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Ella's Big Chance
 
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Ella's Big Chance (Paperback)

by Shirley Hughes (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
RRP: £5.99
Price: £5.39 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Customers buy this book with Jim and the Beanstalk (Puffin Picture Books) by Raymond Briggs

Ella's Big Chance + Jim and the Beanstalk (Puffin Picture Books)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 32 pages
  • Publisher: Red Fox; New edition edition (7 April 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0099433095
  • ISBN-13: 978-0099433095
  • Product Dimensions: 27.6 x 22.4 x 0.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 251,720 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #67 in  Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators > H > Hughes, Shirley

Product Description

Review

" "Hughes continues to grant our wishes by bringing stories to life with her mastery of text and joy of illustration" - Lesley Agnew, The Bookseller "The pictures are glamorous, romantic and atmospheric... but the twists in the story are among the reasons why this book is so satisfying... This is a truly happy ending" Sunday Times "Hughes' warm colours capture the magic of the period and the story will captivate readers" - The Good Book Guide "Stylish, vibrant and refreshing, with a surprise ending" The Bookseller "Wonderful retelling of Cinderella with a surprise ending" Woman "This deserves to become a classic... It's shamelessly romantic, a lovely gift from an artist of exceptional skill and integrity" Scottish Sunday Herald "Shirley Hughes will win the hearts of body-conscious girls with Ella's Big Chance" - Geraldine Brennan, Times Educational Supplement "This stylish book, set in the 1920s, is joyously illustrated... The costume designs are original and inspired by the great French courturiers. The delightful, surprising finale will satisfy all romantics" - Carousel"

Product Description

Mr. Cinders was a dressmaker and ran a shop in town. After his wife died, he was left to bring up their daughter, Ella, on his own. They lived happily until Mr. Cinders married again. Poor Ella was treated horribly by her stepmother and two bullying stepsisters, but found solace in her friend, the young doorman Buttons. Then one day, the whole family is invited to a grand ball given by the Duchess of Arc for her handsome son. The vain stepsisters spend hours getting ready and laugh at Ella when she asks if she can go too. So poor Ella is left behind with only the cat for company. But on this very special evening, there is more than a little magic in the air...This outstanding re-telling of Cinderella is set in the 1920s, and the paintings feature Shirley's own costume designs, inspired by the great French couturiers of the period. A delightful surprise ending completes this enchanting, imaginative adaptation.

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Customer Reviews

2 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining & Clever Re-write of Cinderella, 28 Nov 2004
By Kotori (Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Ella's Big Chance (Hardcover)
There are a lot of things to like about this book.

It is set in the 1920's and Ella is a garment maker, in her fathers elegant little dress shop. When her father remarries she gets a horrible new step-mom and two step sisters, suitably nasty.
"His new wife seemed
to pop up from nowhere like
a sharp-eyed, expensively
dressed jack-in-the-box"
Ella has a dear friend named Buttons, who makes life easier for her by keeping her company as she stays up late sewing, making her laugh and singing her songs.

The funny thing about buttons to me is: he looks like he MUST be an Aussie, and uses words like "brainless parakeets" which seems to prove the authors intention. ANyway he looks lik ehe's just fresh from the AU corps, and it's quite amusing. One of the wonderful things the author has done is make this book quirky.

Ella doesn't have a perfect sylph-like figure merely hidden by soot, instead she's redheaded, with corky curls and a plump little body, which when tucked into a more suitable gown, looks just fine.

It's her personality which wins the Duke over and brings him around begging for her hand. And dear Ella takes a good look around her and realises that it's Buttons she really want's, and they take off, and set up their own dress shop.

The illustrations are fantastic, and as written in the back of the book, the ball scenes were inspired by the dance sequences in the R.K.O. Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies.
The dresses are Shirley Hughes original designs, inspired by the French couturiers of the 1920's, Doucet, Poiret and Patou.

Just love it. Ages 8+ would most appreciate this book, although certainly any age will happily sit through it.

For you it makes an entertaing bedtime story. For them, the same, and a little twist to the regular fairytale.
Kotori Nov 2004

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5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous illustrations, 5 Mar 2009
By L. MacPherson (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The story of Cinderella with a modern name and modern day twist! This is a lovely story with gorgeous illustrations that you come to expect from Shirley Hughes. I'd definitely recommend this book.
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