By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 17, 2013
Parental opinions on princesses run the gamut from trying to shield our daughters at all costs to wholly embracing the happily ever after stereotype. Being from the former camp myself, I eventually came around and accepted my daughter’s wholehearted enthusiasm for all things pink and princessy. I wouldn’t have steered her in that direction myself, but once her inclination manifested itself, I couldn’t ban princess-related things for fear of encouraging her desire by making them contraband. And while I don’t necessarily agree with the standard princess conventions, I do appreciate the lessons inherent in most princess fairy tales. That said, I also try to temper the traditional fairy tales with more modern takes on gender roles. Following is a list of princess stories that ranges from old-fashioned, traditional tales to new releases that encourage creativity and inventiveness.
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Retold and illustrated by Ruth Sanderson
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Crocodile Books
What to expect: A retelling of a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm; dancing princesses; keeping secrets
The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a traditional tale of regal finery and intrigue. The earliest known version of the tale is from 1812 by the Brothers Grimm but there are many versions in various languages. In this version, the story tells of twelve princesses who spend their nights secretly dancing in an enchanted palace instead of sleeping. When their father, the king, asks why their shoes are always worn out in the mornings, they reply that they don’t know since all they do at night is sleep. The king offers the hand of one of his daughters in marriage to the man who discovers their secret. Ruth Sanderson has lovingly retold and illustrated the story with beautiful images of the princesses and their charming evenings.
The Princess and the Pea
By Hans Christian Andersen; illustrated by Maja Dusíková
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 26 pages
Publisher: Floris Books
What to expect: A retelling of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen; learning not to judge a book by its cover
In this version of the Princess and the Pea, a young prince searches high and low for the perfect princess but has little luck. He travels around the world but can’t seem to find a “true” princess. He returns home in despair. As luck would have it, a thunderstorm brings a wayward princess to the castle. She is invited to stay and the Queen devises an ingenious plan to determine whether or not she’s a real princess.
Little Miss Molly
By Melissa M. Williams; illustrated by Kelley Ryan
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Long Tale Publishing
What to expect: Princesses in pink; trying new things; sharing
Little Miss Molly is an adorable green lizard who loves to dress up as a princess. She wears pink, and only pink, because that’s what princesses wear. Disaster strikes when her favorite pink dress is dyed purple in a laundry accident–but in true princess fashion, she finds a way to solve her problem and enjoy her friends.
A Princess Like Me
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 12 pages
Publisher: Random House
What to expect: Simple story about a princess’ everyday activities; pop-up pictures
In this lovely paperback, we meet a young princess who has invited her friends to a royal tea party. We see her wake up, get dressed and do her chores before meeting her friends–a perfect example of how princesses do lots of the same things we do.
Part-Time Princess
By Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Cambria Evans
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Paperback: 30 pages
Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
What to expect: Not your typical princess story; dragons and trolls; adventures
By day she’s a regular girl who goes to school, has a pesky little brother and has to follow the rules. By night, she’s a princess who rescues the kingdom from fire-breathing dragons and tames troublesome trolls. This delightful tale of an empowered princess uses imaginative role play to foster problem-solving skills.
The Princess Who Never Smiled
By Nora Gaydos
Reading level: Ages 4-7
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: innovativeKids
What to expect: An interactive book that can be read, re-written and re-drawn
The Princess Who Never Smiled is a great book for building early literacy skills. Young readers can enjoy the funny story about a king and queen who try to get their princess daughter to smile. After reading it, there is a section of lined pages where youngsters can retell the story in their own words. Finally, there is a section where readers can draw their own pictures to the story. The book includes stickers that can be used in the illustrations. This is a thoroughly entertaining hands-on experience.
