HarperCollins, 1999
ISBN 0-06-026763-1
Summary:
In ancient Persia, a girl is born with a star-shaped birthmark and is named Settareh, which means "star." Settareh, left motherless with a father "busy in the world of men," must fend for herself in the women's part of the house where she is often ignored except when being picked on by her stepsisters. In typical Cinderella fashion, Settareh has a generous spirit but few opportunities to move up in the world until she buys a broken pot that turns out to house a pari, a fairy that grants her wishes. Her mean sisters steal her pari, but Settareh is still able to meet her prince.
Critical Analysis:
This retelling of a traditional Persian fairytale is much more interesting than the Americanized Cinderella story. The gender-segregated household, bazaar, and magic hairpins are fascinating exotic details compared with the usual glass slippers and kingdom castle.
The illustrations in this book are amazing. Every page has fabulously detailed drawings, and every text block is surrounded by patterns resembling those found in Persian weaving.
The author notes at the end of the book that her story is a retelling based on earlier stories dating back to a ninth-century Persian book called A Thousand Tales. The illustrations are also well-researched. In fact, the illustrator used live models from the Persian community in Los Angeles when creating the drawings.
Overall, this book provides a much more substantial story than the usual Cinderella story.
Review Excerpts:
"The story, drawn from the Arabian nights, is nicely told. Embellishments new to Western readers include the transformation of Settareh, once united to her prince, into a dove through the treachery of her stepsisters. The magical means by which Settareh realizes her wishes is also an interesting variation. While the story has little in the way of emotional impact, beyond the theme of goodness and beauty ultimately rewarded, this beautifully produced book is bound to enchant young readers with a fondness for the exotic."
Elsa Marston
MultiCultural Review, December 1999, v. 8 no. 4
"Climo adds to her series of multicultural Cinderella books (The Korean Cinderella (1993)), once again choosing a version of the traditional story authentic to the culture. . . . Persian stories are not as plentiful as those from other cultures, and though the pacing isn't as successful as other versions, the memorable details (such as the thousand matched pearls that shower upon the new couple once the spell is broken) more than make up for it. Florczak's illustrations are stunningly exotic and beautiful. . . . A fine addition for any folktale collection."
Susan Dove Lempke
Booklist, July 1999, v. 95 no. 21
Connections:
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
Compare to other Cinderella books such as The Egyptian Cinderella, The Irish Cinderella, or The Korean Cinderella by the same author.
Inspect maps of Ancient Persia. On a modern map, locate the area that was once Persia. What countries are there now?
Why is the household segregated by gender? In what countries is this custom still common?
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