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The Rough-Face Girl
This moving adaptation of the classic children's story Cinderella tells how a disfigured Algonquin girl wins the heart of a mysterious being who lives by the lake near her village.
The powerful Invisible Being is looking for a wife, and all the girls in the village vie for his affections. But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world.
The dramatic illustrations reflect the vibrant earth colors of the native landscape and the wisdom and sensitivity of the protagonist.
The powerful Invisible Being is looking for a wife, and all the girls in the village vie for his affections. But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world.
The dramatic illustrations reflect the vibrant earth colors of the native landscape and the wisdom and sensitivity of the protagonist.
32 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 1998
75 people are currently reading
6445 people want to read
About the author
Rafe Martin
41 books46 followersRafe Martin is an award-winning author and storyteller, as well as a lay Zen teacher in the Harada-Yasutani koan line. He is founding teacher of Endless Path Zendo, Rochester, NY.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Empire State Award for the body of his work, as well as multiple American Library Association Notable Book Awards and Parent's Choice Gold Awards. He has been featured at such storytelling events as the Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth and Story, The Sierra Storytelling Festival, and the National Storytelling Festival. He is the father of two grown children and lives with his wife, Rose, in Rochester, NY.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Empire State Award for the body of his work, as well as multiple American Library Association Notable Book Awards and Parent's Choice Gold Awards. He has been featured at such storytelling events as the Joseph Campbell Festival of Myth and Story, The Sierra Storytelling Festival, and the National Storytelling Festival. He is the father of two grown children and lives with his wife, Rose, in Rochester, NY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 857 reviews
August 12, 2018
A lovely short Native American folk tale similar to Cinderella in that it has a mistreated girl who rises to prominence above her sisters due to her good heart catching the eye of a higher-up fellow. But unlike the European variety, this one doesn't have a fairy godmother and relies entirely on the girl's resourcefulness; she depends on her intelligence to win.
There's other familiar elements like the "slippers" and fine clothes for going to the grand place, but no cabbage carriage and midnight deadlines, and the "Prince" is more mysterious, harder to define. The latter part and the explanation for why our cinder girl is "rough-faced" make me say this one also has just a wee pinch of Beauty and the Beast as well. The art is great, looks like paintings and the scenes complement the text very well, and the illustrations probably look much better in print than in my Kindle edition.
There's other familiar elements like the "slippers" and fine clothes for going to the grand place, but no cabbage carriage and midnight deadlines, and the "Prince" is more mysterious, harder to define. The latter part and the explanation for why our cinder girl is "rough-faced" make me say this one also has just a wee pinch of Beauty and the Beast as well. The art is great, looks like paintings and the scenes complement the text very well, and the illustrations probably look much better in print than in my Kindle edition.
October 23, 2022
This Algonquin Folklore version of the Cinderella tale is a feast for the eyes and a reminder that we should look for what is in the heart. The rough-face girl is ridiculed and mocked by her sisters and the other villagers, but she alone has the heart and eyes to see the invisible being. The "prince" in this adaptation of the story is like the God of the scriptures with a rainbow for a bow and the stars as his sled runner. Rafe Martin and David Shannon have given us a gift in this picture book.
August 4, 2019
An indigenous version of Cinderella. The illustrations are breathtaking!
April 3, 2009
An interesting, beautifully illustrated Algonquin tale reminiscent of Cinderella. The ending is fascinating and I'm still trying to figure out all of the possible endings besides the obvious "happily ever after" with her "prince." It's so intriguing that she "sees his face everywhere" even though no one else can see him. I wonder if this is to reflect that, when we love someone, they are always present with us. Whether there is a deeper Spiritual meaning here (is the marriage in someway symbolic--i.e., she is not really marrying a "man"--as with nuns in Catholicism, perhaps)? I know I'm reaching, but I just want to know MORE about the story and its Algonquin interpretations! :-)
November 28, 2017
My students and I read this book and instantly connected it to Cinderella. The students enjoyed the story and found it interesting.
"This moving adaptation of the classic children's story Cinderella tells how a disfigured Algonquin girl wins the heart of a mysterious being who lives by the lake near her village.
The powerful Invisible Being is looking for a wife, and all the girls in the village vie for his affections. But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world."
"This moving adaptation of the classic children's story Cinderella tells how a disfigured Algonquin girl wins the heart of a mysterious being who lives by the lake near her village.
The powerful Invisible Being is looking for a wife, and all the girls in the village vie for his affections. But only the girl who proves she can see him will be his bride. The two beautiful but spoiled daughters of a poor village man try their best to be chosen, but it is their Rough-Face-Girl sister, scarred on her face and arms from tending fires, who sees the Invisible Being in the wonder of the natural world."
September 26, 2023
Called an Algonquin version of Cinderella by the blurb, I found The Rough-Face Girl to have more notes of the Cupid & Psyche myth than Cinderella. There's no orphan status or wicked step-family here. However, there is an element of a seen/unseen lover and miraculous beauty, which reminds me more of Cupid & Psyche than anything else.
I enjoyed this story, as I love anything that carries the air of the Great Lakes, and the Invisible Being beats Prince Charming all hollow. It would be an ideal read outdoors where you can see the Invisible Being's bow and the runners of his sled.
I enjoyed this story, as I love anything that carries the air of the Great Lakes, and the Invisible Being beats Prince Charming all hollow. It would be an ideal read outdoors where you can see the Invisible Being's bow and the runners of his sled.
September 20, 2019
A Northwest Native America Indian Pysche/Cinderella story. It's beautifully illustrated and makes a wonderful gift or addition to any elementary or even middle school classroom dealing with fairy tales or mythology and their connections.
November 19, 2020
Absolutely gorgeous.
September 20, 2011
I have read many versions of this classic Native American “Cinderella” story, but never have I read a version with such dramatic illustrations. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a Native American tale retold by Rafe Martin along with illustrations by David Shannon and it details about how a young miserable girl realizes that having a pure heart can set her free. “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly brilliant tale for children to enjoy for many years!
In a village near Lake Ontario, there lived a poor man who had three daughters. The two older daughters were vain and cruel and they treated their youngest sister cruelly by making her do all the housework to the point where the younger sister was charred and looked hideous. One day, the invisible being who was a rich and powerful man wanted to have a wife and he would only marry the woman who could see him.
Before I have read this book, I had read another version of the popular “Cinderella” Native American tale called “Sootface” which was written by Robert D. San Souci. Well by this time, I have already known this story and it was no surprise that it was once again about a young girl who was mistreated by her sisters, however her pure heart wins her the man of her dreams. Rafe Martin’s writing is extremely dramatic and uplifting and I loved the way that the youngest daughter did everything she could to win the prince’s heart including making her own clothes despite being ridiculed by her village and her sisters. It was also nice how Rafe Martin showed the sisters’ cruelness to their youngest sister as something so undesirable and how their wicked ways caused their undoing towards the end. David Shannon’s illustrations are extremely marvelous in this book as all the characters look extremely beautiful, especially of the artwork of the blue skies and I really loved the image of the invisible man being shown as some kind of symbol in the sky as his eyes are shown as birds and a rainbow expresses his nose and it blends so well with the sky that I did not recognize this image until I look closer. Probably my favorite image of the invisible being was when he was riding through the Milky Way that was made of stars. I also loved the Native American clothing the characters wear as they all look so stunning, especially of the cruel sisters’ clothing as they have beaded moccasins and gorgeous necklaces that make them sparkle through the illustrations.
Parents should know that there are some scary images in this book such as how some characters are shown in shadows and their faces are darken and look a little menacing. While these images might scare smaller children, the images that might scare smaller children the most would be when the youngest daughter meets the invisible man and his large appearance in the dark might look a bit frightening. Parents might want to read this book first before they read it to their child to see if they do not mind scary images.
Overall, “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly memorizing book for children who are interested in Native American folktales and who love “Cinderella” styled tales. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since there are some images that might scare smaller children.
In a village near Lake Ontario, there lived a poor man who had three daughters. The two older daughters were vain and cruel and they treated their youngest sister cruelly by making her do all the housework to the point where the younger sister was charred and looked hideous. One day, the invisible being who was a rich and powerful man wanted to have a wife and he would only marry the woman who could see him.
Before I have read this book, I had read another version of the popular “Cinderella” Native American tale called “Sootface” which was written by Robert D. San Souci. Well by this time, I have already known this story and it was no surprise that it was once again about a young girl who was mistreated by her sisters, however her pure heart wins her the man of her dreams. Rafe Martin’s writing is extremely dramatic and uplifting and I loved the way that the youngest daughter did everything she could to win the prince’s heart including making her own clothes despite being ridiculed by her village and her sisters. It was also nice how Rafe Martin showed the sisters’ cruelness to their youngest sister as something so undesirable and how their wicked ways caused their undoing towards the end. David Shannon’s illustrations are extremely marvelous in this book as all the characters look extremely beautiful, especially of the artwork of the blue skies and I really loved the image of the invisible man being shown as some kind of symbol in the sky as his eyes are shown as birds and a rainbow expresses his nose and it blends so well with the sky that I did not recognize this image until I look closer. Probably my favorite image of the invisible being was when he was riding through the Milky Way that was made of stars. I also loved the Native American clothing the characters wear as they all look so stunning, especially of the cruel sisters’ clothing as they have beaded moccasins and gorgeous necklaces that make them sparkle through the illustrations.
Parents should know that there are some scary images in this book such as how some characters are shown in shadows and their faces are darken and look a little menacing. While these images might scare smaller children, the images that might scare smaller children the most would be when the youngest daughter meets the invisible man and his large appearance in the dark might look a bit frightening. Parents might want to read this book first before they read it to their child to see if they do not mind scary images.
Overall, “The Rough-Face Girl” is a truly memorizing book for children who are interested in Native American folktales and who love “Cinderella” styled tales. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since there are some images that might scare smaller children.
April 20, 2011
This is a folk story from Algonquin Indian folklore, and it’s unmistakably a variant on the Cinderella tale.
Here, the Cinderalla figure is scarred by fire from the work she’s had to do and she’s the one who has to find/see the prince figure in order to marry him.
There is a whole theme of beauty on the inside being what’s important, and here nature also plays a central role. The “invisible being” our heroine wants to marry seems to be one with nature.
The ending seems open to interpretation, but perhaps it is clearer than it seemed to me. I’ll refrain from giving my ideas because they would be verging on being spoilers, even though I am not sure what the end means.
The illustrations are fabulous, each one a worthy painting on its own, but the story and pictures meld beautifully.
Here, the Cinderalla figure is scarred by fire from the work she’s had to do and she’s the one who has to find/see the prince figure in order to marry him.
There is a whole theme of beauty on the inside being what’s important, and here nature also plays a central role. The “invisible being” our heroine wants to marry seems to be one with nature.
The ending seems open to interpretation, but perhaps it is clearer than it seemed to me. I’ll refrain from giving my ideas because they would be verging on being spoilers, even though I am not sure what the end means.
The illustrations are fabulous, each one a worthy painting on its own, but the story and pictures meld beautifully.
October 16, 2020
Mistreated by her two older sisters, and made to do all of the work, a young Algonquin girl becomes so singed and covered with scars that she is called Rough-Face Girl in this Native American variant of the 'persecuted heroine' tale-type, sometimes called the
Cinderella
story. When her sisters visit the wigwam of the Invisible Being who lives in their village, each hoping to become his wife, they use all of the family's finery, but find that after telling lies, and pretending to see the great hunter, they are sent home in disgrace. Rough-Face Girl then sets out, clothed in the finery provided by the forest, but unlike her sisters her kind heart allows her to truly see the Invisible Being...
Rafe Martin's The Rough-Face Girl is the third retelling of this seemingly widespread tale from the Algonquin peoples of native North America, following upon Terri Cohlene's Little Firefly: An Algonquian Legend and Robert D. San Souci's Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story , that I have read. I found Martin's telling engaging, and David Shannon's accompanying artwork beautiful, although I think I prefer the San Souci, by just a margin. I do find it interesting, when considering this story, that the heroine's prospective bridegroom seems supernatural, with his bow made of the rainbow, and his sled made of the Milky Way. Is he meant to be a spirit being? Does Rough-Face Girl's union with him have some greater significance, beyond the usual 'kindness is rewarded with connubial bliss' that one sees in this kind of story? I'd love to know more about Martin's specific sources for this telling, but unlike San Souci, he does not provide that information. Still, leaving aside these questions, this is an enjoyable story, one that is paired with strikingly beautiful artwork. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in worldwide variants of the Cinderella story.
Rafe Martin's The Rough-Face Girl is the third retelling of this seemingly widespread tale from the Algonquin peoples of native North America, following upon Terri Cohlene's Little Firefly: An Algonquian Legend and Robert D. San Souci's Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story , that I have read. I found Martin's telling engaging, and David Shannon's accompanying artwork beautiful, although I think I prefer the San Souci, by just a margin. I do find it interesting, when considering this story, that the heroine's prospective bridegroom seems supernatural, with his bow made of the rainbow, and his sled made of the Milky Way. Is he meant to be a spirit being? Does Rough-Face Girl's union with him have some greater significance, beyond the usual 'kindness is rewarded with connubial bliss' that one sees in this kind of story? I'd love to know more about Martin's specific sources for this telling, but unlike San Souci, he does not provide that information. Still, leaving aside these questions, this is an enjoyable story, one that is paired with strikingly beautiful artwork. Recommended to young folklore enthusiasts, and to readers interested in worldwide variants of the Cinderella story.
July 15, 2018
This Algonquin folktale offers a twist on the usual Cinderella story. This would-be Cinderella's outward beauty has been ruined by years of tending the family's fire, though her heart is beautiful and kind. Her older sisters are lovely, but vain and cruel. All the girls hope to marry the Invisible Being, but first . . . they must pass his wise sister's test. David Shannon's lovely and atmospheric paintings really add to the mood.
February 1, 2025
An Indigenous version of Cinderella??? YESS PLEASE!!
March 30, 2024
Native American Heritage Month: book number 9.
An Indigenous retelling of Cinderella which takes place near the shores of Lake Ontario in an Algonquin village.
Each girl in the village wants to marry the Invisible Spirit, but to do so, you must be able to see him. The Rough-Faced Girl is the youngest daughter of a poor man. She is rough-faced and scarred from the sparks of the fire which her sisters have always forced her to tend.
Her older sisters go to the sister of the Invisible Spirit and request his hand in marriage. They fail the test because they have never seen him.
When the Rough-Faced Girl goes to the sister of the Invisible Spirit, she is quickly recognized for her inner beauty and courage. The Rough-Faced Girl has seen the Invisible Spirit in the beauty of the rainbow and the stars in the night sky. Having passed the test, the sister of the Invisible Spirit gives the girl a beautiful buckskin dress and shell necklace. When the Rough-Faced Girl bathes in the lake, her scars wash away and her hair returns to glossy black.
The illustrations are beautiful. The last one shows the newly wed couple in a canoe heading off for an implied happily ever after.
I like how inner beauty and strength are highly valued in this story, as well as a secondary theme of having the wisdom to see and value the beauty of the natural world.
An Indigenous retelling of Cinderella which takes place near the shores of Lake Ontario in an Algonquin village.
Each girl in the village wants to marry the Invisible Spirit, but to do so, you must be able to see him. The Rough-Faced Girl is the youngest daughter of a poor man. She is rough-faced and scarred from the sparks of the fire which her sisters have always forced her to tend.
Her older sisters go to the sister of the Invisible Spirit and request his hand in marriage. They fail the test because they have never seen him.
When the Rough-Faced Girl goes to the sister of the Invisible Spirit, she is quickly recognized for her inner beauty and courage. The Rough-Faced Girl has seen the Invisible Spirit in the beauty of the rainbow and the stars in the night sky. Having passed the test, the sister of the Invisible Spirit gives the girl a beautiful buckskin dress and shell necklace. When the Rough-Faced Girl bathes in the lake, her scars wash away and her hair returns to glossy black.
The illustrations are beautiful. The last one shows the newly wed couple in a canoe heading off for an implied happily ever after.
I like how inner beauty and strength are highly valued in this story, as well as a secondary theme of having the wisdom to see and value the beauty of the natural world.
February 23, 2015
The illustrations just SLAY me!
Gorgeous, beautiful and rich and dark and full and lively and soft and... I love them so much Pee-Wee Herman asked my why don't I marry them and I said "I will" and had a little ceremony and a honeymoon where I stared at them over and over...
Seriously.
The story is a nice adaptation, using what seem to be authentic Algonquin themes and mores, but as I am not Algonquin, I can only guess. The similarity to the classic "Cinderella" tale are obvious, but this story seems to have more depth in ways.
She sees his face everywhere, although no one else does. Does this mean she sees who he really is, even when others don't? Does it mean she see that he is really a god? the earth? spirit incarnate?
So many questions! So little time until our 1 month anniversary...
Gorgeous, beautiful and rich and dark and full and lively and soft and... I love them so much Pee-Wee Herman asked my why don't I marry them and I said "I will" and had a little ceremony and a honeymoon where I stared at them over and over...
Seriously.
The story is a nice adaptation, using what seem to be authentic Algonquin themes and mores, but as I am not Algonquin, I can only guess. The similarity to the classic "Cinderella" tale are obvious, but this story seems to have more depth in ways.
She sees his face everywhere, although no one else does. Does this mean she sees who he really is, even when others don't? Does it mean she see that he is really a god? the earth? spirit incarnate?
So many questions! So little time until our 1 month anniversary...
March 29, 2019
Name: The Rough-face Girl
Genre: Fairy Tale/Folk Lore
Version: Native American / Algonquin culture
Genre: Fairy Tale/Folk Lore
Version: Native American / Algonquin culture
February 11, 2025
2025 review:
This is still a lovely book, but it isn't really representative of the original Mi'kmaq story. It ends halfway through the story to make it fit the Cinderella tale type. I know he said he shortened it, but it still doesn't sit right with me, especially since he didn't name his sources.
Original review: 5 stars
A lovely Algonquin version of Cinderella. The author's note says this is just a part of a much longer tale. Does anyone know the name of the longer work, and a reliable edition? I'd like to read more of their stories. I think this one might be in my top five favorite versions of Cinderella.
This is still a lovely book, but it isn't really representative of the original Mi'kmaq story. It ends halfway through the story to make it fit the Cinderella tale type. I know he said he shortened it, but it still doesn't sit right with me, especially since he didn't name his sources.
Original review: 5 stars
A lovely Algonquin version of Cinderella. The author's note says this is just a part of a much longer tale. Does anyone know the name of the longer work, and a reliable edition? I'd like to read more of their stories. I think this one might be in my top five favorite versions of Cinderella.
December 19, 2021
Very enchanting and captivating characters.
February 22, 2024
I remember seeing an episode about this “Cinderella” story in the old PBS show, The Book of Virtues, and it was always my favorite story they showed! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon this book! The images look so familiar, I’m certain my mom read this book to me as a child too. Just a beautiful story!! ✨
August 13, 2017
I loved this story! It's nice to see some different tales making their way into the scope of children's literature. Books such as these really broaden a child's mind, allowing them to empathize with other peoples and cultures.
October 5, 2009
This Native American version of the Cinderella story is lovely and haunting. It is a fitting parallel to the original or the "Disney" version which is well known to most students--and you could easily picture a discussion of comparison and contrast. The references in text and pictures to Algonquin Indian culture is woven into the story of a young girl, mistreated by her older sisters, who through self reliance and determination finds herself worthy of true love. What stands out to me are the faces of the characters painted by David Shannon--the taunting and pride of her sisters, the "awesome face" she sees in the beauty of nature, the grounded calm of the Invisible Being's sister, and the joy of the Rough Faced Girl bathing in the magic lake.
May 23, 2018
A gorgeously illustrated fusion of Mi'kmaq folktales and the traditional French version of Cinderella. The youngest sister of three, scarred and ashed-stained, is the only one who can see the powerful Invisible Being for who he truly is, which eventually leads her to leave her abusive family for a better life. Here we see the tried-and-true concept of internal beauty triumphing over external, wonderfully detailed by the illustrations of David Shannon.
February 22, 2021
In this retelling of an Algonquin traditional tale, a girl’s sisters badly mistreat her and force her to sit so close to the fire that the sparks disfigure her. When the Invisible Being comes to their village in search of a bride, these sisters hope to win his love, but they cannot see him. Only their younger sister can, and she wins his acceptance and love.
This story has vivid, colorful illustrations that capture cultural details related to indigenous American life and spirituality. The text is smooth and easy to read, and the story can make a good read-aloud. However, one spoiler that people may be interested to know up front is that Some parents will also be concerned with the full-page illustration of her bathing, because even though her hair covers her chest, some people will find the illustration overly sensual for a children’s book. Still, this book can be an entertaining story, an opportunity to learn about Native American tales, and a way to contrast Cinderella variants or explore questions related to indigenous spirituality. Because this book introduces many different topics to discuss, parents and teachers can direct the discussion at different levels for elementary-aged children and middle schoolers.
This story has vivid, colorful illustrations that capture cultural details related to indigenous American life and spirituality. The text is smooth and easy to read, and the story can make a good read-aloud. However, one spoiler that people may be interested to know up front is that Some parents will also be concerned with the full-page illustration of her bathing, because even though her hair covers her chest, some people will find the illustration overly sensual for a children’s book. Still, this book can be an entertaining story, an opportunity to learn about Native American tales, and a way to contrast Cinderella variants or explore questions related to indigenous spirituality. Because this book introduces many different topics to discuss, parents and teachers can direct the discussion at different levels for elementary-aged children and middle schoolers.
October 14, 2023
After reading the author’s note, I want to find the longer version of this story to read in its entirety because this very short piece was beautifully and gracefully told! The illustrations alone was worth getting the hardback copy. Very lovely art and they showcase a lot of detail too. Good read!
January 15, 2024
Love Native American folklore….
Illustrations are excellent!!
Simple, easy read….
Illustrations are excellent!!
Simple, easy read….
December 25, 2024
The way I went on a hunt for this book because when I was 7 years old I read this book at school and it was during a unit where we were analyzing and comparing different "Cinderella like" tales from different cultures + this one was my favorite.
May 25, 2019
This is very much a children's book and it's a Cinderella story set in the Native American setting. The illustrations are beautiful and I think it could be a good way to expose children to a different culture while teaching them about beauty within being much more important than beauty outside, especially when the two don't match. I wish I had known about this book when my children were young. But I think this would make a nice read-aloud.
February 13, 2018
The Rough Face Girl by Rafe Martin is a retelling of Cinderella by using Native American folktale. The author states that this story is an original Algonquin Indian Cinderella story.
The Rough Face Girl was awarded the CBC children’s book of the year. Illustrated by David Shannon
The stories plot begins very similar to the traditional Cinderella version where two mean sisters mistreat the kind sister making her life sad and miserable. In this story we learn that the rough face girl is given that name as the result of daily torture received by her hard hearted sisters.
Her sisters like in the traditional Cinderella tale are mean and cruel and are disliked by the reader. The Rough Face girl like Cinderella is empathized by the reader and wants her to find happiness. In this story the love of a very rich, powerful, handsome invisible man is sought after and only the person that can see him will be the one to marry him. The sisters dressed in beautiful clothing seek to meet the invisible man and are turned down after unsuccessfully passing the sisters test to prove they have seen the invisible man. Then the Rough Face girl left with nothing but big moccasins and a dress made out of dead birch goes to meet the invisible man and eventually marry but not before she takes a bath in the magical lake.
This story is beautifully told keeping the authentic theme of Cinderella and the Native American folktale. You can see the similarities of the tradicional Cinderella, the mean sister and the lovable girl. Like the traditional Cinderella there is a marriage but Rough Face girl carries more of mystical side with a by more darkness which can be portrayed by the dark colores used. t’s illustrations are like paintings that respectfully represent the Native American culture and allow the reader to take a glimpse of the time and village the story took place without overpowering the story.
This story can be used for 2 grades and above. The complexity of this story may be to confusing for younger students to understand. This can be used to teach students about authors lesson and how pretty clothing and hair can hide a bad heart.
The Rough Face Girl was awarded the CBC children’s book of the year. Illustrated by David Shannon
The stories plot begins very similar to the traditional Cinderella version where two mean sisters mistreat the kind sister making her life sad and miserable. In this story we learn that the rough face girl is given that name as the result of daily torture received by her hard hearted sisters.
Her sisters like in the traditional Cinderella tale are mean and cruel and are disliked by the reader. The Rough Face girl like Cinderella is empathized by the reader and wants her to find happiness. In this story the love of a very rich, powerful, handsome invisible man is sought after and only the person that can see him will be the one to marry him. The sisters dressed in beautiful clothing seek to meet the invisible man and are turned down after unsuccessfully passing the sisters test to prove they have seen the invisible man. Then the Rough Face girl left with nothing but big moccasins and a dress made out of dead birch goes to meet the invisible man and eventually marry but not before she takes a bath in the magical lake.
This story is beautifully told keeping the authentic theme of Cinderella and the Native American folktale. You can see the similarities of the tradicional Cinderella, the mean sister and the lovable girl. Like the traditional Cinderella there is a marriage but Rough Face girl carries more of mystical side with a by more darkness which can be portrayed by the dark colores used. t’s illustrations are like paintings that respectfully represent the Native American culture and allow the reader to take a glimpse of the time and village the story took place without overpowering the story.
This story can be used for 2 grades and above. The complexity of this story may be to confusing for younger students to understand. This can be used to teach students about authors lesson and how pretty clothing and hair can hide a bad heart.
May 21, 2025
I found The Rough-Face Girl at my local library after searching for Cinderella in their database. I was most curious about this book because it looked least like the most common Cinderella stories. This book won the Georgia Children's Book Award in 1994. In the author's note, he states that this is a retelling of "an Algonquin Indian Cinderella." You have the main character, who's face is rough from being forced to work on the fire, the two older cruel sisters, and a poor father. There is a big wigwam where the Invisible Being lives, and if you can see him, he will marry you. The cruel sister's decide they are going to marry him and when the sister of the Invisible Being asks them about what he looks like, they lie. The youngest sister then tries to marry him, and is able to tell the sister of the Invisible Being all about what he looks like. They get married, the girl no longer has a "rough face" and they live in "great gladness". The illustrations in this story are almost haunting because you never really get to see the rough-face girl's face. I question what source Rafe Martin used for this story. I tried to research and found that Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL), has started a critical analysis of this book. She tried to find his source, and has narrowed it down to Charles G. Leland's book. In Debbie's analysis, she compares the different versions and leaves her own notes about their differences.
Debbie Reese's Analysis:
https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...
Debbie Reese's Analysis:
https://americanindiansinchildrenslit...
February 10, 2009
Although this book has been accused of citing misleading sources, and criticized for its europeanized retelling, The Rough-Faced Girl, by Rafe Martin, illustrated by David Shannon earned one star from me for Shannon’s illustration of the Rough-faced girl (now smooth and dewy fresh) bathing in the lake. Half Land-O-Lakes Butter Maiden, half 1940’s pin-up girl, this illustration doesn’t belong in children’s literature.
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