CINDERELLA

by Charles Perrault ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1988

A good, smooth retelling of an old favorite, with the familiar details of the original almost intact. In her illustrations, Goode sets the story firmly in late-17th-century France--where Perrault observed the lavish court of Louis XIV--pointing up the wit and satire of his story. There are frills, furbelows, and wigs galore; faces are sly caricatures reflecting greed, superciliousness, complacency, astonishment, and a host of subtler emotions. The metamorphoses in half-a-dozen steps from mouse and lizard to horse and footman are visually intriguing; and Goode's strong sense of design serves her well, as always. This won't take the place of Brown's elegant, more romantic version, but deserves a place beside it. Jessica Lange's narration on the cassette is warm and sympathetic; the background music, doubtless meant to suggest a courtly ball, is distractingly loud and insistent.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1988

ISBN: 1568461305

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S