eReadia publishes to the trade under several imprints, including the recently announced eReadia Kids.
The first title from eReadia Kids is a timeless tale of stinky feet, a retelling of the classic Cinderella story, but with a twist, or, should we say, a certain cachet? Of stinky feet, that is.
Young adult novelist Alan Lawrence Sitomer makes his first foray into the world of children’s books with a story that showcases a determined young lady denied the luxury of socks by her stepfamily, and mocked because of it. Sitomer, popular author of several young adult titles, including Homeboyz and The Secret Story of Sonia Rodriquez, found himself telling this story as a bedtime yarn to his young daughter:
Cinder-Smella began for me as a fun, little nighttime story I invented at the bedside of my daughter. Seeing her laugh, laugh, laugh at my embellishments and re-interpretation of this timeless classic is where the joyful journey of writing this book began. (In my opinion, there is nothing more pure than a children’s fairy tale mused at the bedside of a child in pajamas just before it’s time for nighty-night.)
But as a modern-day dad, creating a heroine with substance who was attracted more to the high character of her eventual mate – as opposed to merely his good looks and boatload money – felt like an important and interesting re-casting of the tale to make. Let’s face it, some fairy tales portray young women as nothing more than passive objects devoid of inner fortitude and high intelligence. As a father, that’s not the kind of girl I want to raise. Women today are empowered. They are educated, strong and substantive. This is the type of role model our young girls need so while the book is rife with chuckles – just wait til you meet the Hairy Fairy Godfather – there’s also a soul to the book that clearly communicates the notion that shallow outlooks make for leading shallow lives.
Cinder-Smella is vulnerable, yet admirable. She’s victimized, yet strong. She’s fearful, yet brave.
And she has very stinky feet!
It all adds up to a book that makes me proud. Cinder-Smella stole my heart when I first put pen to paper and my hope is, she will steal yours much in the same way.
Alan’s narrative artistry is matched by the magical illustrations of Allison Bair. While photographic evidence may prove otherwise, everyone who has met Allison believes she was born with a pencil in her hand. When she’s not drawing, you can find her out walking Truman, her 3-year-old rescued beagle, helping him to pursue his lifelong mission to sniff every inch of town. Allison, the founder of Brown Bair Studio and an alum of Flagler College with a degree in art, has “a passion for illustration, an eye for design, a stomach full of tofu, and a brain full of creativity.”
You can view a preview of the book here.
Both Alan and Allison have created additional resources for Cinder-Smella. The book’s website address is www.Cinder-Smella.com.
