K-Gr 2-In Carey's fractured fairy tale, Cinderella is mean and lazy. She goes to the grand ball as a mouse (punishment by her fairy godmother for bad manners), and it's her kindhearted stepsister, Gertie Ugly, who marries Prince Charming after they meet at the dance. Although the story omits many aspects of Disney's Cinderella, Blanco sneaks in a few familiar scenes in his digital illustrations. Children will also enjoy seeing how Blanco changes the appearances of the Big Bad Wolf, the Wicked Queen, and the evil witches: characters who try to teach Gertie how to act more like an "Ugly." It's easy to make this book interactive by asking questions about the character crossovers or by introducing children to additional versions of the stories, which in this case include the fairy tales "Hansel and Gretel," "Snow White," and "Little Red Riding Hood." VERDICT A decidedly different take on the familiar tale.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gertie, a previously unnoticed stepsister to Cinderella, doesnt behave with the requisite mean-girl behavior her family demands. Instruction from villains of "Snow White," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Little Red Riding Hood" is of no use--Gertie can't help being nice, which eventually gives her a leg up on Cinderella in this satisfying fractured fairy tale. Blanco's digital illustrations have a neat retro air. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

This amusing fairy tale mashup reveals that one of Cinderella's stepsisters, Gertie, was actually the kind, helpful one. Gertie's Ugly mother and sisters (it's their surname) send her to get lessons in being bad from various fairy tale villains. But Gertie can't help herself, warning Snow White that an apple is poisoned, and Hansel and Gretel that the "Worst Witch" intends to eat them ("In that case, we won't be staying," say the retreating siblings). Eventually, Gertie finds friendship with the big bad wolf (who is either a female wolf or simply enjoys wearing dresses-the story can be read both ways) and romance with Prince Charming. Blanco's digital illustrations set the story in what appears to be 1930s England while infusing Gertie's quest with a gentle humor to match Carey's narration. Ages 3-7. Illustrator's agency: Bright Literary Agency. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Carey and Blanco look at a favorite fairy tale from a new angle. Everyone knows about Cinderella's evil stepmother and two nasty stepsisters, but there is actually a third stepsister, and the story has it all wrong: while there is one girl who does all the work while the rest laze about, it isn't Cinderella. It's Gertie, whose niceness and bright smile are the opposite of what her family, the Uglys, wants. So, when the invitation to the ball arrives, of course they can't let her go without making her take lessons in villainy first from some of the best. But Gertie can't stand by and let the Wicked Queen (from "Snow White") and the Worst Witch ("Hansel and Gretel") do their stuff, so off to the big bad Wolf she goes for more tutoring. In several twists readers won't see coming, Gertie and the Wolf team up and meet the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella gets taught a lesson in manners, and the Wolfwell, let's just say she gets what she wanted all along. The muted palette and look of Blanco's digital illustrations give them a retro feel, and the whole vibe is somewhat Frenchfrom the street of row houses where the family lives to the beret jauntily perched on Gertie's head. A tongue-in-cheek fractured fairy tale for those who like a little naughty with their nice. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.