The Secret Lives of PrincessesI was not disappointed. When I received a spiral-bound galley of the The Secret Lives of Princesses, I did nothing but ogle the illustrations, which are just as stunning as expected. I opted to save the reading till closer to the release date and then . . . read it in plenty of time and zipped right past the release date without reviewing. But, that's okay because it's still available! Of course it is; the release date was not that long ago -- June 1.
The Secret Lives of Princesses is a very eccentric book. Oh, those French; they are so funny. The author skips right past the usual princesses, making oblique references to well-known characters who were bruised by peas and slept for 100 years and creating dozens of wildly original new characters. One of my favorites is Princess Somnia, partly because I love the beautiful pink portrait of a snoozing princess and partly because I covet her "three-masted four poster" bed. It looks like a ship. Yes, I would definitely love to sleep in a three-masted four poster. No doubt about it.
Readers will fall in love with Princess Paige, a princess who reads "everything she can find: novels, poetry, philosophy and tall tales," and may recognize Princess Babbling Brooke, who chatters incessantly. In the illustration of Babbling Brooke, words are flying from the end of her bullhorn. I think we've all met her (or a close relation) a time or two, whilst trying to read. The illustrations are breathtaking; I just can't admire them enough.
In addition to illustrations and descriptions of each princess, there are other royal things to pore over: a page of "Coats of Arms and Flags", a two-page labeled tower spread with a brief description of how to become a queen, a map of where the princesses live, a "Practical Guide: Everything you need to know about princesses"; and my personal favorite, a page of "Palaces and Residences". Had I owned this book as a child, I would have tried to duplicate my favorite palaces in some manner, probably using cardboard, paint, foil, brads and construction paper. And, lots of glue.
Bottom line:
A stunningly illustrated, eccentric, delightful book of princesses that is big enough to plop on a coffee table. And, by golly, I'd do that if I owned a coffee table. Sadly, I don't. It'll stay in a prominent place until I get to see my nieces, though. Highly recommended.
Grateful, nose-scraping-the-dirt, huggy-gushy thanks to Sterling Kids for my gorgeous, drool-worthy review copy!!
I would read it to my boys for fun! lol I might recommend this book to a friend of mine who has a little girl. :)
ReplyDeleteKrista
Krista,
ReplyDeleteI know one of my boys would have rejected the book on the basis of too much pink, but I'm not certain about the other. It's such a fun book! Definitely mention it to anyone you know with a little girl.
Looks like a book my daughter would absolutely love!
ReplyDeleteJeane,
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine a little girl not enjoying this book, but then I was kind of a girly girl and princesses were definitely my thing! LOL
This sounds like a completely fun and light read! :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteBirdy,
ReplyDeleteIt's totally fun, but there's a LOT crammed into those 92 pages, so it'll keep a girl occupied for a good, long time (even an old girl, like me). :)
Great review! I too really enjoyed this book and so have my daughters!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I kenw your daughters enjoyed it -- I read your review. I'm in lurker mode, right now, and didn't comment but I loved your review. :)
I am ordering this one straight-away! For me. Of course, I will read it to the grands when they visit...if they are very, very good.
ReplyDeleteJenclair,
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me - I need no excuse to own a good children's book (although it's nice to have one).
My son and daughter both enjoyed this book.
ReplyDelete