Cinderella's Friends

Rather than retelling Cinderella's story, this 1950 Little Golden Book turns the spotlight on her mouse and bird friends as they plan a Mouse Ball to celebrate her wedding — only to face the scheming cat Lucifer before the party can begin. Jane Werner's premise is charming: loyalty, friendship, and a scrappy group of small creatures outwitting a bully. The Little Golden Book format is proven and durable, and the 2017 reissue honors the original's spirit. The honest caveat is that the story is very thin — essentially a footnote to the Cinderella film rather than a narrative with its own weight. Disney fans and collectors will find real delight here; readers looking for a story that stands entirely on its own may want to look elsewhere.