Princess Me

The simple joys of pretend play and pint-size romanticism get the royal treatment at the hands of Wilson ("Bear Snores On") and Unzner ("Meredith and Her Magical Book of Spells") in this gentle rhyming fantasy. Dressed in what looks like a mostly handmade outfit, a girlaka Princess Mesurveys her bedroom kingdom and imagines that her toys are her courtiers, complete with wimples and flowing gowns. With translucent watercolors and a delicate but sure ink line, Unzner conjures up a world that's prettily, proudly girly; her details pay tribute to a vivid imagination. In one spread, the royal subjects happily wait upon Princess Me as she perches on a pillow throne and beams an expression that's the very incarnation of noblesse oblige. As they comb her hair, proffer tea and sweets, and read aloud to the girl, Wilson writes, A splendid tea is set each day/ and all the royal ladies stay/ to chat the afternoon away/ with clever Princess Me. Sure, Princess Me can get cross/ or mad or blue/... just like me and you but for the most part she represents our better selves: To all the people in her land/ the princess gives to those she can./ From weakest child to strongest man, / she serves all faithfully. Now that's a monarchy worth upholding. Ages 3-7. "(Oct.)" Copyright 2007 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2In this fanciful book, a girl enters her bedroom and imagines that she is a princess, with a play castle for a kingdom and toys dressed up in royal garb as her court. The rhyming text describes her world, praising the king and queen, her teddy-bear knight, and her helpful maids-in-waiting, before pointing out, "She's almost perfect, /but it's true/sometimes she's cross/or mad or blue./She's really just like me and you/as normal as can be." Throughout, a refrain queries, "who could/this princess be, /the lovely, faithful/Princess Me?" On the final page, readers are provided with an answer that invites them right into the story: "Of course, my love, /It's Princess You!" The rhythmic language makes this book a good choice for one-on-one sharing. The watercolor-and-ink illustrations are packed with whimsical details, as the girl's stuffed-animal subjects drum, joust, protect the realm, serve tea, and perform all other manner of courtly duties. The book has an eye-catching cover, as the princess's pink dress is enhanced with silver sparkles. An additional purchase for libraries serving pretend princesses."Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA" Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.