Friday, May 5, 2017

Spotlight Friday - Elly and the Smelly Sneaker 5.05.17


Time to get ready for the weekend!
Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.
Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.
Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!


You don't have to look far to find fractured fairy tales.  They've been making them for a long time - think about the different versions of well known tales you've heard!  

I remember the first clever fractured tales I ever read - Jon Scieszka's The Stinky Cheese Man.  It was so different - events/characters were changed, plot lines had new twists, there was more humor, and clever differences.  Since then I've come across others that I've added to my collection and I think I just added my next one.


Elly and the Smelly Sneaker: A Riches to Rags Story
Elly and the Smelly Sneaker - a Riches to Rags Story
written by Leslie Gorin
illustrated by Lesley Vamos
published by Sterling Children's Books


What I liked about this story is it isn't your regular Cinderella-rags-to-riches story.  This time, it's riches-to-being-a-kid story!  

Goodreads summary:
Elly has everything a girl could desire: bonbons, pretty clothes, maids to put everything in order, and a family that treats her like a princess. Except that, to her, life’s a boring, royal pain. All Elly really wants is to be with other kids—especially when they play baseball. She dreams of opening days, double plays, and joining the team. Then, one day, her fairy godfather arrives to make her wish come true. Will Elly FINALLY succeed in trading her glass slippers for a pair of smelly sneakers? A fun and inspiring twist on Cinderella that’s just right for today’s girls.

My quick thoughts:

I love the change in the story in that it doesn't start depressing... the step parent and siblings don't mistreat Elly... and Elly's desire is that she wants to play and play a sport!  I like that Elly is a good role model for young readers - not wanting the stereotypical outcome.  The story still stuck to the basic Cinderella outline, but made changes to the story that keeps it relevant to current times.

I think my favorite character is the designated (keeping with baseball lingo) fairy godfather.  He's comfortable in pink, he's ok that he's just pinch hitting for the fairy godmother (who is busy bungee jumping), and will let me do a really fun accent when I get to say his "ah, fuggedaboutit!" (that is going to be so fun)

And I need to mention the illustrations!  I first saw Lesley Vamos' work in Jill Diamond's Lou Lou and Pea book (and if you haven't seen that one, go pick it up!).  I love her illustrations and she does a great job switching from fancy gown scenes to baseball ones!


Is this a book you would like to add to your classroom shelves?  Sterling Children's Books has generously donated a copy to giveaway!  Enter below for your chance to add this book to your collection (must be 13 years old to enter, US residents only).  The giveaway will close Thursday, May 11th at 7pm CST.

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