AXOLOTL-ELLA: A SORT-OF CINDERELLA STORY written by Kate Messner and illustrated by Lian Cho

Kate Messner shows her gift for storytelling and the clever weaving of fact in AXOLOTL-ELLA: A SORT-OF CINDERELLA STORY illustrated by Lian Cho. The story tells of a “quick and clever salamander” who loves to dance, has “deliciously ambitions plans” for her life…the path of which leads her to the King’s Festival. Chanting a spell to fancy herself up for the festival, she leaves behind an uncomfortable looking pair of sparkling silver slippers and sets off in her “beautiful, bare webbed feet.” Readers might wonder how the Prince will ever discover her identity when she leaves behind the cliched footwear, but here’s where Messner’s brilliance of fact and fiction excels. When Axolotl-Ella loses an arm while fleeing, the Prince searches for her only to find she’s “not missing anything,” has grown herself a new one. This wonderful heroine shows her independence in meeting her goals as well. Messner’s word play combines with Cho’s fun illustrations to make for read-aloud wonder.You can find a link to the book in the purchase button below.