Written by guest blogger Cindy Koopmans
Let’s start with something familiar: the story of Cinderella. Then let’s take a trip around the world and transport this classic tale to many different settings and cultures.
Let’s use the story of Cinderella to teach point of view, theme, compare and contrast, and summarizing. Doesn’t this sound like a fun reading unit? Let’s lighten up and enjoy a change of pace. We need that more than ever right now!
The authors and illustrators of these texts have done a masterful job of presenting the historical, cultural, and geographical details of the countries in which the stories are set. So much time and energy went into the research before the writing even began!
Be sure to check your social studies standards and see if you can kill two birds with this one stone. Let’s work smarter, not harder!
It will be difficult for you to settle on which book is the most visually stunning. Each one is so unique, so clever, and so gorgeously colorful.
Using QR Codes for a Digital Option with a Cinderella Unit
I’d like to suggest that if you are teaching virtually or implementing a hybrid option this year, you go digital and provide students with the links to the read-alouds. You save time and money. A win-win!
I’ve created this super easy to use QR code generator to produce the QR codes for each of the read-aloud links. You can copy and paste these QR codes into any document and then allow students to view videos on their own hand held devices.
If you’re new to QR codes you can read more about them here. And by the way, all the videos (links embedded) in this article have been previewed and carefully chosen so your students will be engaged in a well-read presentation of each story.
Have fun with this magical Cinderella unit with an international flair. It’s high time for each of us to be transported…just for awhile...by not just one, but many, many happy endings.
9 Different Versions of Cinderella Books
1. Anything But the Basic Cinderella - Caldecott Award Winning Cinderella
Begin your students’ journey with the original tale of Cinderella, elegantly told and beautifully illustrated. “Well, just be sure you’re a good girl,” said the Fairy Godmother, “and I’ll make sure you go!” Ah, if only life were that easy. This is why I love fairy tales.
2. Mexico - Adelita, a Mexican Cinderella Story
This book is special because of dePaola’s use of vibrant color in his eye-arresting illustrations. The read-aloud is wonderful...the Spanish speaking reader lends authenticity and expertise. You’ll fall in love with this text for so many reasons, including a wonderful juxtaposition of Spanish and English on the page like this one: “La casa Mercado se llenó de alegria—the Mercado house was full of happiness.”
Link: Adelita by Tomie dePaola Read-Aloud (with excellent pronunciation)
3. The Caribbean - Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella
Lyrically lovely, San Souci has captured the musicality of the Caribbean in this beautifully illustrated text. The island of Martinique is the lush setting for the story. Adapted from a Creole tale, the old washerwoman “tells the story for true.” This Cinderella story would lend itself well to a discussion of how point of view alters the telling of the story.
4. China - Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China
Because both Yeh-Shen’s parents have died, she lives with her stepmother and stepsister in a cave. The spin used in this Cinderella story is a special magic fish (whose bones are magic) and a helpful old man who guides Yeh-Shen on the journey to her happy ending. This is a very clever re-telling and one of my personal favorites on this list.
5. Native American, Algonquin - The Rough-Face Girl, An Algonquin Tale
You’ll be happy you took the time to bring your students back to North America for this unique version of Cinderella. The ugly sisters seek to marry the Invisible Being, which proves to be an impossible task for the arrogant sisters, but of course, the Rough Face Girl succeeds. The read-aloud is a university, student-produced video of excellent quality.
6. Zimbabwe - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, An African Tale
With her lush voice and crisp pronunciation, Phylicia Rashad is a dream teller of this Reading Rainbow selection. There’s lots of historical, cultural, and geographical details making this an important book to include should you have to narrow down your reading list.
Link: Phylicia Rashad reads Steptoe's Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
7. Egypt - The Egyptian Cinderella
Told with a great deal of charm and humor, this is a unique addition to an already wonderful list of books. The illustrations add to the allure of this text. Crisp and vibrant, Ruth Heller’s illustration style elevates the text. I’ve got quite a few Heller books in my classroom, along with several of her fun and instructive grammar picture books, like Many Luscious Lollipops.
8. Korea - The Korean Cinderella
“Long ago in Korea, when magical creatures were as common as cabbages, there lived an old gentleman and his wife…” Thus begins the story of the lovely Pear Blossom.
If Korean culture fascinates you, I’d suggest this adult novel. One of my favorite reads this year. Lisa See's The Island of Sea Women
9. The Middle East - The Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story
“You poor motherless child, I love you like my own,” the neighbor woman says to Maha, our Middle Eastern Cinderella. But when that neighbor woman becomes Maha’s stepmother, the trouble begins. This tale sets aside a traditional fairy Godmother and prince’s ball, instead presenting a magical fish and a “bridal henna.” Exotic, luscious, and sweet, this story will transport both you and your students.
Digital Project Ideas for a Cinderella Unit
No matter which way you choose to present these texts, consider thinking outside the box and allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of the subtleties of these gorgeous stories in a fresh new way.
Perhaps you like the idea of student-created Google Jamboard projects. Another way to go digital is to allow students to create a video presentation and post it to Google Classroom. Or how about empowering students to create stop-motion animation in Google Classroom or whatever platform your district or organization is advocating? The links in this paragraph will jump start your thinking.
Or consider student blogging!
If you haven’t tried blogs with your students you can learn more about the technicalities here from a “get rid of the books” website. I don’t know if I’m ready to abandon books, but I am definitely trying to get away from papers, papers, and more papers. So this year, I’m going to give blogging a whirl in my fifth grade classroom. There’s a few sites that specialize in making blogging easy for you and for your students and you can explore some of those by clicking here.
Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!
Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!