Cendrillon, A Caribbean Cinderella

by Robert D. San Souci

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Booklist starred, Vol. 95, No. 4 (October 15, 1998)
Ages 4-8. There are many variations of the Cinderella story, and this version, set on the island of Martinique, is particularly vibrant, both in its melodious language and its spirited art. Collaborators San Souci and Pinkney, whose previous books include Sukey and the Mermaid (1992), have based their story on the French Creole tale, “Cendrillon.” San Souci explains in an author’s note that he has expanded the story and told it from the point of view of the godmother, a washerwoman who watches out for the lovely Cendrillon after her mother dies and her father remarries. The story follows the traditional lines, but always includes its own piquant touches. Breadfruit and lizards are turned into a coach and horses; and when the ugly stepdaughter tries on the slipper, the godmother calls out, “If you cut off those big toes, it would be a perfect fit!” Pinkney’s artwork, executed in his signature style, is softened here by pinks, greens, and blues evoking the warm breezes of the islands. Flowers border some of the pictures and swirls of color add texture to the backgrounds. Even the pace of the story seems slowed by the setting. Perhaps that’s why Pinkney uses every opportunity to infuse his pictures with action, whether it’s Cendrillon being pulled out of the party by her godmother or sweeping across a dance floor when she finally dances with her bridegroom. A vital rendition of an old favorite.

Kirkus Review, 1998
San Souci’s retelling of the Cinderella story in a Martinique mode has music to it that cannot be denied. Cendrillon’s godmother, an island washerwoman, narrates; she is no fairy, but is in possession of a mahogany wand that may be deployed on someone she loves. She enables Cendrillon to make a grand entrance to the local ball (and plays chaperon) and catch the eye of the young gentleman who is as elegant as a prince. The infatuation is instant, dances are spun, the clock strikes twelve, a slipper is lost, Cendrillon is found, wedding bells chime. Much of the pleasure of this book is in the setting and the sense that this could happen anywhere, that magic transcends time and place. Pinkney’s scratchboard illustrations give the comic proportions a tangibility that leaps off the page--the laundry snaps, the coachmen jostle with the movement of the carriage, and the stepdaughter’s toes, are, indeed, sausages.

Library Talk, May/June 1999
This version of the familiar Cinderella tale, adapted from the French Creole, proves once again why the author and illustrator are an award-winning combination. Told from the godmother’s point of view, a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique, this tale just begs to be read aloud. Cendrillon (SOHN-dree-yhon), the French form of Cinderella, faces the traditional tribulations of life with a wicked stepmother while remaining sweet and innocent. She is rewarded when her nannin or godmother waves her mahogany wand and changes the fruit a ‘pain [breadfruit] into a carriage and well--you know the rest. The lyrical influence of the islands and the West Indies gives this familiar story art exotic flavor that is beautifully complemented by Pinkney’s distinctive use of style and color in a rich treatment. The work includes a brief author’s note commenting on the background of this version and a limited glossary of French Creole Words and Phrases with pronunciation guides. A great read-aloud and useful for comparisons of the Cinderella stories from other cultures. Folktale collections at any level would be enriched by this San Souci/Pinkney collaboration. Recommended. Terry Alegria, Media Specialist, Dallas, Texas

Publishers Weekly, July 13, 1998
“You may think you know this story I am going to tell you, but you have not heard it for true,” begins the washerwoman and unlikely godmother who narrates this spirited retelling. From the team behind The Faithful Friend comes an adaptation of a Creole tale that recasts familiar elements into the fashions and customs of the colonial West Indies. There is the haughty stepmother Prosperine, “puffed-up proud because her grandfather had come from France,” the godmother who taps a breadfruit with a mahogany wand and transforms it into a carriage, and Cendrillon, who escapes at midnight with one pink slipper embroidered with roses. Pinkney’s oil and scratchboard illustrations burst with vigorous movement as he captures the exotic palette and the lush textures of the “ green-green island in the so-blue Mer des Antilles.” The lyrical cadences of the text spattered with French and Creole words combine with the sensuous paintings to bring the tropics to life. However, the story’s charm lies not in the well-matched Caribbean bride and groom or in the (rather predictable) happy ending, but in the authentic voice of the godmother. Her affection for the kind Cendrillon inspires her bold and selfless acts to ensure the happiness of another (and her quirky foibles prove equally appealing as she indulges in bowl after bowl of chocolate sherbet while proudly watching the couple’s nuptials). Through this colorful and deeply human godmother, readers witness the enduring power of love. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly, December 17, 2001
Of this retelling of the Cinderella tale, set on the Caribbean, PW said, “The lyrical cadences of the text spattered with French and Creole words combine with the sensuous paintings to bring the tropics to life.” Ages 5-10. (Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal, September 1998
K-Gr 3-A Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the godmother’s point of view and brought to life by Pinkney’s distinctive scratchboard illustrations. Based on West Indian versions of the story, the narrative is full of French Creole words and phrases. It tells of a poor washerwoman who is left a magic wand by her mother and discovers its power to help her beloved goddaughter. A fruit a pain (breadfruit) is transformed into the coach; six agoutis (a kind of rodent) become the horses; and Cinderella’s slippers are bright pink with roses embroidered on them. Pinkney’s art perfectly conveys the lush beauty and atmosphere of the island setting, featuring vibrant peaches, lavenders, aquas, and greens against the background of the sea. Frames of native greenery, shells, exotic blossoms, and small creatures are interwoven around most of the text, integrating it with the story’s scenes to excellent effect. The result is an outstanding Cinderella variant for any collection. -Judith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

School Library Journal, August 1999   
Set in Martinique, this version of Cinderella is told from the fairy godmother’s point of view. Cendrillon becomes the stepchild of a selfish woman whose only daughter is spoiled and demanding. In the end, of course, Cendrillon finds true love. The story is interspersed with Creole words and phrases that are explained in a glossary. (K-Gr 4)

Long ago in on an island in the Caribbean Sea, lived a young girl. When her mother died, she left the young girl a wand of mahogany. Three taps would change one thing into another for a short time. The magic would only work if it were used to help someone you love.

As she grew up, she was a washerwoman, someone who did other people’s laundry. One woman she worked for was always kind. She was a sickly woman; so, the young girl nursed her. To thank the young girl, the kind woman made her the godmother of her new daughter, Cendrillon. When the girl held Cendrillon on her christening day, she finally had someone to love. Soon after Cendrillon’s mother died. Then her papa, Monsieur married Madame Prosperine. Later on a new daughter, Vitaline was born. All of Madame’s rich friends were invited. They poked fun at Cendrillon’s godmother, but Cendrillon came and kissed her. The godmother noticed the red and blistered hands of Cendrillon. She asked immediately what had happened. Cendrillon told her that her father’s wife works her hard. Her father feared his new wife. As she grew older, Vitaline was spoiled, and Cendrillon was made a servant.

One day Cendrillon came to the river sad. Her godmother asked what was wrong. Cendrillon informed her that there was ball. It was a birthday for Paul, Monsieur Thibault’s son. She wanted to go so bad, but Madame forbid her because she was lazy. Her godmother smiled and promised Cendrillon she would get to attend the ball.

When the godmother arrived at Cendrillon’s house, she could hear Madame shouting at Cendrillon to get this and get that. With relief, they finally left for the ball.

The godmother told Cendrillon it was time to get ready. Cendrillon asked how when she had no carriage or dress. Godmother told her to bring her a breadfruit. With three taps of her mahogany wand, it was turned into a beautiful carriage. The next change was five lizards into footmen and a manicou into a coachman. Then the godmother tapped Cendrillon. Her rags were transformed into a sky-blue velvet gown. Her shoes were elegant pink slippers embroidered with roses. Then, the godmother turned her own shift into a fine red dress. No proper young lady would go to a ball without a chaperone.

Before they arrived at the ball, the godmother warned Cendrillon that the magic only lasted a short time. As she entered the ball, all eyes were on her. She was a grand lady. Even her stepmother and sister did not recognize her. Then Paul saw Cendrillon and fell in love. He devoted the entire evening to her. They were having so much fun that they did not realize the clock was striking midnight. The godmother grabbed Cendrillon and they ran. As they tried to run away, Cendrillon lost one of her embroidered slippers. When they finally got away, their clothes turned back into rags and the carriage, horse, footmen, and coachman turned back into their old forms. All that was left was the other embroidered slipper.

Cendrillon decided she would keep the slipper as a wonderful memory of that wonderful night. Her godmother assured her she would see Paul again. Cendrillon said he only loved the girl in the beautiful dress. He could never love someone in rags.

Cendrillon was not at the river the next day. Her godmother went to her home and found that she was ill. Her stepmother said she was just lazy. As the godmother spoke to the broken-hearted girl, there was a lot of commotion happening downstairs. Paul was downstairs looking for the girl who fit the embroidered slipper. The godmother tapped Cendrillon and turned her into the beauty she was at the dance. She begged her godmother to turn her back. Paul had to love her for what she was. As she went down the stairs, Paul knelt before her and tried the shoe one her. With love in his eyes, he told her how beautiful she was. Paul and Cendrillon were married. It was a grand wedding that lasted for three days.

Narrator - She has a magic stick that must be used to help someone she loves. She worked as a washerwoman. She is the godmother of Cendrillon. She agrees to help Cendrillon got to the ball.

Cendrillon - She works like a servant girl. She is a good, sweet girl. She dances with Paul at the ball. She marries Paul.

Madame Prosperine - She is a very proud woman. She won’t let Cendrillon go to the ball.

Vitaline - She is the stepsister. She is spoiled.

Monsieur - He is the father. He is scared of madame.

Paul - He falls in love with Cendrillon at the ball. He searches for the owner of the slipper. He marries Cendrillon.

In the beginning of the story, the narrator tells of a magic stick that she owns. Three taps will turn one thing into another. The magic must be used to help someone you love.

The narrator, Cendrillon’s godmother, uses this stick to change a breadfruit into a gilded coach. She changed six rodents into horse, five lizards into footmen, and a possum into a coachman. Finally, the godmother uses her stick to give Cendrillon a new dress, a turban, a scarf, jewelry, and slippers. She also gives herself a new dress, so that she can chaperone Cendrillon.

Finally in the end, the godmother attempts to transform Cendrillon again so that Paul will recognize her. Cendrillon asks her to change her back because she wants Paul to love her for whom she is.

Go to a Printable Map including the Caribbean Islands from National Geographic

“There are thousands of islands that make up the Caribbean” (Griffiths 6). These islands and their beaches border the Caribbean Sea (Hernandez 10). This abundance of water would explain why the godmother’s job was that of a laundry woman.

Many people in the Caribbean believe in voodoo, family spirits, powers to heal, powers to cast spells, and powers to foretell the future (Hernadez 38). This would explain the presence of a magic stick used to do good for someone the godmother loves.

There are many different birds, marsupials, insects, rodents, etc… in the Caribbean because of the swamps and lagoons (Griffiths 8-9). Perhaps this explains the use of lizards, rodents, and a possum to aid Cendrillon in reaching the ball.

Griffiths, John. The Caribbean . New York: Bookwright Press, 1989.

Hernadez, Romel. Caribbean Islands: Facts and Figures. Philadelphia: Mason Crest, 2004.