Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by: Tomie DePaola

Bibliography:

DePaola, Tomie. 2002. Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0399238662

Plot Summary:

A long time ago, in a Mexican village, Fransisco and his wife Adela have baby. They call on an old friend, Esperanza to help. After the baby is born, Adela dies and Fransisco names their baby girl Adelita. Eventually, Fransisco remarries. Senora Micaela de la Fortuna has two daughters close in age to Adelita, Valentina and Dulce. Not long after the marriage, Adelita's father suddenly dies. Dona Micaela no longer hides her jealousy of Adelita and immediately orders her to take up a small room in the attic. In addition, Adelita is forced to wear hand-me-downs and Valentina and Dulce are mean and hateful toward her. Esperanze helps to keep Adelita's heart warm, but it is not long before Dona Micaela fires her and forces Adelita to do all of the housework. One morning, Dona Micaela announces that el Senor and la Senora Gordillo have invited the family to a party at their ranch to celebrate the homecoming of their son Javier. The rumor is that he is looking for a wife. Adelita asks if she can come but is immediately told no. However, after the sisters leave for the party, Esperanza comes to help Adelita get ready. They find a beautiful white dress that belonged to Adelita's mother and they set off for the party in a borrowed cart. No one recognizes Adelita at the party and she introduces herself as Cenicienta-Cinderella. Javier falls in love with Adelita, but Adelita is afraid to admit who she is and leaves the party in a hurry. The next day Javier goes around the village looking for his Cenicienta and knows she is at Adelita's home because Adelita hung the rebozo she had worn to the party out of her window. Javier is so happy when he sees Adelita that he asks her to marry him. Everyone is invited to the wedding and they live happily ever after.

Critical Analysis:
The bright and colorful paintings typical of DePaola are what attract readers to this Cinderella variant. His artwork is a perfect fit for a Mexican Cinderella Story. The folk art style used reflects the culture of Mexico and really helps the reader get a good feel for the setting of the tale. Although this is a Cinderella story, many aspects of the Mexican culture emerge throughout. Spanish is interspersed and translations are given at the end of the story. Instead of a ball, the sisters attend a fiesta, and instead of arriving in a pumpkin magically turned coach, Cinderella arrives in a borrowed cart. There is no glass slipper, but instead a beautiful red rebozo. This is a great spin on a classic fairy tale complete with beautiful illustrations that are true to the Mexican culture.

Review Excerpt(s):

Publisher's Weekly: "His vibrant acrylics incorporate folk art motifs as well as rustic domestic items. The jazzy design features mosaic-like tile backgrounds of varying shades that frame smaller panels and portraits throughout."

School Library Journal: "Making perfect use of clear, warm hues, the full-color acryclic illustrations are a feast for the eye."

Connections:

Read other Cinderella variants such as those of Robert San Souci, Judy Sierra's The Gift of the Crocodile, or Bubba the Cowboy Prince: A Fractured Texas Tale by Helen Ketteman.