Small Florence, Piggy Pop Star

This clever Cinderella retelling writes the prince out of the action and substitutes the heartfelt wish of many a young TV watcher: pop star celebrity. Florence's older sisters are sure they're the ones with talent, and they prepare for their appearance on television with all the affectation and scorn of the original stepsisters (“Those boots are so last year!” they shout as they pick out their stage costumes). But Florence practices in secret, and when the big day comes, the sisters freeze and Florence's performance wows the judges and clinches her pop career. (Subsequently, she makes a name for herself with “songs about love, life, and vegetarianism.”) Working mostly in midnight blues and spotlight yellows—and piggy pink, of course—Alexander's (Lucy and the Bully ) spots, multiple panels, and three-quarter page spreads add flash to the pages. Florence's big voice is represented by enormous swirls of blue, and Alexander has a good time imagining the things animals on a pop star show might sing about (“Bright ears burning like fire...” croons a bunny into a microphone). Many laughs will find Florence lots of fans. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)