Cinderella by Cynthia Rylant

Walt Disney’s Cinderella
Retold by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Mary Blair
Disney Press, 2007

I really never thought I’d write this review. I don’t spend time ranting about books I don’t like. I really thought I wouldn’t like this book. But I loved it. I will admit Disney’s name on the front of the book biased me against it. Cynthia Rylant’s name on it convinced me to give it a chance. Honestly, I got through the whole book and wondered, “Hmm, what is the Disney connection here.” Yes, it was that good. The front flap lets you know that Mary Blair was the original painter for the Disney Cinderella movie when it came out many moons ago. Disney Press published it. But the Disney saccharine didn’t mess with Cynthia Rylant’s unbelievable writing. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever felt the beauty of this story until I read this retelling.

Here is an excerpt from the scene of the night of the ball and Cinderella wishes she could go:

“Tears have a wondrous magic about them. They often change everything. And for Cinderella, on this night, tears created a miracle.”

Cynthia Rylant spreads her magic of the story with her words, but she also clearly articulates the theme of the story: Love.

Beautifully written! Disney got something right this time around—they hired a phenomenal spinner of tales to bring this story to life again.