Ella Bella Ballerina and Cinderella

by James Mayhew

Overview

The 2nd book in the delightful Ella Bella Ballerina series will transport you to the magical world of Cinderella in this enchanting re-imagination of the classic fairy tale.

Ella Bella loves her ballet class, which is conducted by the kindly Madame Rosa at an old theatre that seems touched by magic. One day, when Ella loses one of her slippers, Madame Rosa lends her another pair for dancing—and is then reminded of Cinderella and her story of the lost slipper.

Madame Rosa recounts Cinderella's tale to her students, and Ella Bella listens with great interest. When their day's lesson has ended Ella lingers in the theatre, then opens Madame Rosa's music box and listens as it plays melodies from the Cinderella ballet. Suddenly, Cinderella's fairy godmother magically appears, and Ella Bella is transported into the beloved story of Cinderella.

This beautiful book's final page describes the ballet Cinderella, with music by the great Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780764162688
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	09/01/2009
Series:	Ella Bella Ballerina Series
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	238,936
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 12.80(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

James Mayhew was born in Blundeston, a village in Suffolk, England, and now lives with his wife and son in Letchworth Garden City, England. The author and illustrator of many popular children's books, he is also the author of Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty, also available from B.E.S..

Editorial Reviews

Mayhew's sweetly imaginative heroine returns, brought to life in lively paint and ink illustrations. When Ella Bella loses one of her ballet slippers, Madame Rosa lets her select a replacement pair. As Ella dances to her teacher's music box playing Cinderella, she enters the story itself, as Cinderella's fairy godmother and the “Fairies of the Four Seasons” enlist her help. Ella picks out a pair of silver shoes for Cinderella and tags along through the rest of the fairy tale. A whimsical romp for ballet lovers. Ages 4–8. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Mayhew's pint-sized ballerina returns to explore another famous ballet (Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty, 2008). When Ella misplaces a ballet slipper prior to class, she borrows a pair from Madame Rosa. Inspired by a combination of Madame's retelling of Cinderella's tale and the mesmerizing melodies of Madame's unique music box, Ella lingers after class concludes to continue dancing. With the arrival of Cinderella's fairy godmother, Ella soon finds herself instrumental in achieving Cinderella's happy ending. The author's rendition includes elements from Prokofiev's ballet that fans of the animated cinematic version may not know, such as The Fairies of the Four Seasons and a pair of magic shoes rather than the iconic glass slippers. His elegant line drawings coupled with abundant application of colors ranging from delicate pastels to deeper, more vibrant hues deftly convey the ethereal quality of the tale. Readers will enjoy spotting the parallels between Ella's and Cinderella's tales. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews