this was a great story! and according to the back of the book, is the story 'the anklet' from the arabian nights. i thought it was very well told. i didn't really like the pictures though. they kind of look like figures posing instead of characters in the story, and there are noticable outlines around the people so as to make you think they're cut outs, or are not a part of the scenery they're presented in. the over posy-ness and the not fitting into the background kind of reminds me of cheesy picture books i read from the 80's. now these pictures aren't as bad as those, but the way they are presented are reminiscent of that... style. for this reason i didn't give it a 5, but i still like the book and think it's worth reading as the storytelling was well done.

The current trend in fairy tales is to publish as many versions as exist. Whatever the country of origin, the central plot in Cinderella is the same: one girl is somehow on the edge of family with a stepmother and sisters, the magical gain of clothing for the festival, a prince, lost footwear, and a reunion of Cinderella and the prince for a happily ever after.

What sets apart "The Persian Cinderella" is its magnificent illustrations, as can be ascertained by examining the cover of the book. What really impresses me with the artwork is this statement by illustrator Robert Florczak: "All costumes, architecture, props, designs, color schemes, landscapes, flora and fauna are based on authentic ancient Persia" (last page, unnumbered).

Shirley Climo explains that the story comes from "The Arabian Nights" and uses authentic Persian elements: setting--the No Ruz, or New Day of both ancient Persian and today's Iran, Settarch as a popular name for this Persian Cinderella even today, and the Prince's name which means "one who shows compassion." There is also a pari, or fairy, which in this story is invisible, then takes the form of a bird--sort of.

I mention the background of the book because of negative reviews on the product page about Persian customs being inaccurately portrayed. I am guessing what is missing is the chador. Imagine depicting those in children's books in America? They would be too frightening. What fairy tale tells the whole truth anyway? There must be elements of magic and possibilities.

There are little girls in my school (I am the librarian) who love fairy tales. They will check out the same ones over and over. I would like to tell them these stories won't happen, endings in life are not always happy, read something else. Of course, I don't. Let them have their magic, their happy-ever-after. That is certainly what happens in "The Persian Cinderella." This book is highly recommended for addition to home or school libraries for its sheer beauty and interesting variations of a familiar story.

This is a charming story and gets two thumbs up from both of my daughters. The illustrations are reasonably good and I recommend the book.



There were however, two small typos which I hope the Author will correct:

The Wedding ceremony is referred to as the "Agha" instead of Aghd" and the Persian Gulf is referred to as Persian Sea.

This is a charming story and gets two thumbs up from both of my daughters. The illustrations are reasonably good and I recommend the book.

There were however, two small typos which I hope the Author will correct:
The Wedding ceremony is referred to as the "Agha" instead of Aghd" and the Persian Gulf is referred to as Persian Sea.

This is a charming story and gets two thumbs up from both of my daughters. The illustrations are reasonably good and I recommend the book.

There were however, two small typos which I hope the Author will correct:
The Wedding ceremony is referred to as the "Agha" instead of Aghd" and the Persian Gulf is referred to as Persian Sea.

Well-told version of the Cinderella tale from a different perspective with good illustrations

I bought this book to introduce my niece to some of her auntie's Persian culture. When her mom called me to tell me about the book, I was disgusted by what she had to say. This book re-enforces horrid Persian stereotypes and does nothing positive for Persian culture. This book is offensive and I regret buying it for my niece. Shame.

I bought this book to introduce my niece to some of her auntie's Persian culture. When her mom called me to tell me about the book, I was disgusted by what she had to say. This book re-enforces horrid Persian stereotypes and does nothing positive for Persian culture. This book is offensive and I regret buying it for my niece. Shame.

I think I am going to read it to my students and my niece.

The Persian Cinderella is a welcome addition to this classic "rags to riches" tale. Most impressive are Florczak's paintings which absolutely leap off the page (contrary to Mr. March, there are no photographs in this book, Florczak's painings are simply so detailed and lifelike that they are occasionally mistaken for photography). I cannot recommend this book more highly.

The Persian Cinderella is a welcome addition to this classic"rags to riches" tale. Most impressive are Florczak's paintings which absolutely leap off the page (...there are no photographs in this book, Florczak's painings are simply so detailed and lifelike that they are occasionally mistaken for photography). I cannot recommend this book more highly. END