Whatever After: If the Shoe Fits (2016) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?

There is no sexual content in this middle-grade adventure. The plot adheres strictly to traditional fairy tale tropes regarding the Prince's ball and the concept of falling in love or marriage. Abby briefly comments on how young the Prince and Cinderella are to be thinking about weddings, reflecting a modern perspective. The story focuses on the mechanics of the Cinderella tale rather than any romantic intimacy. All interactions between characters are wholesome and appropriate for the target age group of eight to…

Violence is very mild and primarily slapstick in nature, consistent with a reimagined fairy tale for children. It includes the step-sisters, Bernice and Tiffany, roughly trying to force their feet into the glass slipper and falling over. Abby and Jonah are chased by palace guards through the castle grounds, which creates a sense of minor peril but no injuries. There are minor scuffles and comedic mishaps involving the stepmother as she tries to sabotage Cinderella. Overall, the physical conflict is presented as…

Language is clean and suitable for elementary school readers. Occasional uses of words like 'stupid,' 'jerk,' 'shut up,' or 'weird' occur in the context of typical sibling bickering between Abby and Jonah. The evil stepmother uses some harsh words to belittle Cinderella, calling her lazy or incompetent, but no profanity is present. The dialogue reflects the way real siblings talk to one another during stressful situations. The vocabulary is accessible and avoids any adult terminology or derogatory slurs.

There is no use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products present in this story. The narrative focuses entirely on the siblings navigating the magical world of Cinderella and trying to correct the timeline of the fairy tale. The tone remains wholesome and appropriate for a young middle-grade audience throughout the entire book. Even at the royal ball, the beverages mentioned are limited to punch and standard refreshments. The focus is on the magical elements of the mirror and the transformation of the pumpkin rather…

Major themes include female empowerment and agency, as Abby encourages Cinderella to think beyond just marrying a prince to escape her life. The story emphasizes the importance of sibling cooperation as Jonah and Abby work together to fix their mistakes. Problem-solving is a key element, with the characters using their wits to navigate the rules of the magic mirror. There are also underlying motifs of family loyalty and the courage to change one's destiny. The book concludes with a positive message about defining…