Cenicienta a la Pimienta (Spanish Edition)

Gr 1-3--This rhyming Spanish spin on Cinderella tells the tale of la Cenicienta a la pimienta (Spicy Cinderella), who attends a party in honor of the Count of Zaragoza, who is looking for a bride. Cenicienta doesn't exactly fit in with the rest of the high-class partiers. While the elegantly dressed guests gracefully enjoy caviar, Cenicienta makes a scene by finishing a bottle of wine and tossing the olives into her mouth while seeming not to care what the other guests think. Shortly before midnight, las mujeres del salon, or the high-society women at the party, take a closer look at the Cenicienta's shoulder coat and realize with surprise--her coat is a cat! The bells ring at the top of the hour, and the cat carries Cenicienta away to safety, but, just as in the original, she leaves her glass slipper behind. Captivated by her originality and flair, the Count of Zaragoza notices her and the slipper she leaves behind. Short sections of rhyming text in Spanish will engage young readers while building early literacy skills. VERDICT This clever, funny spin on Cinderella is ideal for larger collections that serve Spanish-speaking or bilingual readers.--Natalie Romano, Denver P.L.