Before I get to today’s review, TIME FOR A RENN UPDATE!
I have 6 more days to make 150! I also have to take a test today on The Giver by Lois Lowry. It’s worth 7 points if I get the questions all right. To answer some questions about AR and the books I am reading – you can see a list of the books I read this month on my “Books I Read This Year” page (click HERE to go THERE). Not all of the books on my list have AR tests (self-published books and books just released don’t have them) but most of the ones I read in October do. The books I read have a point value from 0.5-19 points. I am currently reading Loamhedge by Brian Jacques. It is worth 19 points (if I get all the questions right 🙂 ).
Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because it takes a well-known fairy-tale but had a disabled main character. I think it’s a great idea to show people with different abilities as characters.
Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair
by Jewel Kats
20 pages – ages 6+
Published by Loving Healing Press on August 15, 2011
Theme/Topic – Fairy-tale retelling / special needs
Genre – Fractured Fairytale
Opening and Synopsis –
“In a kingdom far away lives Cinderella. One summer evening , she’s called while perfuming stepmother’s gym socks. Cinderella wheels into the kitchen super quick. Everyone is seated around the oak dinner table.
“Hurry up slowpoke!” Stepmother snaps. She drums her fingers. “I have important news to share.”
While Cinderella is doing all the chores around the house, her Stepmother and Stepsisters are getting ready for the ball. Cinderella works even harder making an outfit for herself but when the night of the ball comes her Stepmother and Stepsisters are never going to let her go. They wreck Cinderella’s pretty gown and ruin her wheelchair. As Cinderella cries, her Fairy Godmother a student fairy godmother from Enchanted University appears and they get to work getting Cinderella to that ball!
Why I liked this book – I really like that this book re-tells the Cinderella story but with a modern twist and Cinderella happens to be in a wheelchair. I like how this book takes place in modern times and uses more modern language in the text. It makes is fun to read. I think this book will be great for all kids, not just disabled, to read about. I think it will make being in a wheelchair seem not so different to kids who aren’t. I love that in the story not only does Cinderella marry the prince, but she opens up her own jewelry store and is a successful business person. I really like the happy ending. It made me smile. I think this book should be in every house and classroom.
Activities and Resources –
I found a great resource for teachers at the Virginia Commonwealth University website. It is a packet full of activities for teachers. It is called “Understanding Kids Who are Different: Activities for Teaching About Disabilities” and you can click HERE to get it.
At the Coloring Pages Fun website, I found coloring pages that have kids with disabilities doing everyday things. It would be nice to mix these coloring pages in with the others you have at home / school. Click HERE to get them.
Visit Ms. Kats’ website to read read more about her and her other books. Click HERE to go THERE! I am putting her book “The Princess and the Ruby: An Autism Fairy Tale” on my TBR list!
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE!
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Categories: Age 6-9, Perfect Picture Book Friday
I just checked out your yearly list of books. Wow! That’s a great idea. I wish I had done that last year when I read so much and kept track. This year has been much more of a writing year.
Great job on your points for Renn!
🙂 I thought it was a great idea to keep track of the books I read (and I still don’t put ALL the books on there – sometimes I forget). People ask me all the time how many books I’ve read, so now I can show them. 😉
I am glad you had a writing year! WHERE’S THE NEXT TAYLOR DAVIS?!?
Great job, Erik. You’ll make it!
Thank you for reviewing this book. It definitely looks like one both I and my library need. I can’t wait to check out this publisher, too. They are a mystery to me.
Thank you Ms. Roberts! I hope you like the book if you get it! 🙂
This book sounds like it belongs with Girl Power books. Sounds great! I’ll remember it when I need a book on disabled or different kids. I like the resources you found too. 🙂
That is true Ms. Bowman-Jahn! It should be in the girl-power section! I’m glad you liked my review!
🙂
Good luck on your AR test today (bet you won’t need luck though!). Your review has captured my interest- I want to see how the author handles the this re-telling.
Thank you Ms. Greenley! I will update my Reading for Renn points tomorrow! 🙂 I really enjoyed this version of the Cinderlla story!
This looks really interesting… I like that Cinderella teams up with a student fairy! Like an intern! Very cool… thanks for reviewing!
Thank you Ms. Snedecor! I liked that she got a student too. 🙂 Thank you for visiting my blog! Please come again!
This looks like an interesting take on Cinderella. I encounter wheelchairs a lot. I am amazed at how adept wheelchair users can be! Whew! I’m not big on all the princess fairy tales, but I know that all the little girls love them. I like how this one ends with Cinderella becoming a business woman. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
It is a nice re-telling and Cinderella is no ordinary princess in this book. 🙂
What a great twist on a favorite fairy tale Love the addition of the wheelchair. This book sounds like it emphasizes Cinderella’s abilities.
Sounds like you adding up those points. Glad you read the Giver. At least read Son. But my favorites are the two books inbetween “Gathering Blue” and “The Messenger.” You really understand the story. Wow, your list is incredible. Keep adding those points.
I thought you would like this choice Ms. Tilton! 🙂 I am going to get Gathering Blue on my next trip to the library. I can’t wait to read it!
Never heard of this! What a fabulous book. I’m going to get it right now!
It is a great book! I hope you like it! 🙂
Wow, you had me at the title, what a very cool twist. Fabulous choice, Erik. Hope all went well with The Giver test, I love that book.
Thank you Miss Marple! Stay tuned for tomorrow when I update my Reading for Renn points again! 😉
I love fractured fairy-tales, Erik. And I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Giver” this summer. . .I trust you did well.
I did really enjoy The Giver, now I am anxious to read Gathering Blue to find out what happens next!
I think its great when a fairytale is retold in a modern day version. I love that Cinderella becomes a succesful business woman. You are doing so well in your reading for Renn project. Best of luck!
Thank you Ms. Foster! I liked that this re-telling had a modern twist to it too. 🙂
I love this re-telling to incorporate heroes with disabilities. Great review Erik.
Thank you Dr. Clune!
Wreck her wheelchair! This is sinister Erik LOL
Aren’t they MEAN?!?
Oh yes!
lol… I’m laughing at what Catherine said. They are mean. What an lovely review and understanding of the story. thank you Erik Wow! You have done so well with your points and test’s. Go you!
Thank you Ms. Tulloch! 🙂
Thank you for leading me to this book, Erik. I’ve been looking for books with children who have disabilities are the protagonists. Would add this to my growing list.
I am glad you like my pick! You should look at Ms. Kats’ other books. She has main characters with different abilities. Thank you Dr. Bacsal!