Sootypaws: A Cinderella Story by Maggie Rudy
Published by Henry Holt & Company on January 28, 2020
ISBN: 1250186048
Pages: 40
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
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In this Cinderella story, Rosie the mouse aka Sootypaws, lives with her stepmother and stepsisters after her mother is eaten by a tabby cat.  Her kindness to the animals in the garden is repaid by their assistance when she wants to attend the ball.  In a twist to the Cinderella ending, Rosie loves the prince but doesn’t want to get married.  She hates wearing the shoes, as does the Prince, so they shed the silly things and live “mousily ever after”  going on adventures.  The 3D images that make up the illustrations are the stand out.  Each page provides the scene in miniature of 3D.  Each two page spread shows a scene that have animals such as mice, frogs, birds, dragonflies and ants.  The mice wear elaborate outfits.  The scenery of walls, lanes, ponds, ornate furniture, fancy dishes and banquet tables filled with treats are all done in miniature.  One illustration shows the ball from aerial view and the miniature details are outstanding.   The book does not provide any information on Rudy’s art process but her website, maggierudy.com, explains the many steps to creating a scene.  It takes about a year to illustrate one picture book.  The artwork elevates this Cinderella story.

Review by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library