Cindy Ellen - A Wild Western Cinderella

Cindy Ellen - A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell takes Cinderella to the wide-open range of the west. In typical Cinderella fashion Cindy Ellen must do all the work. In this story, however, it is mending fence and tending cows. The handsome prince is the son of the biggest cattle king for miles around and the ball is a two-day celebration with a rodeo and square dance. Cindy Ellen’s fairy godmother has a pistol, not a wand and not only gives her fancy duds to wear but gumption. Cindy Ellen loses a diamond spur and Joe Prince, the rancher’s son, finds it. His search leads to the traditional Cinderella ending of happily ever after.

The traditional fantasy elements are present in this story. The simple and direct plot in a western setting with cowboy slang gives new life to the Cinderella story. The cruel stepmother and stepsisters are present to ensure Cindy Ellen is mistreated. Enhancing the western slang, the detailed illustrations bring life to the western setting and characters. The somewhat untraditional fairy godmother is an added treat in the story. The author, Susan Lowell, has used a western setting to retell “The Three Little Pigs” as “The Three Little Javelinas” also. I have used Cindy Ellen as a read-aloud and students love hearing the Cinderella story set in the west. They understand all the activities in the story and love comparing them to the original.

I would recommend this book for students in grades K-3.

Keywords: gumption, perseverance, western, kindness, jamboree, rodeo, cowgirl, stagecoach