{"product_id":"the-gift-of-the-crocodile-a-cinderella-story-9780689821882","title":"The Gift of the Crocodile: A Cinderella Story","description":"\u003ci\u003eIn the Spice Islands, where clove and nutmeg trees grow, \u003cbr\u003e a girl named Damura lived long ago.\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Damura is a beautiful girl, as kind and lovely as the little green parrot that perches on the nutmeg tree. But Damura's stepmother and stepsister mistreat her. They force her to rise before dawn, carry out all the chores, and sleep on the floor. One day, while down by the river, Damura calls out to the creatures of the wild for help. Rising from the waters, an ancient crocodile answers the call. This unusual fairy godmother, aptly named Grandmother Crocodile, outfits Damura in a sarong of gold, with slippers to match, and sends her to the palace to dance for the prince. Once he sees her, the prince knows that she will be his bride. \u003cbr\u003e But the fairy tale isn't quite over. Damura's wicked stepmother and stepsister are so jealous that they push Damura into the river, where she is swallowed by a crocodile. Too bad they didn't know about Grandmother Crocodile.... \u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eThe Gift of the Crocodile, \u003c\/i\u003e a tale from the Spice Islands in Indonesia, offers a colorful and dramatic twist on the universally adored Cinderella story\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJudy Sierra is the author of many award-winning books for children including the bestsellers \u003ci\u003eAntarctic Antics\u003c\/i\u003e, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey; \u003ci\u003eWild About Books\u003c\/i\u003e, illustrated by Marc Brown; and \u003ci\u003eThe Secret Science Project that Almost Ate the School\u003c\/i\u003e, illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Sierra holds a PhD in folklore and mythology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has received the Children's Choice Award from the International Reading Association, two Aesop awards from the American Folklore Society, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Prize from the Association of Booksellers for Children. She lives with her husband in Eugene, Oregon. Visit her online at JudySierra.net. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eReynold Ruffins is a graduate of The Cooper Union and a recipient of its most prestigious honor, The Augustus Saint-Gaudens Award for outstanding professional achievement in arts. Ruffins has taught art and design at many different schools and completed commissions for several clients, including IBM, AT\u0026amp;T, Coca-Cola, and \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times\u003c\/i\u003e. Ruffins has illustrated over fifteen children's books and earned a Coretta Scott King Award for \u003ci\u003eRunning the Road to ABC\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50514306728210,"sku":"9780689821882","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_49d9ee91-1dea-49b1-b627-b8d5986c76a1.jpg?v=1730978912","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-gift-of-the-crocodile-a-cinderella-story-9780689821882","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}