Cinderella

Castor offers a none-too-dark version of the Cinderella story, augmented with interactive elements that include flaps, a wheel, and a closing pop-up. Set in vertical panels whose stitched and patched edges allude to the rags aspect of Cinderella’s rags-to-riches story, Castor’s retelling strikes a casual, contemporary tone, while the sweetness of Coh’s illustrations downplays the abuse Cinderella suffers at her stepfamily’s hands; in an odd detail, Cinderella’s father retreats to his study early on, never to be heard from again. While basic, the interactive elements are used well—readers unfold the prince’s royal invitation as though opening a letter, and turning a wheel transforms a pumpkin into Cinderella’s coach and her tattered outfit into a peach gown. A solid interactive adaptation, if not an exceptional one. Ages 3–5. (May)