prince cinders - Babette Cole

...of Cinders, hence the title Prince Cinders.

~ Babette Cole ~

Born in Jersey, Babette attended a convent school and went on to take a degree at Art School in Canterbury.

She began her career drawing for Jackanory and TV comics. Her first book was published in 1976 and since then she has written more than 70, the most famous perhaps being 'Mummy Laid An Egg'.

Babette Cole is renowned for her ...
...story ~

Prince Cinders isn't much of a prince being small, spotty, scruffy and skinny, very unlike his three big hairy brothers who are always teasing him about his looks.

The brothers spend their time going out with princesses while Cinders is left at home to clean up, wishing he looked just like them!! (God knows why!!)

A Fairy Godmother arrived and grants all of his wishes which do go a bit wrong:
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Most of us are familiar with the fairy tale all about Cinderella. Babette Cole has challenged this traditional tale and given it a completely different slant..........she's even changed the sex of Cinders, hence the title Prince Cinders.

~ Babette Cole ~

Born in Jersey, Babette attended a convent school and went on to take a degree at Art School in Canterbury.

She began her career drawing for Jackanory and TV comics. Her first book was published in 1976 and since then she has written more than 70, the most famous perhaps being 'Mummy Laid An Egg'.

Babette Cole is renowned for her funny, witty and rather unconventional approach to children's books.

For more information visit the official website at www.babette-cole.com

~ The story ~

Prince Cinders isn't much of a prince being small, spotty, scruffy and skinny, very unlike his three big hairy brothers who are always teasing him about his looks.

The brothers spend their time going out with princesses while Cinders is left at home to clean up, wishing he looked just like them!! (God knows why!!)

A Fairy Godmother arrived and grants all of his wishes which do go a bit wrong:

• the empty can turns in to a toy sports car.
• the suit is a swimsuit!
• big and hairy.............he turns in to a huge gorilla.

But Cinders can't see how bad he looks, he sees a mirror image of his brothers whom he idolises and off to the disco he goes.............not being able to get through the door he decides to catch the bus home and terrifies a princess.

Just then it turns midnight and he changes back to his usual self which looks a bit like the character from the 'Mr Muscle' adverts. The princess thinks CInders has scared the hairy monkey away and chases after him because he's too shy to talk to her and he loses his jeans.

She puts out a proclamation to find the owner of the trousers..........many try them, none fit them, until they fit Cinders. The princess proposes, Cinders accepts and a twist of fate becomes the hairy brothers...........let's just say they end up looking like Freddie Mercury in the 'I want to break free' video!!

~ Illustrations ~

Prince Cinders does challenge stereotypes of the handsome prince syndrome..........he's skinny, a tad on the ugly side and is basically not a 'good catch' whatever that may be (I no longer know who is and who isn't)

The Fairy Godmother isn' t in a beautiful dress but is in a litle girl's school uniform a bit like St Trinians! And as for his brothers, well let's just say in my opinion these aren't great looking chaps.

The drawings are very detailed and Babette Cole has challenged all aspects of the traditional Fairy Tale of Cinderella.

~ Age Range ~

I have read this book to a wide range of age groups. Nursery and Reception children don't seem to appreciate the twist to the original story..........the little girls tend (not 100%) to be a bit upset that the Fairy Godmother isn't in her gorgeous pretty dress etc

In my teaching experience it has been the slightly older age group, 5 / 6 upwards who have appreciated the humour and twist and can discuss more openly the differences between this and the original Cinderella.

~ Different Viewpoints ~There has been a great deal of analysis and discussion about Babette Cole's books over the years between different groups. I have listed some of the viewpoints and you can take your pick as to which category you would belong to and therefore would or would not read this book:

• If you are concerned about exposing children solely to traditional fairy tales then this book does give an opposing viewpoint as it challenges the idea of tall, dark handsome princes and gorgeous princesses in exotic ballgowns!
• Some like the idea that rather than the prince searching for the princess, in this book it is the other way round and the female proposing to the male.
• Some people would argue that it's a confidence building book in the sense that the 'weakling' (Cinders) gets the princess over his stronger, supposedly more handsome brothers.

Just a few of the arguments surrounding this book which I think Babette Cole appreciates as she likes to challenge and create a little bit of contoversy, plus it helps increase her sales as discussion leads to more people wanting to buy the book to see what it's all about.In my opinion (not sitting on the fence) we must remember that it's a witty children's book with a different slant. As long as you don't make too much of it and have large debates about the pros and cons of females taking the lead role etc..

Older children do find it quite humorous, perhaps adults 'read' too much in to things and are way too analytical and as long as you read a huge range of other genres of books children will most definitely not be affected by this.

It certainly isn't my first choice of book but I do think that it's important to give children an extremely wide range of styles and stories.

~ Price ~

My paperback has a purple background unlike the photo shown by ciao. It's ISBN is 0-14-055525-0 and cost £4.99 however amazon have used and new ones from 50p.
This book is also available in hardcover,
A DVD and VHS tape of the story are also readily available.

~ Other Babette Cole Books ~

Princess Smartypants
Princess Smartypants Rules
Hair in Funny Places
Two of Everything
The trouble with Dad
The Trouble with Mum

 

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