Cinderella Skeleton

San Souci, Robert D. Cinderella Skeleton. Illustrated by David Catrow. New York: Silver Whistle, 2000. ISBN: 0-15-202003-9

Author Website: http://www.rsansouci.com/

Illustrator Website: http://www.catrow.com/

Video of Illustrator drawing Cinderella Skeleton: http://vimeo.com/6650302

Media: Pencil, Watercolor

Award: International Reading Association Children's Choices, 2001.

Use of Onomatopoeia: “Saw witch touch wand- Tip-tap!-to all.”

“Ignoring the thump of her footless stump.”

Use of Rhyme: The first line of each stanza always begins “Cinderella Skeleton,” and the rhyme scheme after is ABBCCA throughout.

Use of Repetition: : Throughout the story each stanza starts with Cinderella Skeleton.

Use of Alliteration: Throughout the poem repetition of the first letter of the word is used. Examples: “Decayed, decrepit-what a fright.”

“And firmly packed with spite and spleen.”

Annotation: This picture book is a dark and twisted retelling of the fairytale Cinderella. In San Souci’s version of this beloved tale, Cinderella is a decaying skeleton with a webbed gown designed by spiders.

Personal Reaction: Cinderella Skeleton exemplifies how some picture books are definitely only for older readers. The rhyming story identifies Cinderella as a corpse and this potentially horrifying character is brought to life by Catrow’s dark, but whimsical, illustrations. Cinderella Skeleton is indeed a version of the classic fairytale, but this version is rated PG. The retelling of the story is dark and frightening, while the illustrations are sprinkled with humorous touches that lighten the mood of the story. The balance between San Souci's dark text and Catrow's illustrations results in a wonderful symmetry. I would recommend this version of Cinderella to older elementary school students who have read and enjoyed Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard, as both books have a voice that is similarly comfortable with death. Matching picture books for older readers with print books works well for this age group, in my opinion.