Commentaire descriptif

This Ojibwa retelling of Cinderella will resonate with children who already know the traditional story as well as those who are less familiar with it. In this variant, the older sisters beat the younger one and smear her face with ashes. Despite this hardship, Sootface dreams of a bright future, setting off one day against all odds to meet the “invisible” warrior who will only marry the woman who can truly “see” him, the one who possesses a good heart and a pure soul. The detailed watercolour illustrations authentically depict the clothing, traditions and lifestyle of the Ojibwa tribe around the mid-18th century. The narrative on the left is framed between two decorative strips, while the corresponding drawing on the right, in natural earth tones, is very much in keeping with the natural environment in which the Ojibwa lived. Recurring language patterns in the narrative and Sootface's singing create a rhythmic and descriptive text that can be tied in with Social Studies and First Nations peoples. This story also shows that true beauty lies within and that having a kind heart always trumps being mean-spirited.