Scissorella The Paper Princess

LoveReading4Kids Says

The magic of the Cinderella story is timeless, but this version is particularly captivating.

Lotte works in a mill all day making and drying paper, while her horrible sisters lie around, issuing orders. Her only friends are the paper puppets she snips by the light of the moon. When the invitation arrives to the palace ball, not only do her sisters leave Lotte behind, but they destroy her puppets too.

It’s then that Lotte realises that if she wants her happy ending, she’s going to have to make it herself and starts snipping a dress. It all plays out the way it always does – hoorah – Lotte’s skill with her scissors entrancing the prince. Laura Barrett makes wonderful use of silhouettes in her illustrations and there’s a magical gatefold too with peep through cut-out windows.

An author’s note explains that the book is inspired by the life and work of Charlotte ‘Lotte’ Reiniger, one of the world’s first film animators, and her fascination with silhouette puppetry and it’s a perfect tribute to Reiniger both in style and in its determined, creative central character.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Scissorella The Paper Princess

Cinderella with a strong feminist twist, based on the life and work of pioneer German animator and film director Lotte Reiniger.

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