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Unabridged Digital Audiobook
Runtime: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Read by Emily Eiden
After my daughter and I finished listening to the twisted Snow White story, .nightsandweekends.com/articles/16/NW1600014.php>Fairest of All, we were eager to pick up the next story in author Sarah Mlynowski’s Whatever After series. And in the second book, If the Shoe Fits, we got to spend time with one of my favorite princesses, Cinderella.
The story follows 10-year-old Abby and her little brother, Jonah, as they take another trip through the magic mirror in their basement. Though they’re hoping to visit their friend, Snow White, they end up arriving at a magnificent ball in time to see the prince dancing with a beautiful young woman: Cinderella. Though Abby and Jonah are determined not to mess up another beloved fairy tale, Cinderella ends up with a big, swollen foot—one that won’t possibly fit into the glass slipper. And now they’ve got just a matter of days to come up with a plan to help Cinderella get her prince.
Each book in the Whatever After series has its own updated story and its own message. In this version of the classic tale, instead of waiting around for her handsome prince to rescue her from her wicked stepmother and spoiled stepsisters, Cinderella’s fairy godmother makes her rescue herself. The only way that she’ll agree to fix Cinderella’s foot is if she can first prove that she can take care of herself. It’s a modern twist on the old damsel-in-distress story—and while Cinderella is learning to take charge of her life, Abby learns a lesson or two in the process, too.
The characters aren’t what you might expect, either. The fairy godmother is totally unlike the Disney version—and Cinderella is far from the sweet, innocent young victim. In fact, in the beginning, she can sometimes come off as selfish and rude and maybe even a little bit mean—which, admittedly, can be frustrating. But that also allows her to grow as a character throughout the story.
Granted, not all of the details seem to fit perfectly, and the story does have some flaws. But it’s also filled with clever twists and important messages. Mostly, though, young listeners will just love traveling through the mirror with these lovable main characters to spend time with another one of their favorite fairy tale princesses.
With their updated take on classic stories, the books in the Whatever After series are smart and imaginative fairy tales for modern girls of all ages. Though the characters in If the Shoe Fits may not be quite like you remember them, this fun-filled story is sure to grab your attention—and keep you coming back to the series for more.
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