We began our year reading the bilingual book Estrellita de Oro, Little Gold Star, A Cinderella Cuento, by Joe Hayes.  The story of Arcía is a wonderful version of the classic tale Cinderella. Arcía, the Cinderella figure, wants her father to marry, even though he warns her that the stepmother's sweetness "will turn bitter in time." True enough. When her father goes to the mountains to tend his sheep, Arcía is treated badly by Margarita, her stepmother and her two stepsisters.  In the story Arcía gets a gold star on her forehead from a hawk, while her stepsisters get a horn and donkey's ear for their cruelty. It is by the star that the wealthy young prince remembers Arcía; and with a talking cat's help, he finds her.

As a class we looked up New Mexico on the map, since that is where the story originated.  We also admired and discussed the wonderful illustrations, by Gloria Osuna Perez and her daughter, Lucia Angela Perez. We shared our favorite part of the story, and we used Kidspiration & Inspiration to discuss Arcía’s qualities. We compared and contrasted this story with the classic Cinderella.  We also imagined ourselves in the story and told of what we would give Arcía instead of a Gold Star. 

We hope you enjoy! 

New York State  ELA Standards  Used

Standard 1: Students will listen, speak, read and write for information and understanding.

Standard 2: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for literary response and expression.

Standard 3: Students will read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation.