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Korean Cinderella

Name: Korean Cinderella
Author: Shirley Climo
ISBN: 9780064433976

by Shirley Climo, Ruth Heller

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Overview

'Climo and Heller conflate several Korean variants of Cinderella to offer up the story of Pear Blossom, a lovely girl who is sorely mistreated by her nasty stepmother and stepsister. At once comfortingly familiar and intriguingly exotic, the text is especially noteworthy for its instructive but unobtrusive incorporation of Korean words.'—Publishers Weekly. 'Heller's paintings are exotically lush and colorful as well as engaging. An agreeable retelling of the Cinderella story.' —BL.

Notable 1994 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)

In this version of Cinderella set in ancient Korea, Pear Blossom, a stepchild, eventually comes to be chosen by the magistrate to be his wife.

Synopsis

‘Climo and Heller conflate several Korean variants of Cinderella to offer up the story of Pear Blossom, a lovely girl who is sorely mistreated by her nasty stepmother and stepsister.… At once comfortingly familiar and intriguingly exotic, the text is especially noteworthy for its instructive but unobtrusive incorporation of Korean words.’—Publishers Weekly. ‘Heller’s paintings are exotically lush and colorful as well as engaging.… An agreeable retelling of the Cinderella story.’ —BL.

Notable 1994 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)

Children's Literature

Pear Blossom, a lovely Korean girl, is treated like a slave by her jealous stepmother and stepsister and forced to perform impossible tasks. With the help of magical creatures, tokgabis, Pear Blossom finishes all of her tasks just in time to see the prince in a procession. He sees the beautiful young lady lose her sandal and vows to marry the girl who wears the matching shoe. This masterfully retold version of Cinderella presents real Korean customs and includes dramatic, brightly colored illustrations.

About the Author, Shirley Climo

Shirley Climo's love of folklore began in her childhood and has provided the background for many of her children's books, such as The Korean Cinderella, Magic & Mischief: Tales from Cornwall, A Treasury of Princesses: Princess Tales from Around the World, A Treasury of Mermaids: Mermaid Tales from Around the World, and Someone Saw a Spider: Spider Facts and Folktales, an NCTE Teacher's Choice and Library of Congress Best Children's Book that was originally inspired by her research for Cobweb Christmas. Mrs. Climo and her husband live in Los Altos, California.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Marilyn Bagel

Every culture has its version of the children's classic Cinderella. This Korean version combines lyrical prose with exquisite illustrations to tell the story of Pear Blossom, her jealous stepmother Omoni, and stepsister Peony. The fairy godmother role is assumed by a group of magical animals. Omoni demands impossible tasks of Pear Blossom, and with their help, Pear Blossom meets the challenge and ultimately becomes a nobleman's wife. It should be noted that all the illustrations-from those depicting Korean rituals to the smallest clothing details-are the result of the illustrator's extensive research and passionate interest in Korean culture.

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

This adaptation of Cinderella is based on 3 versions of the tale known in Korea. Korean words add to the flavor of the story. Ms Heller's illustrations portray village life and dress as it was 300 years ago with designs inspired by patterns painted on the eaves of Korean temples. The heroine's name is Pear Blossom. As soon as her father remarries, her new stepfamily dub her "Pigling." Pear Blossom is aided by a 'tokgabi' (frog goblin) and a black ox. An intriguing version gracefully told. Children like to find elements they know to compare with the Perrault and Grimm versions.