In this “bibbity-bobbity-boo”–less rendition of the classic film’s plot, Rylant focuses on larger themes—“Every day Cinderella wished for Love”—rather than characters, crafting a lyrical romance free of sympathetic small animals, songs, much dialogue or even (with the titular exception) names. This interpretation suits the art to a tee. Blair was the original concept designer for the movie (and for many other Disney cartoons), and her color sketches, reproduced here as full-page scenes, have less to do with the small, generic figures in each scene than the flow of line and drapery, the lighting and general look of the costumes, the palace and other sets. The visual connection between these rough pictures and the finished film is tenuous at best, and though unusually perceptive children might be able to make it, this is really more of a spin-off than a tie-in. Its main audience will likely be drawn either by nostalgia, curiosity about the animated filmmaking process, or the enduring appeal of the tale itself. (Fairy tale. 7-11)
