Traditional Tales-Review #2-Cinderella Variant

Louie, Ai-Ling. 1982. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. Ill. by Ed Young. New York: Philomel. ISBN 039920900X.

Plot Summary--

This "Cinderella" tale originally appeared in a book that dates from the T'ang dynasty (618-907 A.D.), pre-dating European versions of the Cinderella story. Yeh-Shen is the "Cinderella" who has a cruel, unfair stepmother and a stepsister. Yeh-Shen's only friend is a fish she caught and raised. Yeh-Shen's stepmother captures and kills the fish. Through this, Yeh-Shen learns the fish's bones are magical and will fulfill her heart's desires. Yeh-Shen longs to go to the spring festival but, of course, is not allowed to go. Her fish's bones provide her with an azure gown, feathered cloak, and golden slippers whose weave pattern looks like fish scales. She loses one of the slippers on the way home from the festival which provides the way for the king to find her.

Critical Analysis--

This variant contains some expected "Cinderella tale" elements, such as the evil stepmother, magic, the fancy dress, the dance, and the lost slipper. Some unexpected elements include only one stepsister, the fish bones, in lieu of a fairy godmother, and the manner is which Yeh-Shen is reunited with her lost, golden slipper.

The illustrations are beautiful and convey Chinese culture. Each page is sectioned into panels, either one, two, or three. The pictures are divided into these panels. Prominent in almost every picture is the fish. Blending into the mouth and eyes of the fish are the various characters and events from the story. Mr. Young's choice of colors conveys the feelings in the story. Dark plums and magentas are used for the fish when the stepmother and sister or serious events are depicted. Shades of light green are used to show the friendship between the fish and Yeh-Shen. Reds are used for the dancing and spring festival. Hues of turquoise blue and green are used to show Yeh-Shen in her finery and fortell her future status as queen.

Reviews--

Publishers Weekly-"Misty, jewel-like illustrations evoke the mythic past in this Chinese Cinderella story."

Booklist--"A misty dreamlike air. A worthwhile addition to picture-book collections."

Awards-

• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award Winner
• ALA Notable Children's Book
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• IRA Children's Choice
• IRA Teachers' Choice
  

Connections--

*Read other Asian Cinderella variants and compare them.

• Angkat: The Cambodian Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008090
• Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by J.R. Coburn ISBN 1885008015
• The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo ISBN 0064433978

*Read and compare other Cinderella variants from different cultures.

• The Turkey Girl: a Zuni Cinderella Story by Penny Pollack ISBN 0316713147
• Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story by Tomie dePaola ISBN 0399238662
• The Talking Eggs by Robert San Souci ISBN 0803706197
  

*On a map, locate the various countries or regions of origin for the stories.

*Re-write the story of Cinderella. Make the setting and the other elements specific to your town.

*Read other Chinese folktales.

• The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop ISBN 0698113578
• Two of Everything: A Chinese Folktale by Lily Toy Hong ISBN 0807581577
• The Lost Horse: A Chinese Folktale by Ed Young ISBN 015205023X
• The Weaving of a Dream: A Chinese Folktale by Marilee Heyer ISBN 0140505288