Cinder Edna

                                       By Ellen Jackson

This book acts as a parody for the well-known fairy tale Cinderella. The story compares the tales of two young women: Cinder Ella and Cinder Edna. Cinder Ella portrays a helpless, materialistic, shallow woman, while Cinder Edna portrays a smart, savvy, down-to-earth one. The two characters are compared throughout the tale. Cinder Ella is beautiful, gets waited on by her fairy godmother and meets a just as shallow prince.  She is unable to dance very much because she fears her glass slipper will break. Her prince finds her and they marry leading her to a boring life revolved around her husband. Cinder Edna on the other hand is average looking, earns her own money, and meets the prince's brother Rupert. Rupert, unlike his brother (who marries Cinder Ella) is intelligent, has substance, and values ideas rather than status and wealth.  Rupert finds Cinder Edna by first looking in the phone book, then asking all of the ladies in town who knows six different recipes for tuna casserole (which he knows only the true Cinder Edna would know). Cinder Edna and Rupert get married, pursue education, and build an environmentally friendly cottage together. They are the ones who "live happily ever after." 

Jackson "upgraded" the Cinderella" fairy tale by adding a "twentieth century" spin to the plot.  The character Cinder Edna encourages young female readers to be strong, self-sufficient, and educated. The message that "looks and money" do not acquire happiness certainly holds true here.  Jackson's text is powerful while the illustrations (by Kevin O'Malley) are humorous. This rendition of the fairy tale would be extremely useful when teaching a lesson on building character or positive self-image. This book most likely will appeal to more female students, however male students will enjoy the humor.