The magic of the Cinderella story is timeless, but this version is particularly captivating.
Lotte works in a mill all day making and drying paper, while her horrible sisters lie around, issuing orders. Her only friends are the paper puppets she snips by the light of the moon. When the invitation arrives to the palace ball, not only do her sisters leave Lotte behind, but they destroy her puppets too. It’s then that Lotte realises that if she wants her happy ending, she’s going to have to make it herself and starts snipping a dress. It all plays out the way it always does – hoorah – Lotte’s skill with her scissors entrancing the prince. Laura Barrett makes wonderful use of silhouettes in her illustrations and there’s a magical gatefold too with peep through cut-out windows.
An author’s note explains that the book is inspired by the life and work of Charlotte ‘Lotte’ Reiniger, one of the world’s first film animators, and her fascination with silhouette puppetry and it’s a perfect tribute to Reiniger both in style and in its determined, creative central character.
Cinderella with a strong feminist twist, based on the life and work of pioneer German animator and film director Lotte Reiniger.
Lotte doesn't believe in happy endings. She lives with her horrible, bossy sisters and her only friends are the exquisite cut-out paper puppets she makes by the light of the moon. But when an invitation to the Palace Spring Ball arrives on their doorstep, Lotte sees her chance to change her life for ever... Cinderella with a difference where forceful individuality and talent create real life happy endings, not fairy tale magic.
Clare Helen Welsh (Author) Clare Helen Welsh is a primary school teacher and picture book writer extraordinarie! When she isn't writing stories she is inspiring children to write their own. In 2013, Clare won The Margaret Carey Scholarship for Picture Book Writers and she received a Silver Medal at The Greenhouse Funny Prize 2014. Clare lives in Devon with her husband and two children.Laura Barrett (Illustrator) Laura Barrett is an illustrator inspired by the darker side of folk and fairy tales, and enjoys working in the medium of traditional Scherenschnitte (paper cutting). Since graduating from University of the Arts London and with over 10 years of industry experience, Laura has worked with a stellar client list including the BBC and The Guardian. Laura works from her home studio in South East London.
