Cinderella Penguin

By Janet Perlman

This version of Cinderella follows the classic fairy tale story line of the original Cinderella story. The only difference in “Cinderella Penguin” is that Cinderella is a penguin not a person, and she wears a glass flipper not a glass slipper.

Of note in this version of Cinderella is the artwork. Cinderella is portrayed wide-eyed and innocent looking while her stepmother and stepsisters have angular, wicked looking eyes. The bodies are drawn the same, like pears without any curves. However, the clothing worn by the wicked crowd is clearly of better cut and cloth than Cindy’s tattered rags. Pictures were small when Cinderella felt alone and sad, when the mice were gathered to become horses, and when Cindy danced with the prince. The pictures covered most of the page for the rest of the story. Ms. Perlman used bold colors and strong facial expressions to get her message across.

I loved “Happy Feet”, the penguin musical that came out in 2006, and this version of Cinderella reminded me of the odd, little penguin who could not sing in” Happy Feet.”
Naturally, the penguin Cinderella did not have to sing, but she did get to dance, which is what the main character in “Happy Feet” loved to do.

Younger children and penguin lovers will enjoy this version of Cinderella.