Cinderella is one of the most memorable stories of the Disney princess pantheon. It’s the truest rags to riches story, which inspires generations of young women and young girls. We all know about Cinderella and the importance of her story.
But have you ever taken a second to consider the mice?
“Delphine and the Silver Needle” is the story that does just that. The story tells us about Delphine, a young orphaned dressmaker who lives in Cinderella’s château. She soon discovers that magic tailor mice exist, and she soon becomes wrapped up in a journey to stop King Midnight from getting the power of the magic mice.
It’s a classic, action-adventure story that tells us something different about the Cinderella world. I interviewed author Alyssa Moon about the novel. Here’s a look at our conversation, which has been edited for clarity.
Deseret News: What drew you to this story?
Alyssa Moon: I’ve always loved the classic Disney animated film “Cinderella” and all of the tiny animals who live in that world. From the singing seamstress mice, to adorable Gus and Jaq, to the fabulously evil Lucifer, they all have such huge personalities. I couldn’t stop thinking about what adventures they might have off-screen. And I loved the idea of a mouse who’s grown up alongside Cinderella and picked up some of her best traits, like being courageous and kind. Maybe this little mouse learned to sew by watching Cinderella sitting in the parlor over the years, and now the mouse sews ball gowns for the other mice of the chateau. I wanted to give readers a peek inside the world of Cinderella from a perspective that hasn’t been seen before.
DN: What about mice makes an interesting story?
AM: It’s fascinating to imagine what life would be like if you were as tiny as an action figure — or a fairy — or a mouse. Would you wear a leaf as a cloak? Could a single blueberry be an entire meal? What is it like to face down a fox when you’re only a few inches tall? I want readers to imagine what life might be like as a mouse, running around inside the walls of that old chateau where Cinderella lives, but also having to face insurmountable odds. It’s so compelling to see how these tiny characters overcome the challenges of a larger-than-life world.
DN: Why does Disney have so many stories with rats and mice? Does it feel good to add to that pantheon of stories?
AM: I think we see mouse characters pop up over and over again in Disney animated films because they make the unlikeliest of heroes. When you’re a mouse, everything can be a threat … and that makes for great storytelling! Rats and mice have shown up in legends and fairy tales for thousands of years, and Disney is carrying on that rich mythology, starting with everyone’s favorite mouse — Mickey Mouse, of course. With Mickey, Disney has shown how a mouse can be a universal symbol for courage and kindness. So it’s such an honor for me to get to create new mouse characters for Disney. One of the greatest things about Disney is how beloved their characters and stories have been for generations, all around the world. To be part of that in a small way, creating a piece of the magic that will continue to exist for generations more — that’s an incredible feeling.
DN: What should people be looking out for in this novel?
AM: Readers can expect a story packed with action, adventure and heart. There are plenty of new characters, the classic battle between good and evil, and a race to solve a magical mystery before the clock strikes midnight. Oh, and a cat who has a sneezing problem.
DN: Is this a spinoff or sequel or any way related to Cinderella other than the location? How should Cinderella fans view it?
AM: I describe it as “a story set within the world of Cinderella.” It’s an opportunity to learn more about the animal characters who inhabit that world. What is life like for Gus and Jaq and the other mice who live in the walls of the chateau? What sorts of hopes and dreams do they have? It turns out that the Fairy Godmother isn’t the only one who has magic — there’s magic among the animals as well. Delphine’s story takes place during the events of the animated film, and we see glimpses of Cinderella’s journey in the background along the way. But this book is very much Delphine’s chance to shine.
DN: How does a new author break their way into Disney? What advice could you give?
AM: If you want to write books for Disney, then you should know the existing stories and worlds, inside and out. There are a lot of passionate fans who live and breathe this material, so always treat the characters with respect, and be sure that any new ones (like Delphine) fit into the existing worlds. That’s not always easy to do, creating a story that is compelling and exciting, but still works within the framework and rules of a pre-existing universe. Keep writing and keep believing. There’s always a lot of competition to work with Disney, but Disney in turn is always looking for great talent.
DN: What’s the principle people can take from ‘Delphine and the Silver Needle’?
AM: “Keep putting one paw in front of the other, and never give up.” In this first book of the series, Delphine discovers a deep strength inside herself when her life is threatened. She is determined to find answers and she keeps moving forward, no matter how dangerous her journey becomes. Even though she doesn’t know how she’s going to reach her goal, she knows that if she keeps on pushing, she’ll keep getting closer, one paw at a time. And that’s very true for all of us, I think. Often when you have a really big goal — like writing a book and sharing it with the world — you don’t always know every single step to take to get there. But you keep your eye on your goal, and you keep moving toward it, and slowly the path becomes clear. By the end of Book One, the path has become clear for Delphine, but that’s also when she discovers that her real adventure has only begun.