MultiCultural Review

Renee Ting

on August 18, 2008 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MultiCultural Review has a review of Jouanah: A Hmong Cinderella by Jewell Reinhart Coburn and illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien.

"This story will attract those interested in collecting or teaching the many versions of the Cinderella story as it has appeared in several dozen different cultures. The "extras" (not found in Grimm's commonly known Cinderella) include a loving mother who willingly sacrifices herself by turning herself into a cow whose spirit takes on the role of the "fair godmother." We find the ugly and jealous stepmother and lazy stepsister who make Jouanah work hard, and the handsome and eligible young man who recognizes the goodness of Jouanah as well as her loveliness... The characters are most expressive and colorful, and the border designs are taken from textile patterns.

« Small Press Magazine | Main | Archives | School Library Journal »

View Bigger
Buy This Book

"...beautifully illustrated and sensitively told. A marvelous addition to a classroom collection of multicultural tales."

-Children's Book Review

Jewell Reinhart Coburn has lived abroad and studied an array of diverse cultures. She is the recipient of a doctorate in Higher Education Administration and of two honorary degrees, plus many literary awards. Her two other books on Cinderella have received rave reviews. She currently lives in Santa Barbara, California, with her husband, Bill.

Anne Sibley O'Brien grew up in South Korea as the daughter of medical missionaries. She was introduced to the Hmong in 1979 when her parents worked at Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand. She has a major in studio art and has illustrated countless books for children.

Shen’s Books is a publisher of multicultural children’s literature that emphasizes cultural diversity and tolerance, with a focus on introducing children to the cultures of Asia.

Through books, we can share a world a stories, building greater understanding and tolerance within our increasingly diverse communities as well as throughout our continuously shrinking globe.