If the Shoe Fits- Laura Whipple

Whipple, L. (2002). If the shoe fits. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

If the Shoe Fits is a collection of poems that are written about the many characters of the fairy tale Cinderella. Characters that are represented in this poem are both well known characters and not so well known characters. One of my favorite poems is about the glass slipper. The poem is written using personification because without the glass slipper the whole night would not have been possible. All the poems are written with rhyme and help to shine light on the Cinderella story that we all have heard many times. Cinderella also used foreshadowing in her introduction poem.

While reading this book after reading the other story of Cinderella students could compare and contrast the two books. Students could also determine if the points of view are the same in both books. Do the main characters feel the same way in the poems as they do in the story, are all the characters represented the same way in both books? 

If the Shoe Fits   can be used for any age 8 and up. Students even in high school could appreciate this book because it gives a different aspect of the story. Students can see different sides of what is happening in a story they have read many times.   

If the Shoe Fits is a collection of poems written in rhyme which is why it is considered to be in the poem genre. This books is also considered a picture book because of its elaborate illustrations completed by  Laura Beingessner.

Somebody Wanted But So- Strategy can be used with this book because it will allow students to go beyond the typical summary writing of a book. Students could be divided up and they could use Somebody Wanted But So to compare the regular book of Cinderella and If the Shoe Fits.

Somebody	Wanted	But	So
Cinderella	Wanted to be treated like a person and not a slave	Her step sisters and step mother wouldn't have it	She wished she could go to the ball and meet the prince
Step Sisters	Wanted to be Queen	They were mean and ugly	They treated Cinderella bad

 

Questions to Ponder:

Why was Cinderella's Fathers Spirit in the attic?

Why did everyone want to help Cinderella?

What would you have done if you were Cinderella?

How would you have reacted to Cinderellas Step Sisters?

What if you were one of the step sisters, would you have been able to treat Cinderella the way they treated her? What could you have done?