In ancient China, kind Yeh-hsien befriends a magical red fish that grants her wish for beautiful clothes to attend the Spring Festival, where she dazzles everyone but loses a tiny golden slipper. When the king searches for the mysterious girl who fits the shoe, Yeh-hsien's life transforms from hardship to happiness, outwitting her cruel stepmother. This oldest known Cinderella story sparkles with wonder and justice.

Dawn Casey's dual language retelling from Mantra Lingua's World Tales collection features lively illustrations and clever twists that highlight cultural variations in fairy tales. Great for comparing global legends and discussing themes like kindness and perseverance, it's an enchanting choice for young readers to discover folklore traditions and moral lessons.