About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels invisible, overshadowed by siblings, or discouraged by their physical appearance. It is an ideal choice for teaching that inner character and resilience are the true markers of beauty and worth. Set in an Ojibwa village, this retelling of the Cinderella story follows a young girl named Sootface who is mistreated by her sisters but remains kind and steadfast. The story highlights the triumph of a gentle spirit over cruelty and jealousy. While appropriate for children ages 5 to 10, it offers deep emotional resonance for those navigating sibling rivalry or social exclusion. It provides a beautiful cultural perspective on a familiar tale, emphasizing that those who look with their hearts see what others cannot.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book depicts emotional and physical neglect as the sisters force the protagonist into domestic servitude. The approach is traditional for a folktale, using the sisters' cruelty to highlight the protagonist's virtue. The resolution is highly hopeful and secular, though rooted in indigenous spiritual connections to nature.
