Cinderhazel

Cinderhazel: The Cinderella of Halloween

written and illustrated by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Scholastic Inc., 2002

Genre: Children's picture book; fantasy

Reading Level: Ages 5-8

32 pages

Cinderhazel is the story of a witch that is badly treated by her step sisters and step mother, she is very dirty, and loves it. She loves all kinds of filthiness, and as she "cleans" the house by moving around and piling up the dirt one day, her step sisters and step mother got all dressed up and announced they were going to the Halloween ball where the prince would finally come out of hiding. Cinderhazel was very upset that she couldn't go because her broom was broken. But as she yelled and stamped around her fairy witch godmother shows up and turns her broom into a vacuum and tells her she better go, that she'll like the prince, because he is the prince of filth. So Cinderhazel goes to the ball and drops down the chimney and comes out covered in soot. Everyone gets mad at her and she casts a spell that covers them all in dirt which only makes them angrier. Cinderhazel feeling bad uses the vacuum to suck up the dirt, but it also sucks up their shoes, and clothes, and other party items like punch and decorations. Then the clock strikes midnight and the godmother's magic wears off, everyone's things are scattered everywhere and as everyone runs to get their stuff, the biggest dirtball that Cinderhazel has ever seen comes up and introduces himself as the prince to Cinderhazel after proving they can get really dirty together, they agree they like each other and they live "filthily ever after."

I would recommend this book to any child; especially those that like retelling of classic fairy tales and Halloween.

I can think of only a minor controversy that could come from this book being parent's worrying that their children will decide that it's ok to be very dirty. :)

I thought this book was kind of gross, but entertaining. I really liked the unique style of the pictures and what they add to the story.

My rating 4 out of 5