#573 of 1001 · February 24, 2022

Here is a variant of Cinderella hailing from the Native American oral tradition: The Rough-Face Girl by Rafe Martin and @nodavid2018. At the center of a village on the shores of Lake Ontario stands a large, beautifully painted wigwam, home to the rich and powerful Invisible Being. There he remains, hidden to all except his sister, who declares that he will only marry a maiden who can see his face. Elsewhere in the village lives a young woman whose older sisters force her to tend the fire day after day until her skin is charred and her hair is singed. Her resulting appearance earns her the nickname “Rough-Face Girl”. One day, the vain sisters dress up in all their finery and ask to marry the Invisible Being, but cannot answer the obligatory questions proving they have seen him. The Rough-Face Girl, in simple, handmade attire, ventures to the great wigwam and correctly answers the questions. The Invisible Being’s sister tells her to bathe herself in a nearby lake, which magically heals her body and restores her beauty. She and the Invisible Being are married and spend the rest of their days in happiness. Martin’s expressive writing neatly evokes the voice of an oral storyteller. Shannon’s rich illustrations celebrate the beauty of nature and the triumph of humility over arrogance. A note for folklore enthusiasts: Martin cites the source for the story as Algonquin. A similar narrative appears in Cyrus Macmillan’s collection Canadian Wonder Tales, containing a few earthier details. Notably, the heroine’s envious sisters, rather than forcing her to tend the fire, actively burn her with coals to disfigure her. At the story’s end, they are turned into aspen trees as punishment. #cinderella #rough #face #girl #rainbow #milkyway #magic #book #books #childrensbooks #beautifulbooks #picturebook #picturebooks #picturebookillustration #picturebookillustrations #picturebookart #childrensbookillustration #childrensliterature #illustration #kidlit #kidsbooks #bookworm #booklover #booklovers #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammers #instabook #instabooks