This tale loosely based on a French Creole version of Cinderella is set in the Caribbean among people of African descent and is uniquely told from the point of view of the fairy godmother, in this case a poor washerwoman who has inherited a wand of magic from her mother. "Three taps will change one thing into another....But only for a short time. And the magic must be used to help someone you love." Cendrillon is the washerwoman's goddaughter in this version of the tale, which is seasoned with Creole words and phrases that are defined in a short glossary. Brian Pinkney's brightly colored, swirling illustrations lend an added sense of richness to the story. (Ages 6-8)

A Caldecott Honor–winning author–illustrator team brings us a Caribbean Cinderella story, told from the perspective of the magical godmother.

You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you’ve never heard it for true.

Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man’s son, at first she doesn’t know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her—and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life.

Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.