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86th out of 96 books
—
170 voters
Moss Gown
Candace finds herself cast out of her home by jealous older sisters, but with the help of a witch woman and a magical moss gown, she captures the heart of the young plantation owner.
Paperback, 48 pages
Published
October 1st 1990
by Sandpiper
(first published March 1st 1987)
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This is a very sweet rendition of the classic Cinderella story. It tells of a sick father who has three daughters. When he asks them how much they love him the older two daughters say they love him as much as diamonds and gold. All material things. When the youngest daughter Candace is asked she says "I love you more than salt loves meat". Not understanding what she means by this, the father is hurt. He gives all his land to the older daughters and they have Candace banished from the property. C...more
A cross between Cinderella and King Lear (as the Author's Note explains) Moss Gown is about an old man who doesn't have much time left on the Earth. He calls his three daughters to him to see who he should bestow his property onto. He two oldest daughters are selfish and flatter him by saying they love him more than any gem. His youngest, Candance, who he loves the most, says she loves him more than meat loves salt, which disappoints the old man. He bestows his lands on the older sisters, who in...more
3.5
A version of the Cinderella tale type that includes the King Lear element in which the father chooses the wicked daughters over the good daughter. He eventually realizes his mistake but must suffer before he is reunited with his daughter after she has married the Prince character.
What is also note-worthy in this version is that the Fairy Godmother character is a "slender, black woman with cat-green eyes." It's unclear to me if this story takes place pre- or post-American Civil War, but I thin...more
A version of the Cinderella tale type that includes the King Lear element in which the father chooses the wicked daughters over the good daughter. He eventually realizes his mistake but must suffer before he is reunited with his daughter after she has married the Prince character.
What is also note-worthy in this version is that the Fairy Godmother character is a "slender, black woman with cat-green eyes." It's unclear to me if this story takes place pre- or post-American Civil War, but I thin...more
One of my favorite stories ever! I still remember how entranced I was when my mother gave it to me over twenty years ago! ( Wow, I feel so old now!)
I love how this story blends King Lear and Cinderella with a Southern twist and that it is based on a story the author heard growing up. Oral storytelling at it's finest.
The "fairy godmother" doesn't give Candace at pumpkin carriage or glass slippers but like Cinderella she goes to the ball by turning a moss gown into a shimmering one.
Her sisters are...more
I love how this story blends King Lear and Cinderella with a Southern twist and that it is based on a story the author heard growing up. Oral storytelling at it's finest.
The "fairy godmother" doesn't give Candace at pumpkin carriage or glass slippers but like Cinderella she goes to the ball by turning a moss gown into a shimmering one.
Her sisters are...more
This is a well written story about a young girl who lives in the south with her sick father. Her sister just lie to him and tell him they love him more than gems. But the youngest girl who really does love him the most, says she loves them more than mean loves salt. He gets offended and demands that she leaves. She meets a witch who gives her the moss gown which allows her to meet her prince charming. Then she sees her father again and is able to regain his love. This type of southern Cinderella...more
The author William Hooks explains that the story is based on stories from the tidewater section of eastern North Carolina. The story itself is an interesting combination of King Lear and Cinderella. according to the author this stems from the early English roots in this area. While I found elements of it dated, the happy black servants in the big plantation house, it was interesting to think about how the Shakespeare's King Lear is really one of many folktales.
Moss Gown has some roots in dear North Carolina and it has been a favorite of mine since my younger days spilling over the 398.1 section in our school library. I adore the simple yet elegant phrasing Hooks uses to carry a timeless story to its rightful, and graceful, ending.
Jan 10, 2012
Susan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
character-education,
classic-stories,
family,
folktales,
grade-1,
grade-2,
grade-3,
grade-k,
kindness,
life-lessons,
variant-stories
An interesting take on the Cinderella story. This Americanized version from the tide water region of the United States adds elements of King Lear into the mix as our herorine loses and gains her fortune through an exploration of what it means to express true love.
An interesting take on the Cinderella story. This Americanized version from the tide water region of the United States adds elements of King Lear into the mix as our herorine loses and gains her fortune through an exploration of what it means to express true love.
Interesting hybrid of King Lear and Cinderella set in the South. The illustrations are very evocative of the mood of the book. I like how the text is arranged according to phrases rather than a straight block of prose.
Moss Gown = King Lear + Cinderella + Cajun magic + the South. If this story were a language it would be Afrikaans: European roots, other-continental fruits.
view all 3 comments
So many Cinderella-retellings out there, but this North Carolina version is unique in its King Lear additions. Love the beautiful illustrations.
Hard for my students to follow but a great version of Cinderella. Took some schema building.
A wonderful version of Cinderella, a magically story with Southern flair.
I loved this book when I was younger. As an adult I still love it :)
Reminiscent of King Lear and Cinderella
A Cinderella story
beautifully illustrated Cinderella story from the Southern US.
This is like a southern "Cinderella" (boy i've got a lot of these)I guess in a "gone with the wind" sorta way (except the heroine is much more selfless).
In Appalachia, a lot of the traditions are from Elizabethean England. Hence, a seamless story that combines Cinderella and King Lear. Well told by Hooks, amazingly illustrated by Carrick. I will definitely look for more by both creators.
Originally published in 1987. This book is basically the same story as "The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Tale from the Jewish Tradition," by Nina Jaffe. Pleas see my review of that book for more information.
Feb 26, 2012
Chandra
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chandra by:
Abigail
Moss Coat is a cross between Cinderella and King Lear with a dash of Cap O' Rushes (and like tales) set in the 'old South'. Nice narrative flow with lovely illustrations!
A wonderful Cinderella story based in the American Old South. "I love you the way a meat loves salt."
May 07, 2013
Daniela
marked it as to-read
May 06, 2013
Amber
added it
Apr 27, 2013
Legato Darksummers
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
daddy-dark-s-baby-warrior-list
Apr 19, 2013
Samayah
marked it as to-read
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Director of Publications at Bank Street College of Education
He collects folklore and lives in New York City
More about William H. Hooks...
He collects folklore and lives in New York City
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