderella's traditional virtues—her kindness, her patience in the face of extreme provocation. As should be obvious, I didn't enjoy this one from a storytelling perspective, and I also didn't particularly enjoy it visually, as the illustrations weren't to my taste. I'm quite disappointed, as I have enjoyed other books by both these creators, and requested this one through interlibrary loan. Unfortunately, not recommended. show less

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella, but what about that of her neighbor Cinder Edna? Like her more famous cohort, Cinder Edna has a wicked stepmother and is forced to do many chores. But instead of lamenting that fact, Cinder Edna uses it as a way to teach herself to try and do many things. When it's time for the royal ball, she makes her own dress and meets a younger prince who is interested in all the things she knows and likes, not just the way she looks. When it comes time to marry, Cinderella is quickly bored with her royal life of doing nothing, while Cinder Edna and her prince choose to make themselves busy with many hobbies and tasks.

This is a lovely twist on the traditional fairy tale of rags to riches. It inspires girls show more (and boys) to care more about abilities and attitude than about beauty and luck. The text is on the lengthy side and familiarity with the Cinderella story is recommended, so this book would probably be best for older elementary school-age children. The illustrations complement the text nicely. show less

In this different take on the Cinderella story, there are 2 damsels: a dry, boring, helpless complainer named Cinderella, and a spunky do-it-yourself-er named Cinder Edna. Cinderella is depicted as a passive whiner, while Cinder Edna does a much better job of making the most of her situation (they both have a wicked stepmother and stepsisters). Cinder Edna likes the prince’s brother, Rupert, much better because they have interesting conversations and share jokes together. Cinderella gets her prince, and they seem to live a boring life; Cinder Edna and Rupert, on the other hand, also end up together, but are genuinely be happy. A good story to make you stop and think about what makes for “happily ever after.”

This is a hilarious twist on Cinderella fairytale! In the book, next door to Cinderella lives Cinder Edna, who is not as pretty, but smarter and spunkier than her neighbor. They both clean up after their stepmothers and step sisters, but Cinder Edna works on the side, learns to cook different dishes (16 kinds of casserole), learns how to play accordion and how to tell jokes. When the time comes for the ball, Edna uses her own money for the dress, while Cinderella gets her god mother make her one magically, along with a carriage. Edna takes a bus. At the ball Edna gets bored with the prince but falls in love with his younger brother, who is just as kind, funny, goofy and corky as she is. They hit it off and talk, dance and laugh all show more night; he loves casserole. After girls run off at 12, the princes look for them across their land. When they finally find their loves, they bring them back to palace, and both coupes get married. Cinderella ends up having a boring and miserable life just sitting around with her husband who loves showing odd his chin, while Edna has the best time of her life and a true "happily ever after". I absolutely love this book. It is very inspiring and empowering for girls. It teaches that it is not all about looks, but about your effort and attitude. And that it is better to find someone who shares same interest and fun, then a handsome prince who only cares about how he looks. I would read it to my daughter if I had one! show less

Reread the copy I found at the thrift store. Still my favorite 'fractured' Cinderella fairy tale. Funny, and extremely liberating and satisfying. Who knew we'd feel more sorry for Cinderella *after* her wedding than before it? But there's certainly no pity needed for Cinder Edna!

Next door to Cinderella lives Cinder Edna, who's in a similar situation (evil stepmother, spoiled bratty step-sisters, a life of servitude, etc.). Edna may not be beautiful and may not have a fairy godmother, but she is resourceful enough to become her *own* fairy godmother. Who really gets the happy ending?

This is an excellent subversion of the classic fairy tale. Thanks to Sam C. for the recommendation!

This clever and completely modern take on the classic Cinderella story is a welcome and hilarious addition. Cinder Edna is Cinderella’s neighbor, and while Cinderella is feeling sorry for herself and relying upon her fairy godmother, Cinder Edna is working extra jobs and putting her ball gown on lay-away. She falls for a recycling, environmentally green prince, while Cinderella falls for the shallow and boring brother. As the brothers look for their future princesses they each have the girls’ shoes, one a fancy slipper, the other a sensible penny loafer. Mothers will appreciate the feminist view and the self-empowerment that Cinder Edna so effectively displays. She is quite a special character, and one that is a great role model for show more little girls. show less