Cinderella

Illustrated by K. Y. Craft

SeaStar Books, 2000
$15.95 hardcover
32 pages

Wicked stepmother. Handsome prince. Fairy godmother. Enchanted pumpkin. Glass slipper. Cinderella.

There are no surprises in this picture book, no clever twists of plot. This Cinderella is as straightforward as the classic comes. And really, the text is mere accompaniment for Kinuko Y. Craft's gorgeous illustrations.

Craft is the reason to read and linger over this edition of Cinderella. Each of her fifteen paintings is a work of fine art, rich with tiny detail. Cinderella's dresses alone are a lavish display of pearls, gems, flowers, shells, and a froth of lace and expensive cloths. The quality and style of Craft's work is such that some of these pictures would be equally at home in a museum gallery as in this fairy tale book.

There is decoration on the text pages, too: illuminated initial letters and painted borders. Birds, mice, lizards and other animals play in the ornamental curlicues that sweep around each page.

Kinuko Y. Craft's Cinderella is a beautifully illustrated book, well worth giving and long and careful look.

Reviewed by Wendy Morris. © 2000 by Wendy Morris.

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