1. Bibliography -
San Souci, Robert D., Reteller. 1994. SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY. Ill. by Daniel San Souci. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc. ISBN: 0-385-31202-4
2. Plot Summary –
“A spellbinding Native American version of the well-loved Cinderella story” (Infibeam, 2009), this retold folktale introduces us to Sootface, whose mother has died and whose father doesn’t know that her two older sisters treat her badly and make her do all the work and chores. Sootface is named that after she singes her hair and burns her skin in the fire while cooking and cleaning. Sootface longs for a husband and when a chance to marry the mighty warrior hunter presents itself, Sootface tries to accomplish the task of describing the invisible warrior hunter and his bow.
Many women from her village try their luck and fail at this task; and even though her sisters and the entire village make fun of her for wanting to try (as she looks ugly in her tattered clothing, singed hair and sooty facial appearance), she does not falter but keeps going and gives it her all. Not only does Sootface pass the test, which is to see the invisible mighty warrior hunter (since only the true of heart will be able to see him); but he happily changes her name to Dawn-Light, has his sister help her clean the soot off of her face, change her into new beautiful clothes, fix and braid her singed hair, then marries her - living happily ever after.
3. Critical Analysis –
a. Characters:
The characters in this story are Sootface, her two older, lazy and mean sisters, the villagers, the mighty invisible hunter or warrior, and the hunter’s sister.
b. Plot:
“Although she is mocked and mistreated by her two older sisters, an Ojibwa Indian maiden wins a mighty, invisible warrior for her husband with her kind and honest heart” (Infibeam, 2009).
c. Setting:
This story takes place in the village of the Indian tribe called the Ojibwa (beside a lake, deep in a forest of birch), as well as across the lake in the wigwam lodge, where the mighty invisible warrior hunter lives with his sister.
d. Theme:
The basic “Cinderella” theme is present – the triumph of good versus evil - selfish versus selfless; one where lazy, egotistical and mean lose out to the hard-working, kind, innocent and pure of heart. Also the theme of living “happily ever after” is present in this story.
e. Style:
This story begins (formalized opening) with a version of “Once upon a time” in the words, “Once, an Ojibwa man whose wife had died raised three daughters alone” and ends with a “they all lived happily ever after” in the words, “Everyone was pleased, except Dawn-Light’s two older sisters, who had to do all the cooking and cleaning themselves now”. It also introduces us to the family and establishes the conflict right away.
There was also a sense of repetition or repeated elements when Sootface chanted near the beginning of the story:
“Oh, I am thinking,
Oh, I am dreaming,
That even ugly as I am,
I will someday find a husband.”
Then, in the middle of the story, her chant became:
“Soon, I am thinking,
Soon, I am dreaming,
That I will find a husband.
I am sure it will be so.”
Until near the end of the story, her chant became:
“Now, I am happy,
Now, I am certain,
That I have found my husband,
My new sister and hew home.”
The motif of the role of magic plays out in this story through the mighty warrior hunter who can make himself invisible and can only be seen by one who has a kind and honest heart. This is the test he sets up to see who he will choose for his wife. The event and token he uses to make sure that his future wife is really able to see him, is one of a magical invisible bow and bowstring – the maiden that can describe his magical invisible bow and bowstring will be his wife.
f. Illustrations:
The illustrations are very well done! They show the facial features of Sootface and her sisters and other characters which help convey emotion and body language. The landscape is also beautiful, but what I really thought was amazing was the attention to the small details in the clothing that was worn by the characters, the houses, and the environment.
“The full-page watercolors are dramatic and convey the natural woodland setting surrounding the Great Lakes and Northeast tribes, the jeers of Sootface's sisters, and the serenity and kindness of the warrior and his sister. Sootface's dazed expression remains rather similar throughout-until the end, when she is transformed by love into a beautiful girl” (JustforKids, 2009).
g. Cultural Markers:
This book is full of cultural markers – from the words and names used for the different characters (Sootface, Dawn-Light) and everyday items (skins, bows, wigwam) to the way in which the characters dress (braided hair, moccasins) and activities they do (fetching water, cooking deer meat on the fire). “The illustrations are based on extensive research at the Anthropology Library of the University of California at Berkeley. Details of clothing, traditional design, and setting reflect mid-eighteenth-century Ojibwa village life” (Souci, R., 1994).
h. Anthologies:
There are so many “Cinderella” books available from all over the world. Teachers can build their own collections – at the Just for Kids Bookstore -http://www.justforkidsbookstore.com/bookcase/cinderellastories/index.html one can order the “Cinderella Starter Library - which features eleven culturally unique adaptations from cultures all over the world, bundled together to help you begin or expand your own Cinderella collection”.
i. Awards & Recognitions:
This story, SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY has been awarded the following honors:
**An NCSS-CBC Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
**Awarded “Children’s Book of the Year” by Bank Street Child Study Children’s Book Committee
4. Review Excerpt(s) –
** “This Cinderella variant should be in your library as it shows how self-reliance, honesty and goodness eventually prevail. Definitely recommended. – Confetti Books
** “A satisfying picture book for reading aloud or alone, and a good choice for classes studying Native Americans.” - Booklist
** “Altogether a refreshing and rewarding "Cinderella" variant.” – School Library Journal
5. Connections –
Teachers can use this book as part of a multicultural theme dealing with “Cinderella Stories from Around the World Unit”, or on a “Unit of Native American folklore”, or even on a Unit that concentrates on the author and illustrator. “This title is by the award-winning author and illustrator team of many popular books for young readers, including THE LEGEND OF SCARFACE and SONG OF SEDNA, also based on Native American folklore. Robert D. San Souci has contributed to SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY as an author, and is the author of many award-winning retellings of legends and folktales for children. He also wrote the screen story for the Walt Disney animated feature "Mulan." Daniel San Souci has contributed to SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY as an illustrator. San Souci has illustrated nearly 50 books for young readers” (Infibeam, 2009).
References
Infibeam, (2007-2009). Infibeam.com and Affiliates, retrieved on September 27, 2009, from http://www.infibeam.com/Books/info/Robert-D-San-Souci/Sootface-An-Ojibwa-Cinderella-Story/061302186X.html
JustForKids, (2009). Confetti Enterprises, retrieved on September 27, 2009, from http://www.justforkidsbookstore.com/bookcase/cinderellastories/index.html
San Souci, Robert D., Reteller. 1994. SOOTFACE: AN OJIBWA CINDERELLA STORY. Ill. by Daniel San Souci. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group Inc. ISBN: 0-385-31202-4
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