Manna, Anthony L. and Christodoula Mitakidou. The Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece. New York: Schwartz & Wade, 2011. Print.
· Authors: Anthony L. Manna and Chistodoula Mitakidou
· Picture Book
· Publication Date: 2011
· Genre: fairy-tale
· Age Range: 4-8 years old
· Awards: None
This revision of Greece’s version of Cinderella (as told by Daskalaki) offers a different view of the typical Cinderella. The protagonist in this version, who interestingly is only referred to as “the orphan”, decides to go and meet the prince as her mother’s spirit suggested. This creates a loose connection between that of the “original” Cinderella story and that of Yeh-shen, since Cinderella goes to meet the prince and Yeh-shen receives advice from the bones of her close friend. After losing her shoe, the Orphan decides to go to the prince and prove she is the owner of the shoe instead of waiting for him to find her. This particular act demonstrates the impact that culture can have on a story. Culture not only refers to different regions of the world, but also to different time periods and the social rules for that particular time period. It is for this reason that this story is a useful tool to help children see the evolution of Cinderella throughout the centuries. This version allows them to see how the “Cinderella” character acts differently from Perrault’s version when compared to this version. Young girls who enjoy adventure stories and fairy-tales are sure to enjoy this version of Cinderella.
Mitakidou’s Website: http://www.randomhousekids.com/authors-illustrators/detail/857#.VFKtIfnF9qU
· Authors: Anthony L. Manna and Chistodoula Mitakidou
· Picture Book
· Publication Date: 2011
· Genre: fairy-tale
· Age Range: 4-8 years old
· Awards: None
This revision of Greece’s version of Cinderella (as told by Daskalaki) offers a different view of the typical Cinderella. The protagonist in this version, who interestingly is only referred to as “the orphan”, decides to go and meet the prince as her mother’s spirit suggested. This creates a loose connection between that of the “original” Cinderella story and that of Yeh-shen, since Cinderella goes to meet the prince and Yeh-shen receives advice from the bones of her close friend. After losing her shoe, the Orphan decides to go to the prince and prove she is the owner of the shoe instead of waiting for him to find her. This particular act demonstrates the impact that culture can have on a story. Culture not only refers to different regions of the world, but also to different time periods and the social rules for that particular time period. It is for this reason that this story is a useful tool to help children see the evolution of Cinderella throughout the centuries. This version allows them to see how the “Cinderella” character acts differently from Perrault’s version when compared to this version. Young girls who enjoy adventure stories and fairy-tales are sure to enjoy this version of Cinderella.
Mitakidou’s Website: http://www.randomhousekids.com/authors-illustrators/detail/857#.VFKtIfnF9qU