"We
all know this fairy tale plot, but it is delightful to find it is told
in other cultures. For children from ages 8-12 they will enjoy this
aged golden tale as it is told in the Philippines. The young girl who
has lost her mother and now lives with a mean-spirited stepmother and
selfish stepsisters. Her name is Abadeha and she finds solace from the
magical Spirit of the Forest. There is a Prince in this story too, who
finds himself bound by a magic ring that can only be removed by one
girl.
Throughout the book the author teaches us about local religious beliefs
and practices, native flora, and linguistic terms. The delighted reader
will begin to understand daily life in the Philippines as it would have
been more than four hundred years ago. Artist Youshang Tang's lovely
color illustration complement this tale. Shen's Books are always
unique, even if they produce many other country's stories that rework
Cinderella themes imbued with many cultures."
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