GENRE 2: Joe Cinders retold by Marianne Mitchell and illustrated by Bryan Langdo

Bibliography
Mitchell, Marianne. 2002. Joe Cinders. Illustrated by Bryan Langdo. New York: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 0805065296

Plot Summary
In this southwestern Cinderella story with a twist, Joe Cinders does all the chores while his three mean stepbrothers spend their days being lazy and counting buzzards in the sky. One day, an invitation arrives for a fiesta being thrown my Miss Rosalinda, the richest rancher in the area. Joe’s stepbrothers are determined that one of them will marry Miss Rosalinda, and they refuse to allow Joe to attend the fiesta. On the night of the fiesta, Joe is left at home to watch the cattle. Suddenly, a mysterious stranger in baggy overalls shows up and gives Joe everything he needs to knock Miss Rosalinda off her feet. Joe attends the fiesta, but ends up leaving his red boot behind when he leaves at midnight. In the end, Joe and Miss Rosalinda receive their happily ever after.

Critical Analysis
Mitchell creates a parody of the Cinderella story that follows the traditional storyline and is humorous in its delivery. Many of the elements common to the Cinderella story remain in this retelling: the mean step-siblings, a ball, a fairy godmother character, a lost shoe, and the happily ever after. The male “Cinderella,” Joe Cinders, retains many of the characteristics of a typical female “Cinderella”—hardworking, good, fair, and honest. Though the plot is simple and the “happily ever after” ending is predictable, readers will enjoy the twist at the end when they learn what happens to Joe’s bullying stepbrothers. Once again, good triumphs over evil, though this time it happens in the Southwest rather than in a European village.

The watercolor illustrations created by Bryan Langdo for the book are light and cheerful. Langdo does a nice job of contrasting the sad and overworked “Cinderella” with his mean and bullying stepbrothers. Little details in the illustrations are sure to get a laugh from readers, especially the details added to one of the stepbrothers’ apparel. The beauty of the southwestern landscape is capture in the illustrations and adds to the whimsy and appeal of the story.

Review Excerpt(s)
From Kirkus Reviews – “Mitchell's marvelously funny details, western words, and classic fairy tale base combine to make this a sure winner with readers of all ages.”

From Booklist – “An effective, thorough makeover with plenty of hearty laughs”.

Connections
- Have students compare and contrast this version to well-known typical Cinderella version.
- Have students read other variations of the Cinderella story and have them note common elements among them.
- Students can work with a partner to create their own version of the Cinderella story.
- Have students choose other settings for a Cinderella story and explain how the typical elements of the story would change.