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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
I read this book many years ago, so I won't write a full review. It remains a book that I remember fondly, which says a lot for it.
The art is undeniably beautiful and the story is comfortingly recognizable. But I guess I just don't love stories about family jealousy and strife, so I didn't totally connect with it.
Beautiful "Cinderella" story set in a fictional African country, modeled on an area of Zimbabwe. The story follows familiar tropes= The harsh sister, a journey, people along a path that are really magical people...
The beauty is in the details. Particularly (for me) the artwork. The images are oddly 3D. Almost too lifelike, but not at all bad. I am just unfamiliar with the technique. It looks like photos were taken, but they were drawn over or painted over and collaged or something. There is something about this particular artist and his technique that is completely original and engaging.
Share with readers who love folk and fairy tales and love.
The beauty is in the details. Particularly (for me) the artwork. The images are oddly 3D. Almost too lifelike, but not at all bad. I am just unfamiliar with the technique. It looks like photos were taken, but they were drawn over or painted over and collaged or something. There is something about this particular artist and his technique that is completely original and engaging.
Share with readers who love folk and fairy tales and love.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Absolutely lovely illustrations. Calling it a Cinderella "retelling" (in storygraph's pitch) is a very frustrating choice. It is a similar kind of story, but it's not Cinderella.
- Illustrator studied temple ruins and flora/fauna to create images
- Illustrations are highly detailed, all in minuscule cross-hatching; has the feel of colored pencil
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful illustrations, a great lesson, and a classic fairy tale come together in this childhood favorite of mine.
adventurous
medium-paced
I loved having this book read to me as a child and have a renewed joy reading it as an adult. As a child, I did not realize the meaning of the daughter's names and how it attributed/highlighted their personalities. I appreciate one of the many messages of this book being that one should treat all kindly, with respect, and care.
Really lovely book. My favorite part, though, is that Manyara isn't physically punished in any way-- just frightened into a type of kindness. She lives as a servant in the Queen's house, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing; just that the roles she proudly dreamed and boasted of were reversed in the end. "Manyara" means "she who has been humbled" in Shona, so again, not a violent or unfair end. Nyasha is also well-done as a character in that her kindness is a natural, attainable thing. I do wish, though, that we wouldn't glorify keeping silent when someone is cruel to you. She doesn't tell her father about Manyara's unkindness because she didn't want to worry him. Selfless, yes, but I'd rather my future daughters tell me that someone is abusing them then be silent for my sake.
Overall, a beautiful tale that feels grounded as much as fantastical.
Overall, a beautiful tale that feels grounded as much as fantastical.