Traditional Literature: THE IRISH CINDERLAD

Bibliography

Climo, Shirley. 1996. The Irish Cinderlad. Ill. by Loretta Krupinski. New York, NY: Harper Collins. ISBN 0-06-024396-1.


Plot Summary

The Irish Cinderlad contains the essential elements of a "Cinderella" variant: wicked stepsisters, evil stepmother, harsh treatment of the protagonist, a magical helper, and a happy "ever-after". Becan, named "Little One" in Irish, grew enormous feet. His step family sent him to work as a herdboy, gave him little food, and much torment. While watching the cows, he befriends a magical bull, who provides Becan with filling meals and a sympathetic ear. When the stepsisters discover the bull, Becan and the bull flee. The bull is killed in a fight, but leaves Becan his tail. The tail helps Becan overcome a giant and win the giant's boots. It also aids in his fight with a dragon, saving a princess and winning her heart. He loses one of his giant boots at the scene of victory, and this boot helps the Princess locate Becan. Thus he becomes Prince Becan and begins a happy new life.

Critcial Analysis

Climo's version offers several benefits to those collecting "Cinderella" stories. The male protagonist may add interest to students familiar only with the Disney version. The author presents some wonderful imagery: Becan's mother popping porridge in his mouth every time it opened, or the local men stuffing shoes with straw and extra socks. The bull, according to the author's note, was held to be powerfully magic. The author's note also gives historical background to storytelling in Ireland. This tale is well paced and would hold appeal for middle elementary children.


Loretta Krupinski illustrated The Irish Cinderlad. The animals' fur and the flora have a pleasing textural appearance. The humans, in contrast, seem incomplete or soft. For example, the princess, who is tied to a post as a dragon sacrifice, pleads for help. However, her face appears tranquil, and she wears a small smile. The setting, disappointingly, indicates Europe, but not specifically Ireland.



Review Excerpt

Booklist: "According to the appended note, this 'Cinderella' variant is based primarily on Douglas Hyde's 'The Bracket Bull' and Sara Cone Bryant's 'Billy Beg and His Bull.' The retelling is satisfactory but lacks enough cultural detail to give it a distinctive Irish flavor. The illustrations are overly pretty and romanticized. When the text specifies a 'blue-green sea,' the picture shows a pinkish purple ocean. In a robust story of courage and danger, the dainty illustrations seem incongruous. This will be useful primarily in libraries where Climo's earlier titles, The Egyptian Cinderella (1989) and The Korean Cinderella (1993), are popular."

Connections

This book's simplicity and dialog would make it an excellent choice for a reader's theater written and produced in class.

Climo has written several "Cinderella" variants with protagonists from different countries. Collect them to begin a comparative study geographically.



Climo, Shirley. The Persian Cinderella. Ill. by Robert Florczak. ISBN:0064438538


Climo, Shirley. The Egyptian Cinderella. Ill. by Ruth Heller. ISBN:0833588788


Climo, Shirley. The Korean Cinderella. Ill. by Ruth Heller. ISBN:0064433978

An alternate book to introduce this Irish tale:

Greene, Ellen. Billy Beg and His Bull: An Irish Tale. Ill. by Kimberly Bulcken Root ISBN:0823411001