As a writer, I have a special place in my heart for children's fiction. I have loads of memories of myself reading picture books, leaving my grubbing fingerprints on the pages, and mouthing bigger words aloud to myself. I didn't always understand what the words meant, but when I did, it thrilled me down to my toes. I use to beg my mother to read to me at night, and when she finally agreed to curl up with me and my stuffed animals, I would then shove my favorite book her her face and then sit in her lap. Although she had the sense to occasionally pick something else to read and expand my literary repertoire, my favorite childhood story would have to be Cinderella. 

Written by Charles Perrault, retold by Amy Ehrlich, and illustrated by Susan Jeffers, this picture book is, by far, the best told fairytale in my collection. (And being a librarian, my collection is huge by most standards). Although in terms of language and style, there isn't much that makes this version stand out. It's simple and charming. Easy enough for a young reader to comprehend, but not so watered down that it becomes less of a story and more of a smattering of three letter words. The illustrations, however, are breathtaking. I can't help but marvel at the loving pen lines and remarkable details put into each sketch. The little redbird that pops up on almost every page was like finding a present, a special secret to the person who could find it in the corner of one or hiding at the top of another.

I don't even remember the first time my mother opened it's pages, but over twenty years later, I still have that first copy she gave to me. It's cover is missing. Several pages have small tears near the bottom from when I'd turn the page too fast. It's battered but well-loved, and I wouldn't trade the book for anything--not even a newer cleaner copy of the same story. If anything, I love it more now than I did as a child because of the sheer amount of nostalgia that comes over mean whenever I open up the cover. It represents a time when I believed that fairytale endings were possible. That good always shone through in the end. That the princess really does marry her prince and live happily ever after.

And one day, I will read it to my daughter.

Now I know that at this point, I don't have a lot of followers on this blog. But to you who happens to stumble upon this entry, I hope you take my advice and search out a copy for your own children. It really is one of those select few books that bring about something special and magical in the lives of young children. It's not the mindless Disney-fied version, but a unique retelling in its own right. It's captivating and enchanting and meant to be read for years and years to come.

And to not appear as though I'm the only one praising this book, here are a few more reviews:

Synopsis:

'Cinderella', the most popular of all fairy tales, first appeared in print in 1697 in a French Collection by Charles Perrault. Anthea Bell's graceful translation of this classic tale is faithful to the original yet accessible to today's children. It is a timeless story of virtue rewarded.

Review:
In this kinder, gentler version of the old French fairy tale, the poor cinderwench forgives her stepsisters in the end and gives them a home in her palace. This Cinderella is pretty, but not perfect, and instead of having the tiniest feet in the kingdom, she in fact has wide
feet (which fit the glass slipper nonetheless). From the details of the ball gowns to the trees of jewels glittering at the palace, Susan Jeffers's glowing, imaginative artwork is breathtaking. Jeffers has illustrated many fairy tales, as well as the popular McDuff books. With pen and ink and brilliant colors, she creates paintings of exquisite detail and clarity, wonderfully showcased by this book's large format and abundant full-page illustrations. The magical transformation of Cinderella into a beautiful princess never fails to capture the imagination of young ones, and this lovely edition is sure to be a hit. (Ages 5 to 7)-Abebooks.com

Cinderella's transformation from poor girl to princess never fails to captivate young ones, and this stellar retelling, exquisitely illustrated by Susan Jeffers, is a must for every library. When the original version of this book was published in 1985, Publishers Weekly called it "a treasure for all ages," and The New York Times declared, "Fairy-tale aficionados will be mesmerized." For this hardcover reissue, Susan Jeffers retouched her pen-and- ink and dye illustrations, making them even richer. Her brilliant artwork is showcased in a new interior design featuring a fifth-color gold border. Embossed gold foil type on the jacket of this large-format picture book trumpets the arrival of the girl who went from rags to riches.--Amazon.com

Charles Perrault’s timeless tale of the cinderwench is retold by Amy Ehrlich. Cinderella’s father remarried and her stepmother and two stepsisters treated her poorly and made her work all day. The prince held a ball and Cinderella wanted to go. Her fairy godmother came and magically transformed a pumpkin, mice, rats, and frogs to a fancy equipage for Cinderella to drive to the ball. At the ball Cinderella shares orange slices with her stepsisters who do not recognize her. She attends again the next night, but forgets the time and leaves behind a glass slipper. The prince declares he’ll marry the lady who fits the slipper and of course Cinderella does. Cinderella is not vindictive and finds a place a court for her two stepsisters. The ink and pen illustrations are eye-catching and lovely. EL – ADVISABLE. Samantha, Public Librarian.

So if you happen to be shopping around in an old book store and see this book lying lonely and forgotten on some back shelf. DO NOT pass it by. Pick it up. Wipe the dust off it's cover, and behold the beautiful illustrations for yourself. Take it home. Read it. Love it. Cherish it.