10 Different Versions of Cinderella

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There are so many different versions of Cinderella out there.  Many countries and cultures have their own version of the familiar story.  Because there are so many different versions, it makes it perfect to use when studying text to text connections.  Students can compare the different versions and determine what is the same and what is different.  Here are some of our favorite versions of Cinderella.  

In the traditional version of Cinderella that most of us know from the Disney movie, Cinderella lives with her wicked stepmother and stepsisters.  She is forced to cook and clean for them leaving nothing for herself.  One day, her fairy godmother makes her dream come true and enables her to go to the ball.  She meets Prince Charming but before he gets her name she must leave before the spell is broken.  She leaves behind her glass slipper which is the only way the prince can find her.  He has every maiden try on the slipper until he finds the one person it fits, Cinderella.  

Now some of these versions are very similar to the "Disney" version and just have a different location, dialect and characters.  However, some of these versions are very different and students will really have to study the text to find the similarities with the original version that they are familiar with.  This is also a great way to celebrate diversity in you class if you can find versions of Cinderella to match the background of your students. 

Some of these texts are fun and light hearted and could be used with younger students.  Some of these books are longer and might require more detailed analysis which would make it perfect for older students.  What is your favorite version of Cinderella?  If you can't get your hands on these books, try watching the videos HERE.  

Cindy Ellen by Susan Lowell is a wild western version of Cinderella.

  

Yeh-Shen by Ai-Lung Louie is a Chinese version of Cinderella.

The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin comes from Algonquin Indian folklore.

Adelita by Tomie dePaola is a Mexican Cinderella story.  

 

Prince Cinders by Babette Cole is a version with male characters for the lead roles.

The Golden Sandal by Rebecca Hickox is an Iraqi version of Cinderella.  

The Egyptian Cinderella by Shirley Climo is about Rhodopis is from Greece but is a slave in Egypt in this version.  

Cendrillon by Robery D. San Souci is a Caribbean version of Cinderella.

Cinder-Elly by Frances Minters is an urban and modern version of Cinderella set in Manhattan.

Ciderella and the Little Glass Sipper by Aaron Burakoff  is a farm version of Cinderella.