Belinda and the Glass Slipper

Belinda the Ballerina

by Amy Young

When her arch rival, Miss Lola Mudge, locks her in the closet in an attempt to steal the show, celebrated ballerina Belinda, with the help of her Fairy Godmother and a pair of huge glass slippers, dances her way back into the spotlight!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Cinderella, Art, Fairy Tales, Pre K

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2006

About the author

Amy Young trained as a fine artist at Yale and received an MFA in painting from Indiana University as well as a law degree from Harvard. She lives in Spring Lake, Michigan.

Reviews

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to like about fairy tale retellings? In Belinda and the Glass Slipper, Belinda auditions for the Grand Metropolitan Ballet's production of the classic, Cinderella. She has to beat out fellow ballerina, Lola, for the title role, and she does thanks to her huge, perfect feet. But Lola won't let that setback stop her from trying to steal the spotlight.

When I finished reading this, I wanted to read it again right away. It pays pays homage to Cinderella (naturally) with adorable winks and nudges, but stands alone as a humorous tale. I loved, too, the ending, because sometimes our talents are made for other sports.

[(NS) Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belinda is auditioning for the Grand Metropolitan Ballet's production of Cinderella. She is the perfect dancer for the part. Miss Lola Mudge boasts that her "perfect, tiny feet" make her ideal for the lead, but she loses out to Belinda's superior skills and grace. On opening night, Lola locks Belinda in a broom closet and takes her place as Cinderella. With offstage help from her onstage fairy godmother, Belinda arrives in time for the prince to try the glass slipper on her foot. One thing is certain: no one but Belinda can fill her shoes.

This fun delightful story is sure to be a favorite of kindergarten through third grade students.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Belinda story I have read.

Fun! Some mean content due to the Cinderella theme, but a great story about being proud of what makes you different.
*What stuck out to me was how focused the story was on the bully. Maybe it's just me, but I almost rooted for Lola - the crafty, hard working, underdog

A retelling of Cinderella as a big footed ballerina who is torched by Lola, a fellow ballerina.

[Becky H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalya's new favorite book. Belinda has been cast as Cinderella in the ballet. She has very large feet but is very graceful. But she must compete for the roll of Cinderella. One of the girls wants the roll so bad that she locks Belinda in a closet on opening day. But Belinda still manages to get her Prince.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belinda is in a production of Cinderella. One of the other ballerinas thinks she should be Cinderella so she makes the ballet more like a true Cinderella story. Read to find out how the ballet turns out for Belinda.

[Lisita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute cinderella twist.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big footed ballerina myself (though far, far less talented than Belinda), I can't resist these books. And I especially like the twist at the end of this one!

[Jenny Forgay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great remake of Cinderella involving my beloved Belinda. My little girl enjoys every story she is in. Great book to use when showing your students that their is only one of them.

[Katy Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! It just spoke to me for some reason.

[Joe Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda in a take off on the traditional Cinderella story, sure to be enjoyed by Belinda fans.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book that models self-acceptance, in this case having big feet as a ballerina who is to dance as Cinderella. A wonderful relief from all the 'perfect' physical attributes versions.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today has been Belinda-filled! I love how this author tells a story.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so cute! A new take on the Cinderella story, the book gives an account of a ballerina who deals with the actions of a jealous girl who wants her position. Adorable.

[Kimberly]

We love the two Belinda books we've read, so I'll be tracking down this one as well.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Girl fights.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda is in a production of Cinderella, but her story also mirrors the Cinderella story, so there's kind of a trippy melding going on. Really fun, and I love how Belinda asserts herself.

[Marcelaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun Cinderella story about a talented ballerina with big feet.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belinda is the lead in the ballet, but Lola wants the part. Read the book and discover what happens when Lola tries to sabotage the ballet.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun Belinda adventure with a fairytale twist. Most enjoyable read.

[Esodhiambo · Rating 2 out of 5]

ballet jargon
sportsmanship
prediction
cinderella

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda is a ballerina who has gigantic feet. When she competes with a girl for the part of Cinderella in a show, the other girl sabotages Belinda.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Storytime on April 11th
Theme: Just Dance!

[Creyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting but a wonderful retelling.

[♥Sabulous ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

If Black Swan was made for kids.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has delighted all my children. We are all unique and wonderful just because. The drama of the ballet is enjoyable! Trying to say the French words is also a treat!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda has a very spoiled rival for the lead roll in the Cinderella ballet. The rival sabotages Belinda at every turn in an attempt to steal the show. The dedication and talent of Belinda ballerina win out in the end. And there are just deserts dealt at the story resolution.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two dancers vie for the lead role in the ballet of Cinderella. When the girl with the large feet (but the better dancer) get the role, the other girl begins to plot a way to undermine her. Lots of Cinderella-esque themes in the behind the curtain drama, wherein the chosen ballerina gets her recognition by fitting the ballet shoe. Kinda meta.

Illustrations are okay.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book went along perfectly with my library lesson on finding a "good fit" book!