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Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella
I reckon ye heard o' Cinderella, but lemme tell you a story 'bout a sweet li'l thing named Rose? Set in the Appalachian Mountains and told in a lilting dialect that just begs to be read aloud, this is a unique and lively adaptation of the traditional Cinderella story. Complete with an enchanting protagonist, a glass slipper, and a fairy godmother who just happens to be a hog, Smoky Mountain Rose is a joy to read again and again.
32 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 2, 2020
Here is a retelling of Cinderella set in the Appalachian Mountains. The story is the same, but the fairy godmother is now a magic hog in the pig pen, the step-sisters are meaner than ever and the prince is a well-to-do farmer over a valley. Rose is as sweet as ever.
I wasn't aware of this, but apparently there are Cinderella variations for just about every culture. Interesting. This story goes back to 850 AD in China. The authors note says that was the origination point. Now, that's interesting.
The artwork is okay here. Nothing fancy or interesting, to me.
Any princess lovers out there will not care for this one, I doubt.
I wasn't aware of this, but apparently there are Cinderella variations for just about every culture. Interesting. This story goes back to 850 AD in China. The authors note says that was the origination point. Now, that's interesting.
The artwork is okay here. Nothing fancy or interesting, to me.
Any princess lovers out there will not care for this one, I doubt.
January 14, 2019
Another Cinderella variation from the United States, this one set in the Appalachian mountains and with a talking pig as "fairy godmother" (hahaha!). There's exactly the same elements as in the European tale, glass slipper included, but of course it has to have local adaptations, and besides what I've already mentioned, there's that the "prince" is a rich merchant that made his fortune with local produce, and then there's the peculiar idiomatic speech this version is written in. I'm guessing not everyone will like the "hillbilly" speech, but for me it was funny and what essentially made the retelling a romp.
May 28, 2018
A decent enough retelling of the classic Cinderella story set in the Smoky Mountains. Greedy stepmom, unlikable stepsisters, fancy dress party - they're all here. In this version, a talking pig stands in for the Fairy Godmother, while a musk melon and two field mice become the carriage and horses. Rose and the rich fella do some square dancing, and the rest is pretty much the same. Brad Sneed's paintings are lovely, though his characters with freakishly long legs take some getting used to. The ending, as always, will leave you happier than a pig in a peanut patch.
December 6, 2018
Darn tootin’ this one’s cute!
October 8, 2020
When Rose's trapper father remarries, her new stepmother, Gertie, makes her life very unpleasant in this
Cinderella
story set in the Smoky Mountains. Made to do all of the work on the farm, while her stepsisters laze about, Rose remains gentle and kind. When a wealthy man from over the hill throws a party and Rose is left behind, she finds herself assisted by one of the hogs on the farm, who knows a little magic, and sends her off to the celebration in enchanted finery. Sure enough, she wins Seb's heart, and when she must flee at midnight, leaving behind one of her pretty (but impractical) glass slippers, he sets out to find her...
Although there are a number of Cinderella variants that come from Appalachian and other Euro-American lore - see Joanne Compton's Ashpet: An Appalachian Tale for a retelling of one such tale - Alan Schroeder chose to retell the French variant from Perrault in this picture-book, transplanting it to the Smoky Mountains, and giving it a country flavor. I'm not really sure why that was necessary, when there are already American variants of the story to retell, but leaving that aside, the story here was engaging enough. The artwork from Brad Sneed, whose edition of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina I found quite charming, was lovely, and greatly enhanced my reading pleasure. Although I wouldn't describe this as a favorite, of the many Cinderella retellings I have read, it was entertaining, and I would recommend it to young folk and fairy-tale lovers, as well as to readers interested in the Cinderella story and its many variants.
NOTE: I notice that Schroeder repeats the false claim that the first appearance of Cinderella in world folklore comes from China, and dates to ca. 850 AD. I'm not sure why this misinformation is so widespread - I see it repeated in many places - but in fact, the first recorded version of the Cinderella story was set in ancient Egypt, and comes from the Greek author Strabo, writing in the first century BC. There is also a telling of this story in the Roman author Aelian (ca. 175–235 AD).
Although there are a number of Cinderella variants that come from Appalachian and other Euro-American lore - see Joanne Compton's Ashpet: An Appalachian Tale for a retelling of one such tale - Alan Schroeder chose to retell the French variant from Perrault in this picture-book, transplanting it to the Smoky Mountains, and giving it a country flavor. I'm not really sure why that was necessary, when there are already American variants of the story to retell, but leaving that aside, the story here was engaging enough. The artwork from Brad Sneed, whose edition of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina I found quite charming, was lovely, and greatly enhanced my reading pleasure. Although I wouldn't describe this as a favorite, of the many Cinderella retellings I have read, it was entertaining, and I would recommend it to young folk and fairy-tale lovers, as well as to readers interested in the Cinderella story and its many variants.
NOTE: I notice that Schroeder repeats the false claim that the first appearance of Cinderella in world folklore comes from China, and dates to ca. 850 AD. I'm not sure why this misinformation is so widespread - I see it repeated in many places - but in fact, the first recorded version of the Cinderella story was set in ancient Egypt, and comes from the Greek author Strabo, writing in the first century BC. There is also a telling of this story in the Roman author Aelian (ca. 175–235 AD).
January 17, 2019
Entertaining, especially reading it out loud. I do have to say, though, as a product of solid Applachian Mountain Folk, it's not "creek", it's "crick".
October 3, 2013
This Cinderella story is set in the Smoky Mountains. It's the same traditional story, dad gets married to mean woman with 2 mean daughters who treat her bad and make her work except the whole story is written in the slang of the people from the Appalachians. I didn't really like this version. I didn't like the slang throughout the book. Even though this book is set during pioneer times, it made the people seem dumb and simple. I especially didn't like the fact that a talking pig was the magical being who transformed Rose (Cinderella) into a beautiful woman so she could go to the fancy ol' party.
The watercolor illustrations by Brad Sneed were well done. The dresses and homes look like they would be something you would find in pioneer times. The sisters' everyday shoes were authentic bootlike footwear wore in those times but then Sneed paints Rose's shoes for the party to look like something Kim Kardashian would wear.
I would not read this book again and therefore would not use it in my classroom. If I had to I would do a compare and contrast with another Cinderella book. Maybe a teacher could use some of the illustrations and they could be compared with real photographs of pioneer homesteads and they could discuss how authentic the illustrations were.
The watercolor illustrations by Brad Sneed were well done. The dresses and homes look like they would be something you would find in pioneer times. The sisters' everyday shoes were authentic bootlike footwear wore in those times but then Sneed paints Rose's shoes for the party to look like something Kim Kardashian would wear.
I would not read this book again and therefore would not use it in my classroom. If I had to I would do a compare and contrast with another Cinderella book. Maybe a teacher could use some of the illustrations and they could be compared with real photographs of pioneer homesteads and they could discuss how authentic the illustrations were.
February 27, 2015
Confused as to why the author judged it best to ignore the various American folk versions he mentions in a note and used instead the Perrault version. It just makes it seem less authentic and more expendable.
January 15, 2024
This lesser-known picture book may not be objectively a children's classic, but it's our family's favorite spin on Cinderella. The ball is a square dance and the fairy godmother is a pig. Written to reflect an Appalachian dialect from ~100 years ago, it's not great for brand new independent readers, but so delightful to read aloud with your best exaggerated accent.
Some of the phrases that have entered our family's lexicon:
"Way I see it, we'd all fit together neater'n a jigsaw."
"Y'all watch, someday I'm gonna marry me a fine gentleman--go to Memphis and live lak a lady!"
"That cat'log is mine, you skunk!"
"Well, they're not too pract'cal for square dancin', but they sure are purty."
"Well, shet ma mouth!"
"My whippin' arm's tired."
"I love ye like soup loves salt."
Some of the phrases that have entered our family's lexicon:
"Way I see it, we'd all fit together neater'n a jigsaw."
"Y'all watch, someday I'm gonna marry me a fine gentleman--go to Memphis and live lak a lady!"
"That cat'log is mine, you skunk!"
"Well, they're not too pract'cal for square dancin', but they sure are purty."
"Well, shet ma mouth!"
"My whippin' arm's tired."
"I love ye like soup loves salt."
September 1, 2024
i think we could all use some more appalachian retellings.
December 11, 2015
Plot summary: This book is a twist off the story Cinderella. It takes place in the heart of the Smokey Mountains. The text of the book is written with a strong sense of the type of slang language that would be spoken at that place to other people. Rose's father (Trapper) remarries to a mean woman with two ungrateful girls about the same age at Rose, maybe a little older. When Trapper dies, Rose's life gets increasingly more challenging. Then a rich man, named Seb, comes into town and invites everyone to his house for a party, in hopes of finding his wife. Rose is left behind by her step-mother and step-sisters, but get dressed up by one of the hogs on the farm and goes off to the party. No one really catches Seb's eye until Rose walks in. This story goes exactly like Cinderella after that, except for the very end. When Seb finds Rose again, they set off to get married but Rose forgives her sisters who were so mean to here in the past because she believes it is better to forgive and forget instead of hold grudges.
Reader response: Two ways to incorporate this book in the classroom are through higher order thinking strategies and creative arts. For higher order thinking strategies, you could have the students write down why they think Rose's step-sisters were all of a sudden so nice to her when they realized that she would be marrying Seb and why they thought Rose decided not to turn her back on them because of how mean they were to her in the beginning. With creative arts, you could have the children create a character/event stick out of a stick of word, Velcro, and laminated pieces of paper with the picture on it. With this the children would have to put them in order.
Reader response: Two ways to incorporate this book in the classroom are through higher order thinking strategies and creative arts. For higher order thinking strategies, you could have the students write down why they think Rose's step-sisters were all of a sudden so nice to her when they realized that she would be marrying Seb and why they thought Rose decided not to turn her back on them because of how mean they were to her in the beginning. With creative arts, you could have the children create a character/event stick out of a stick of word, Velcro, and laminated pieces of paper with the picture on it. With this the children would have to put them in order.
February 18, 2015
Alan Schroeder's version of Cinderella is about a young girl named Rose, who lives in the Smokey Mountains with her Pa. Pa wants to start courting a women who has two girls near the age of Rose. Pa marries Gertie, who is the crossest, fearsome women in the Smokey Mountains. Gertie's two daughters, Annie and Liza Jane, treat Rose like a slave, making her do all the work on the farm, and cooking, especially after her father passed away. This "rich-feller" was having a party to find a wife, and all the "neighbor-people" were invited. Liza Jane and Annie made Rose make them dresses to wear for the party, but she really wanted to go. After doing all the chores around the house, Rose went walking through the farm, and heard the hog and mouse speaking to her. The mice, hogs, horses turned the "mushmelon" into a wagon and gave Rose sparkly glass slippers, and a beautiful dress to wear to the "shindig". Rose and Seb then lived happily ever after.
This story is much like the traditional Cinderella story, but in the end the stepmother and sisters are nice to Rose after she marries the rich man. The language in this story is typical to the olden days of Appalachia. The illustrations add depth to the story. The pictures take up one page per text page, which leaves little room for white space.
This book would be great for grades 3-8, due to the slang and language used in the story. It gives great insight to how life was like during this time period, and the life of people in the Smokey Mountains. It would be difficult for young readers to understand why the characters talk a certain way.
This story is much like the traditional Cinderella story, but in the end the stepmother and sisters are nice to Rose after she marries the rich man. The language in this story is typical to the olden days of Appalachia. The illustrations add depth to the story. The pictures take up one page per text page, which leaves little room for white space.
This book would be great for grades 3-8, due to the slang and language used in the story. It gives great insight to how life was like during this time period, and the life of people in the Smokey Mountains. It would be difficult for young readers to understand why the characters talk a certain way.
Read
November 18, 2012Grade Level: 3-5th Grade
Lexile Level: 760L
Genre: Traditional Literature/ Fairy Tale
Setting: near the Appalachian Mountain in small village
Point of View: First Person
Main Characters: Rose, evil step mother, wicked step sisters, the magical pig, the rich boy
In the story of Smoky Mountain Rose, Rose is heart broken after her father dies. She is left to live with her father's second wife who is a mean woman, and her two awful step-sisters . Neither the step-mother nor the step-sisters care for Rose. Rose has to do all of the chores while her step-sisters admire themselves in the mirror and argue over which one is the prettiest. One day a rich eligible bachelor from across the creek announces that he is throwing a party to chose the woman that he is going to marry. Rose's step-mother and step-sisters are excited to go, but Rose is given too many chores to be able to go. With the help of a magical pig, Rose finishes all her chores. The magical pig also gives her a lovely gown to wear to the shindig and lovely slippers as well. Rose impresses the bachelor with her dancing and they dance the night away. When Rose realizes that it is almost midnight she flees from the party and heads home. She loses one of her shoes on the way and the bachelor refuses to marry anyone who cannot fit into the tiny shoe. The bachelor finds Rose and they live happily ever after.
I would use this in my classroom for a Cinderella across the world study. The students could read Cinderella stories from different countries and take note of the similarities and differences.
Lexile Level: 760L
Genre: Traditional Literature/ Fairy Tale
Setting: near the Appalachian Mountain in small village
Point of View: First Person
Main Characters: Rose, evil step mother, wicked step sisters, the magical pig, the rich boy
In the story of Smoky Mountain Rose, Rose is heart broken after her father dies. She is left to live with her father's second wife who is a mean woman, and her two awful step-sisters . Neither the step-mother nor the step-sisters care for Rose. Rose has to do all of the chores while her step-sisters admire themselves in the mirror and argue over which one is the prettiest. One day a rich eligible bachelor from across the creek announces that he is throwing a party to chose the woman that he is going to marry. Rose's step-mother and step-sisters are excited to go, but Rose is given too many chores to be able to go. With the help of a magical pig, Rose finishes all her chores. The magical pig also gives her a lovely gown to wear to the shindig and lovely slippers as well. Rose impresses the bachelor with her dancing and they dance the night away. When Rose realizes that it is almost midnight she flees from the party and heads home. She loses one of her shoes on the way and the bachelor refuses to marry anyone who cannot fit into the tiny shoe. The bachelor finds Rose and they live happily ever after.
I would use this in my classroom for a Cinderella across the world study. The students could read Cinderella stories from different countries and take note of the similarities and differences.
May 21, 2013
Howdy there I was just reading a really good book called Smokey Mountain Rose by: Alan Schroeder its western style. Do like fairytales ? Then if you do then Smokey Mountain Rose By: Alan Schroeder is the book for you. This book is funny and a happy and magical too. That’s why you should read this great book. It’s my favorite! My favorite part is when Rose is helping her step sisters get ready for the shindig this one of my favorite sentises “it was like they were worken her like they were trying to kill her.”
The characters are interesting. For example Rose is the main character. Rose has a dad but no mom. Then Rose’s dad gets married then Rose’s dad dies after a while. So now she has two mean step sisters and a mean step mom and this is when some funny stuff happens. And then one day everyone in the naborhod got an invitation to a shindig. Next they went off in a trail everyone except Rose. Then Rose met a pig that could do magic!
Could the pig help Rose go to the shindig? Will her step sisters and step mom be nice to her? Read Smokey Mountain Rose By: Alan Schroeder to find out if Rose goes to the shindig and if Roses step mom and step sisters be nice to her. I hope you read Smokey Mountain Rose By: Alan Schroeder. I think you will love this book because I do. I hope you read this wonderful book.
By:Zoe
The characters are interesting. For example Rose is the main character. Rose has a dad but no mom. Then Rose’s dad gets married then Rose’s dad dies after a while. So now she has two mean step sisters and a mean step mom and this is when some funny stuff happens. And then one day everyone in the naborhod got an invitation to a shindig. Next they went off in a trail everyone except Rose. Then Rose met a pig that could do magic!
Could the pig help Rose go to the shindig? Will her step sisters and step mom be nice to her? Read Smokey Mountain Rose By: Alan Schroeder to find out if Rose goes to the shindig and if Roses step mom and step sisters be nice to her. I hope you read Smokey Mountain Rose By: Alan Schroeder. I think you will love this book because I do. I hope you read this wonderful book.
By:Zoe
February 13, 2009
Fierce, phonetically written slang and softly stretched, fish-eye illustrations make this twangin' twist on the traditional tale a thrill for listeners and read-aloud hams alike -- rump-blisterin' and all!
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood
Three Little Cajun Pigs
You can find more Appalachian children's books here.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood
Three Little Cajun Pigs
You can find more Appalachian children's books here.
October 21, 2013
This version was distracting to me because of the dialect used. I felt that I spent more time focusing on how to say the words and what I sounded like versus paying attention to the story. The one thing I do really enjoy about this text are the illustrations. The point of view from which the pictures are drawn is interesting and eye-catching, because it seems to be drawn from the ground up, starting very large and getting smaller. You're immediately drawn to the bottom of the page rather than the middle and the shoes, legs, and feet of the characters are really enlarged. It makes for a very engaging book to look at. The story ends with an elderly couple sitting on a bench recalling their lives as the "Cinderella" and "prince" character, which is a cute addition that we don't oftentimes see in Cinderella tales.
December 3, 2017
Genre: Traditional Fantasy
Grade: Primary
This book was such a fun and different version of the classic story Cinderella. I liked seeing a different version than I am used to. I liked seeing the culture and pictures to go with the culture. I appreciate the way that this book was written, however, I think that the language in this book is a little difficult to go through, especially for children. If children are not familiar with the unique southern twang found in this book, then this book could be confusing for them. However, exposure is good and helps children grow and learn, so I would recommend to have this book in the classroom!
Grade: Primary
This book was such a fun and different version of the classic story Cinderella. I liked seeing a different version than I am used to. I liked seeing the culture and pictures to go with the culture. I appreciate the way that this book was written, however, I think that the language in this book is a little difficult to go through, especially for children. If children are not familiar with the unique southern twang found in this book, then this book could be confusing for them. However, exposure is good and helps children grow and learn, so I would recommend to have this book in the classroom!
March 15, 2011
I enjoyed this book because like most girls I fell in love with the story of Cinderella at a very young age. This book may have to resort to be a read aloud for young readers because the twang dialect can be difficult to read.
Teaching Application:
I would use this book for the same idea that is portrayed on our culminating project sheet. I would use it to explore all the Cinderellas around the world. This may sound like a project that only girls would enjoy but I think that this version of the story proves that Cinderella can be a fun story for boys also.
Teaching Application:
I would use this book for the same idea that is portrayed on our culminating project sheet. I would use it to explore all the Cinderellas around the world. This may sound like a project that only girls would enjoy but I think that this version of the story proves that Cinderella can be a fun story for boys also.
April 27, 2009
This version of Cinderella is also set in North America, but in the Appalachian area. The entire tale - including narration - is written with a southern accent, making it difficult to read silently. The book needs to be read aloud, but requires a brave reader or a little practice. The story is cute: the fairy godmother in this one is actually a hog, and the step-sisters end up liking Rose (the Cinderella character) in the end.
February 6, 2011
I was not a fan of this version of Cinderella. I find that the language/dialect may be a challenge for children. This is a version that definetly must be read aloud to children to appreciate it. I also found that the use of name calling, such as "stupid" which is used in this version may not be very educational for children. It may give children the wrong idea in terms of using appropriate language.
October 21, 2011
"Now lis'en." With its setting set in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, it's an interesting read aloud with all of the written southern lingo. This version follows the traditional plot of the fairy tale most Americans know, with a few changes to fit the setting of the south.
This fairy tale has the components of traditional fairy tale literature: hero(ine), rival, goal, helper, and magic.
I really enjoyed reading this and my students get a kick out of my attempt at a southern accent!
This fairy tale has the components of traditional fairy tale literature: hero(ine), rival, goal, helper, and magic.
I really enjoyed reading this and my students get a kick out of my attempt at a southern accent!
November 20, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction/Traditional Literature
Grade Level: 3
What a fun take on the classic Cinderella story. The language, which may be hard to understand for some children, adds so much to this cute book. There are many aspects of this book that teach readers about the culture in the Smoky Mountains. The book is well written and the story is well formed. I think this would be a fun read aloud in a classroom. The illustrations are also great.
Grade Level: 3
What a fun take on the classic Cinderella story. The language, which may be hard to understand for some children, adds so much to this cute book. There are many aspects of this book that teach readers about the culture in the Smoky Mountains. The book is well written and the story is well formed. I think this would be a fun read aloud in a classroom. The illustrations are also great.
January 27, 2018
I think this is one of the few versions I've read where the family straight up knew it was Cinderella at the balls. Anyway, cute tale, but with the accented words, it might have been better to hear it read out loud as I couldn't really get the cadence of the story.
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
March 27, 2019
4th-6th grade
Genre: Fantasy- Traditional Literature
This spin on the classic Cinderella story is definitely interesting. The language makes it difficult to get through but could be a good challenge to some readers. This would be fun to use in a unit on fairy tales.
Genre: Fantasy- Traditional Literature
This spin on the classic Cinderella story is definitely interesting. The language makes it difficult to get through but could be a good challenge to some readers. This would be fun to use in a unit on fairy tales.
March 14, 2017
This was absolutely adorable. <3
January 31, 2018
Fun picture book with Cinderella in Appalachia.
August 19, 2019
One of the best, most clear set of reasons and reflections I’ve ever read. Everything he writes is brilliant.
April 6, 2023
i am a dissabled woman in the south. i am TN but with relitives in possum vally. i got made fun of alot for how thick my accent was. even by other kids growing up in the same place.
i think my aunt bought me this book. i was a tad old for it back then. it says it came out in 97, but it was probly 99 or 2000 when i was reading it.
i took it to school and miss connie asked to see it. and she loved it. and read it to the class. we had a whole conversation about dialects and slang,and accents thanks to this book.
its not an award winner. but its fun. and for me it helped other kids treat me nicer.
i recomend it to anyone who has ever been made fun of for how they speak.
i think my aunt bought me this book. i was a tad old for it back then. it says it came out in 97, but it was probly 99 or 2000 when i was reading it.
i took it to school and miss connie asked to see it. and she loved it. and read it to the class. we had a whole conversation about dialects and slang,and accents thanks to this book.
its not an award winner. but its fun. and for me it helped other kids treat me nicer.
i recomend it to anyone who has ever been made fun of for how they speak.
April 8, 2024
I really like this book. It was hard to follow because it has Appalachian dialect. It is obviously not the "normal" language that most people use. I am have the Appalachian region and it was still super hard for me to follow. This book is all about an Appalachian Cinderella story. Instead of a fairy godmother it was a pig. There were several different twists in the story.
June 24, 2024
Set in the Appalachian Mountains, this retelling of the Cinderella folktale features unusual illustrations with odd perspectives, unsavory characters, domestic violence, and a mountain dialect that might be difficult for young language learners to decipher. For adult readers, however, the story presents an interesting twist on the traditional folktale.
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