Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella

Author Susan Lowell and illustrator Jane Manning retell that most famous of fairy-tales in this entertaining picture book, transplanting the story of Cinderella to the wild west. When her father remarries the orneriest woman west of the Mississippi, sweet Cindy Ellen finds her life made miserable by this stepmother and her two nasty daughters. When the local cattle king throws a rodeo and square dance, it seems that our heroine won't be able to attend, until her gun-toting fairy godmother appears and gives her all the finery she needs. Winning the heart of Joe Prince, the rodeo champion son of the cattle king, Cindy Ellen flees at midnight, leaving behind her diamond-studded spur. Now Joe must seek his charming love...

I've read a number show more of other titles illustrated by Manning, but Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella is my first book from Lowell, whose family (according to the rear dust-jacket blurb) has lived in the American West since Gold Rush days, and whose other picture books appear to also have a western setting, many of them being transplanted tales like this one. In any case, I found this one amusing. It felt a little over the top at times, but I think the frequent use of western phrases and idioms was quite fun—I even learned that "cayuse" is an archaic western word for an unruly horse, something I never knew before—and the use of horse and rodeo culture to tell the tale entertaining. The artwork was colorful and expressive, matching the humor of the tale. Although I don't think this is destined to become a favorite, of the many Cinderella retellings I have read, I would recommend it to picture book audiences looking for unusual examples of this tale type, or for humorous stories set in the American West. show less

A western twist on the classic Cinderella. The story of Cindy Ellen very closely follows the traditional version. The only difference is the western setting. Instead of a magic wand, the fairy godmother carries a golden pistol. I enjoyed the fun twist on the original fairytale. Taking away the frilly dresses and princess feel of the story makes it more appealing to a male audience as well.

A wild west version of Cinderella complete with rodeos, cowboys and a rootin' tootin' wise-crackin' fairy godmother. Instead of leaving behind a glass slipper, Cindy Ellen loses a jeweled spur.

We've all heard the story of Cinderella time and time again and so ill be honest when I tell you I wasn't too excited about reading this book. That changed a bit once I got started and realized this take is refreshing and that maybe I should lighten up a bit. I think it's important for children to see themselves in the stories they read and let's face it we don't all live the traditional Cinderella lifestyle. The colorful language and washed out illustrations round out this country western fantasy. Overall, I liked this book and defimitely think it's a wonderful addition to the Cinderella catalog.

This is a western re-telling of the Cinderella story. This version takes place in the old west. Instead of a ball they have a rodeo and a square dance. Instead of a glass slipper, Cindy Ellen has diamond studded spurs. Instead of turning a pumpkin into a carriage she rides in a stage coach. This was a fun and refreshing twist on a common fairytale.

My students and I loved this retelling of the classic Cinderella story. Instead of losing a glass slipper, she loses the diamond spur on one of her boots. The author uses dialogue that is what you would expect from Westerns. The illustrations also help to place you in the time frame and setting of the wild west. I also really liked the author's play on the traditional names from the classic Cinderella book.

When sweet Cindy Ellen's father remarries, she and her nasty daughters take to picking on Cindy. This retelling of the traditional Cinderella tale is full of fun. Cindy's fairy godmother helps her get to both the wild and woolly rodeo and the square dance where Cindy Ellen meets the rodeo champion Joe Prince. Cindy must leave at the stroke of midnight, leaving Joe Prince to search for his lost cowgirl. He finds her due to his ambition and her courage. I loved this tale of Cinderella and as much as I read fairytales, they never seem to get old. Style is important in this story. Imagery is lively throughout the whole story. Lowell’s descriptions have left me with visual representation of ideas in my mind. I am left with mental pictures show more about everything. Figurative language was also used in this story. For example, “Cindy’s stepsisters puffed up like two turkey gobblers” and when the godmother was describing how dirty Cindy was she compared her to a flop-eared hound dog. Onomatopoeia was used throughout the story constantly with words such as Bing, bang, zing, and ping. Assonance also takes place in the story when the author writes “Twirling and Swirling.” show less