If the Shoe Fits

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal

A Worldwide Cinderella

Written by: Paul Fleischman

Illustrated by: Julie Paschkis

Henry Holt and Company, 2007

32 pages

Traditional Fiction

With the death of Cinderella's father comes living with her evil stepmother and two stepsisters. When Prince Charming hosts a ball, Cinderella is forbidden to go because of her duties as a maid. She does not let this stop her. Her very own Fairy Godmother and animal friends come to her rescue and she ends up going to the ball. In her hurry to get home before her stepmother and stepsisters, one of her glass slippers slips off. We all know this version of Cinderella, but do we know Mexico's, Korea's, Iraq's, Russia's, Iran's, India's,Ireland's, Zimbabwe's, Germany's, Appalachia's, Laos', Indonesia's, China's, Japan's, France's, or Poland's?

The illustrations were done in Winsor & Newton gouaches, which is a type of watercolor paint that contains an added white powder to create a more opaque finish. They are very bright and colorful. Both straight and curved lines are present, all of which are bold. The texture appears to be smooth.

I chose Social Studies as my subject and second grade as my level. I would use this as a diversity project and have the students study on their version of Cinderella. I would have them prepare posters that represent their versions and how they differ from at least one other culture's.