When you think of Cinderella, you probably don't think of a socket wrench.
However, after you read the picture book "Interstellar Cinderella" by Deborah Underwood, you definitely see the traditional fairy tale in a new way.
Here's how it begins: "Once upon a planetoid,/ amid her tools and sprockets, a girl named Cinderella dreamed/ of fixing fancy rockets."
As you'd expect, Cinderella's wicked stepsisters get to go to "the Prince's Royal Space Parade." But never fear, Cinderella's fairy godrobot shows up with just the right equipment and apparel to help Cinderella fly to the event.
When the Prince's spaceship begins to spew smoke and grit, Cinderella and her socket wrench are there to make the repairs. But - you guessed it - when Cinderella zooms home, she leaves her socket wrench behind.
ADVERTISEMENT
In addition to the change in setting, author Deborah Underwood presents some unique twists regarding Cinderella's character.
Cinderella is as kind-hearted as ever, but instead of being attracted to the prince, she's drawn to his spaceship. And when he proposes marriage, Cinderella presents an alternative plan that has nothing to do with romance.
Meg Hunt's illustrations provide the perfect blend of space-age fantasy and fairy tale architecture. Colorful aliens spin and swoop under the arches of the gravity-free Galactic Hall.
But I'm most impressed with Hunt's subtle play with design.
At first glance, the end illustration seems to show Cinderella wearing a gown with a large orange-and-blue hoop skirt. But when you look again, you'll see that she is perched on the top of a large oval hood of a spaceship.
"Interstellar Cinderella" is an inspiring book for take-charge, practical princesses and princes. But it will also inspire young writers to create unique stories about underdog heroes.
"Interstellar Cinderella," by Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by Meg Hunt. Chronicle Books, 2015. 40 pp.
