Within four days, the date-tree had grown as tall as a woman, and out of it came a Fairy, who said to Zezolla, “What do you wish for?” Before Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, Basile penned the first modern literary version of the Cinderella fairytale. It is the story of Zezolla, the daughter of an Italian Prince, who is betrayed by her governess and forced to live the life of a servant—that is until the King announces a feast. With assistance from a date-tree given to her by the Fairies of Sardinia, Zezolla is able to attend the feast and her life is forever changed. In addition, this book contains The She-Bear—a close variant of The Cat Cinderella, also from Giambattista Basile’s The Pentamerone—for an English readership to enjoy. [Folklore Type: ATU-510: Cinderella and Catskin – A + B (Persecuted Heroine + Unnatural Love)]

OF COURSE you think Cinderella was the sweetest belle of the ball. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you...

Although mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella meets her prince with the help of her fairy godmother.

"We all think we know the story of Cinderella. We know about the ugly sisters and the amazing glass slippers. And we know about the handsome Prince and the way he chooses his bride to be by the size of her feet! But this is the real story of Cinderella, about a very different and very modern Cinderella who happens to be a princess already and goes on to become a royal rock star - and yes, she eventually does find a suitable "fella". This is told in Alan Trussell-Cullen's humorous verse and depicted for us in Philip Webb's lively and fun illustrations"--Publisher information.

Isabelle Adriani, writer, journalist and actress continues her now twenty- year study of fairy tales. Her initial degree including a thesis on the DNA of Fairy Tales was followed by PhD research in the same field. Intrigued by the ever-loved story of Cinderella (more than 300 versions of the story have spread all around the world) she now takes us 2650 years back in time in a marvelous narrative exploration of the first, real Cinderella in history, Rhodopis the rosy-cheeked, a Greek slave girl who married a Pharaoh and all because of a shoe. Ultimately, the Cinderella story is not that of an individual person, but rather of a spirit that lives within all of us, no matter what our culture is or which part of the world we come from. From the earliest versions, the odds are stacked against Cinderella - the name derives from cinder or ash - who is born low class and sold into slavery. Nonetheless, she is transformed into an independent, empowered, self-made woman. Her story unites us all in the knowledge that, despite our individual and societal limitations, color, language, space and time, we can and should continue to fight for justice and equality. A better life. A better world.

"This is a story about darkness and light, about sorrow and joy, about something lost and something found. This is a story about love." Cinderella's story has been told over and over, but never has it been touched by the kind of magic created by the contributors of this book. Mary Blair painted the original pictures for Walt Disney's incomparable animated film, and here her elegant art is gathered together as a picture book. Cynthia Rylant's stories about hardscrabble lives have won not only awards and honors, but hearts. Who better to take a young girl from the darkness of her garret room to the light and brilliance of a ballroom? Together these two great artists have created something quite astonishing: a Cinderella that is breathtaking, heartrending, and joyous, both for those who are coming to the tale for the very first time, and for those who think they know it well.

A beautifully imagined adaptation of the Brothers Grimm classic fairy tale, in soft, sparkling illustrations.

“What would the world look like if girls grew up reading fairytales made from the magic they carry inside themselves? Breathtakingly beautiful, is what.” —Lidia Yuknavich, national bestselling author In her debut children’s book, Rebecca Solnit reimagines a classic fairytale with a fresh, feminist Cinderella and new plot twists that will inspire young readers to change the world, featuring gorgeous silhouettes from Arthur Rackham on each page. In this modern twist on the classic story, Cinderella, who would rather just be Ella, meets her fairy godmother, goes to a ball, and makes friends with a prince. But that is where the familiar story ends. Instead of waiting to be rescued, Cinderella learns that she can save herself and those around her by being true to herself and standing up for what she believes. “Being a princess is absolutely fine if that’s what you choose. It’s having those choices taken away from you that make for big problems. Cinderella in Solnit’s book is given that choice. She’s allowed to say what her dreams are, and then she goes out and attains them. And they’re not huge ridiculous dreams but small, happy, manageable ones. Ultimately, that’s the gift Ms. Solnit is giving kids with this book.” —School Library Journal “This is a reminder of hope and possibility, of kindness and compassion, and—perhaps most salient—imagination and liberty. Through the imaginations of our childhoods, can we find our true selves liberated in adulthood?” —Chelsea Handler “This is, hands down, a wonderful book—one that even the jaded reader will clasp upon completion with a contented sigh.” —The New York Times

This book is about the reshaping of women's lives, loves and dreams. It tells the story of how expectations and emotional landscapes have shifted since 1950, when marriage was a major determinant of female life chances and teenage girls dreamed of Mr Right and happy endings.