Very Little Cinderella

Heapy and Heap follow 2014’s Very Little Red Riding Hood by introducing a toddler version of Cinderella whose house-cleaning style is more Jackson Pollock than Martha Stewart. She is livid when the Ugly Sisters (who are actually quite sweet) go to a party without her: “It not fair!” she wails. “I not stay here! I want to go toooo!” Luckily, her Fairy Godmother/babysitter is on hand to “magic” Cinderella over to the party—Cinderella insists, firmly, on wearing her blue dress, “stripey” hat, froggy coat, and “lello boots,” one of which she leaves behind. Cinderella’s prince, a similarly minded boy, returns the lost boot, “and they both played happily ever after.” With splashy watercolor-and-ink illustrations and a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek tone, Heapy and Heap celebrate the spirit of willful toddlers. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)