[1] Loosely based on the folk tale Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper, to which it serves as a stand-alone sequel, it was published in 1999.

A three-episode television miniseries adaptation of the novel aired on BBC One in 2001, starring Calum Worthy and Katie Blake.

Bob and Joan have no children and they take care of the boy by providing food and a bed.

When he spots a photograph of Princess Aurelia, the prince's fiancée, in the newspaper, he appears to recognise her as 'Mary Jane'.

When confronted by a cat, Roger runs away from the palace and undergoes adventures as people exploit his ability to eat almost anything, and to wriggle through small openings.

The series was produced by Andy Rowley and directed by Laurie Lynd and was adapted by Richard Carpenter, who won a BAFTA award for the work.