August 1, 2008
Gr 2-3-In a market glutted with fairy-tale retellings, one might feel justified in saying, "Absolutely no more Cinderella variations!" However, this accessible early reader about a kindhearted mutt with sorrowful eyes, her wicked stepfamily, and a princess who wants a dog more than anything else in the world is sweet, thoughtfully written, and appealing in its readability. Boelts avoids obvious arch doggy-puns in favor of a story that reveals the universal longing for companionship and compassion over material wealth and extra-fluffy tails. Wu's color illustrations complement the text with gentle humor."Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Mercer Island Library, WA"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2008
"Once upon a time, there was a mean stepdog-mother and two stepdog-sisters. Dogerella was their servant." This book casts a plaintive pup as Cinderella. She wants to go to the princess's ball and be chosen as the girl's prized pet. The story line doesn't work completely, but there's enough humor in the text and cloudy, old-fashioned-looking illustrations to sustain readers.
(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)