Princess, Princess - Hardcover

Penny Dale is the author-illustrator of numerous acclaimed books for children, including TEN IN THE BED and BIG BROTHER, LITTLE BROTHER,. She is also the illustrator of THE JAMIE AND ANGUS STORIES by Anne Fine. Of PRINCESS, PRINCESS, Penny Dale says, "I very much enjoyed reworking the story of Sleeping Beauty with the children center stage, playing out the drama in their own way." Penny Dale lives in Wales.

PreS-Gr. 1. Little girls passionate about princesses, fairies, and the color pink will gravitate to this achingly sweet retelling of Sleeping Beauty with children cast in the lead roles. In lulling text and illustrations of gossamer delicacy, the story unfolds familiarly until the point when a "frowning little fairy" unleashes her fury at not having been invited to the princess' birthday celebration. The repeated question, "Who will wake the princess with a kiss?" is met with a surprising answer at the story's end, when the snubbed fairy returns (in lieu of a handsome prince) to provide the necessary kiss and make amends. By focusing on the fairy's relationship with the princess, Dale dramatizes the abrupt shifts from estrangement to allegiance so common among children at play. At the same time, she simply but effectively brings the age-old themes of a cherished fairy tale even closer to a child's emotional world and offers a gentle message about the resilience of friendship. Jennifer Mattson
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