Cinderella's Stepsister and the Big Bad Wolf

Reviewed by: Barbara Merritt - Scarborough School Department, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 14, 2015

Review

In this fractured fairy tale mashup, Cinderella actually has a third stepsister. Gertie is very unlike her lazy sisters and, in this story Cinderella as well. Gertie is kind and hardworking, making her family ashamed of her and hiding her away. When the invitation to the ball arrives, the family decides in order for Gertie to go, she needs to learn to be mean. She is sent off to various fairy tale meanies for lessons, but manages to spoil all of their plans. In the end, she teams up with the Big Bad Wolf to get ready for the ball, while Cinderella is made into a mouse. Illustrations are colorful, with a French feel--see the building where they live and the beret perched on Gertie's head. Facial expressions are very dramatic in all characters. The wolf's ball gown is hilarious. Given that teachers are asking more and more for fractured fairy tales, this would be a good book to add to your collection.

Overall Book Score: very good