Adelita

DePaola, Tomie. 2002. ADELITA A MEXICAN CINDERELLA STORY by Tomie DePaola. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 0-399-23866-2

PLOT SUMMARY
The story is set in old Mexico and covers the life of Adelita. Like Cinderella, she looses her mother and eventually her father, but acquires a wicked stepmother. Two dreadful stepsisters make her life difficult, but Adelita's nanny provides her with love. There is no fairy godmother and no glass slipper, but there is a party and a single prince. There is also a happily ever after.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is in the familiar "long ago" and the dilemma is quickly set: the evil stepmother and wicked stepsisters are determine to make Adelita a very unhappy young girl. A nanny takes the place of the fairy godmother and unlike in Cinderella, there is no glass slipper, but a scarlet shawl. Curiously enough, Cinderella is mentioned in the story. When the party is over and the the mysterious new girl vanishes, everyone is left wondering who she was. The stepmother states -to her relief - that there is no glass slipper like in the fairytale. The simple, but colorful and beautiful illustrations, the use of Spanish within the story, and the authentic images of old Mexico make this an unforgettable book. While the book included many Spanish phrases, my students enjoyed it when it was read aloud. The Spanish phrases, followed by the English translation, didn't make for a choppy read, but provided an explanation of the words. De Paola includes a list of Spanish phrases used in the book that could be a great tool for teachers.
My students have heard other variations of Cinderella, but without a doubt this is the one with which they most identified. My students recognized the crucifixes, the Virgin Mary, the clay pots, the spicy green peppers, and the Spanish words and phrases. Adelita had a name that sounded familiar and this Cinderella shared their skin tone. This book validated their culture!


REVIEWS
The prose is straightforward and crisp, though the habit of including a Spanish phrase that is translated immediately afterward (e.g., "Soy yo-only me-" or "-mi peque-ita-my little one-") interrupts the narrative flow. However, this is a minor quibble given the beauty of dePaola's signature artwork. From School Library Journal
DePaola tweaks just enough details to make his version fresh; his liberal use of Spanish phrases (translated within the text) and cultural details enlighten as they enliven. From Publishers Weekly
CONNECTIONS
While this book validates the Mexican culture it can also be a great tool to introduce the Mexican culture to others. A great number of cultural connections could be made with this book. Since it includes many different Spanish words and phrases, students could begin a Spanish/English dictionary. This book could also be a great starting point to begin Hispanic Heritage themes. The book presents, simple, yet rich and colorful illustrations. It lends itself to promote art. Many times my students feel their drawings are not good enough. The simplicity of the illustrations presented here could ease any student's mind.