CinderElephantOne Phat Princess

3 star

By Emma Dodd
Scholastic, $16.99, 32 pages

Ever think that fairy tales needed more Fat Jokes? Cinderelephant by Emma Dodd is a lighthearted take on the classic tale of Cinderella with animals taking the leading parts. The stepsisters are warty warthog cousins to Cinderella. The Fairy Godmother is a no nonsense magical mouse. Cinderella is an elephant as is the prince who falls madly in love with her. The twist in this story is that the prince loves Cinderella not because she is some waifish ideal of beauty, but because she is the one girl in the kingdom he wont crush with his dance moves. This is the fairy tale that should be shared with children when they are at that age when Your – Mama jokes are more entertaining than traditional fairy tales, but they still crave that happy ending. Ms. Dodd’s larger than life illustrations are sparkly enough to make the whole animal kingdom take notice, and those shoes are not easily filled.

Reviewed by Rachelle Barrett

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