Independent Reading Level: Grades K-3

Readers young and old will enjoy this fresh look at the age-old tale in which an urban-dwelling Cinder-Elly used the help of a trash can, a copy machine, and even a glass sneaker to find her Prince Charming. With a jazzily rhthmic, rhyming text and quirky, funny illustrations, this version of the familiar favorite is irresistible.

In the spinoff of Cinderella, Cinder-Elly by Frances Minters, a girl named Elly is taunted and left out by her two older sisters. The innocent Elly was invited to go to a basketball game along with her sisters, but was told not to go because she had nothing to wear and no money for clothes. Luckily, Elly's godmother saved the day by making sure Elly had beautiful clothes and a ride to the game. The only catch was that Elly needed to be home by 10 at night, or the clothes and ride would disappear. The star basket ball player took interest in Elly and wanted to meet with her after the game. Sadly, 10 pm rolled around and Elly was back in her old clothes and had to run home from the game. The basketball player found one of Elly's glass sneakers and didn't stop until he found the girl who's foot fit in it. He finally found her everything worked out for the best! ( )

This book is about an urban twist to the fairy tale Cinderella. This book I would use for grades first through third. I would use this book to work with rhyming and treating people nicely. ( )

In this book, the author puts a unique 90s rap spin on the classic folktale. Elly is a girl who lives in New York and wants to go to a basketball game that her older sisters are going to. The classic tale unfolds when a lady off the street gives her a fresh new look, enabling her to go to the game, meet (and eventually hang out with) the start player, Charming. This book is written in rhyme, with the intention of being rapped. It's a great example of fantasy and folklore, because it brings it into a modern setting that more students could relate with. It would be great if you were teaching on the transmission of folklore, different music styles, New York, or just wanted a familiar yet fun story during reading time.
Media: gouache, acrylic, and pencil on slavaged paper ( )