Cinders and Sparks: Magic at Midnight (Cinders and Sparks, Book 1)

Cinders lives with her father, who works as a builder for King Picklebottom, and her stepmother, who is bossy and boring. She doesn't really get on well with her stepsisters - Cinders likes reading, arts and crafts, and playing outside in the forest. She doesn't mind getting messy at all; in fact, she doesn't even notice when it happens. Eleanor and Agnes love sitting neatly on the sofa, talking about fashion or Prince Joderick, and taking selfies. Before she can think about going out to enjoy herself with her dog, Sparks, Cinders has an awful lot of household chores to complete, although she's not very good at them. But one day, things change...Sparks begins to talk, Cinders finds that she can make (some of) her wishes come true, and she meets her fairy godmother, Brian, for the first time. When the rest of the family dress up and go off to a ball at the palace, Cinders magics up a ball gown, a carriage and horses and a footman, and pops on her mother's old glass slippers... You probably think you know what happens next, but you're in for some surprises! I received a free review copy of Cinders and Sparks. I didn't think I'd like it much... We have some promotional posters for the book, which are very pink and silver and shiny and glittery like the front cover of the book, and which our Key Stage 1 girls love. However, I was absolutely wrong. Cinders and Sparks is a clever and funny re-imagining of the Cinderella story which will appeal to readers who enjoy Princess Smartypants or The Paperbag Princess. I'd recommend it to both girls and boys aged from about 6 to 8 years old and I am looking forward to the next title in the series. 208 pages / Ages 6+ / Reviewed by Mandy Abel, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+

Cinders and Sparks: Magic at Midnight is a fantastic riff on the traditional Cinderella tale. While the first chapter starts off reasonably conventionally, with a bossy stepmother, annoying sisters and Cinders desperate to attend the palace ball, things quickly fly off on a hilarious tangent. This Cinders loves glitter, mess and is more than a little bit wild; the Fairy Godmother's name is Brian; and Prince Joderick wants to bake brownies rather than get married. More importantly, this Cinders is not sitting around waiting to be rescued, she can step up and take matters into her own hands, thank you very much. With its short chapters, numerous illustrations, star-spangled pages and bouncy plot, Cinders and Sparks is a great early chapter book for fans of Rainbow Magic, Witch Tricks and Isadora Moon. The story ricochets joyously around its fabulously offbeat fairytale world, encompassing runaway pigs, magical sausages (with which talking dog, Sparks, is obsessed) and fairy wars. Readers will love to spot the cameos (Frere Jacques, Bo Peep, Hansel etc.) Without giving too many spoilers, Cinders and Sparks do not get the traditional 'happily ever after' ending (thank goodness), but we do get heaps of fantasy fun, hilarious hijinks and crazy characters. Cinders and Sparks: Magic at Midnight is the first in a new series, and the ending, as Cinders and Sparks ride of in search of the truth about her past, sets up a brilliant introduction to Book 2: Fairies in the Forest (coming October 2019). A great addition to the offering for 7-9 year-olds, I can see these books flying off my library shelves. 208 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Carol Carter, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+

A long time ago, in a kingdom far, far away, there lived a girl with messy hair, bright eyes and terrible manners. She was used to taking orders from her stepmother and when she wasn't doing chores, enjoyed spending time outdoors. Her name was Cinders and you might think you know her story but you probably don't know this one. This Cinderella story is about a mud-loving, chore-hating, wish-granting heroine. Cinders' story begins at home, in her families' little pink cottage in the woods, with her miserable stepmother Margery, stepsisters Agnes and Eleanor and her father, the royal builder. She is constantly nagged about being messy, forgetful and not getting on with her chores. At least she has a supportive best friend, Sparks, her pet dog. Cinders' chore-filled life is perfectly ordinary, until she discovers she can magically make the dishes wash themselves and her dog Sparks begins to talk! When Brian, her fairy godmother, appears and explains that Cinders has the ability to make wishes come true, she can't quite believe what she is told. Having not been allowed to go the royal ball, Cinders' first wishes enable her to attend. But her immature magic will only last until midnight, so she decides to try and fit in as much fun before then. However, balls at the palace are not what she expected, they are actually quite boring. The only good thing is the desert table and the nice boy she meets hiding under it, who turns out to be Prince Joderick. He confides that he really wants to be a baker, and not to get married as his parents have commanded him. When Cinders' magic fades at midnight, she rushes home and you might think you know what happens next - but in a twist to the original tale, Cinders isn't ready for marriage and a life at the palace and escapes on a personal quest of her own... This is a fantastic fairy tale adventure, with a truly loveable heroine. There are lots of twists and turns that will be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone with a love of fairytale stories and their iconic characters. Author Lindsey Kelk has a witty narrative style, which adds lots of humour to Cinders' story. Pippa Curnick's illustrations are the perfect companion, bringing whimsical characters to life. Though it retains many of the traditional elements of the original Cinderella story, this tale feels modern and fresh. Clever twists in the plot make Cinders' story feel new and themes such as prejudice, loyalty to family obligation and challenging old traditions make the story feel more topical. Look out for the sequel - Fairies in the Forest. 208 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Emily Beale, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+

I thoroughly enjoyed this fabulously funny retelling of the Cinderella story. There's a modern Cinders to root for - one who doesn't use social media or believe in diets, but instead loves the outdoors and lots of cake! This Cinders can also grant her own wishes (with a kickstart from 'Brian',her fairy godmother). The dress, the ball and the Prince don't turn out to be the happy ending Cinderella wants for herself here. This is funny, clever and charmingly told. There is magic, talking animals and a brilliant, sassy Cinders to rewrite the fairytale rules. It leaves you longing for the next book! 208 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+