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39th out of 89 books
—
65 voters
Princess Smartypants
by
Babette Cole
Princess Smartypants doesn't want to get married; she'd rather live with herpets. Commanded by her parents to find herself a husband, the Princess sets tasks for her horde of suitors. . . . All of the potential husbands fail miserably as the gleeful Princess looks on—until Prince Swashbuckle appears. . . .
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
July 7th 2005
by Putnam Juvenile
(first published March 18th 1987)
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Author/Illustrator: Babette Cole
First Published: 1996
Yet again Babette Cole takes a classic trope and turns it on it's head. Princess Smartypants has been told she has to marry. She doesn't want to. She sets up unachievable challenges for the princes, finally twisting the toad concept.
Finally,
A nice story with appealing illustrations - and dragons, dirty and scary creatures for little girls. Yay!
Extras
- As read by Babette Cole.
- There are two more Princess Smartypants books: Long Live Princess S...more
First Published: 1996
Yet again Babette Cole takes a classic trope and turns it on it's head. Princess Smartypants has been told she has to marry. She doesn't want to. She sets up unachievable challenges for the princes, finally twisting the toad concept.
Finally,
A nice story with appealing illustrations - and dragons, dirty and scary creatures for little girls. Yay!
Extras
- As read by Babette Cole.
- There are two more Princess Smartypants books: Long Live Princess S...more
Quem me conhece sabe que tenho um fraco por livros infantis. É a mais pura das verdades. E este livro conseguiu entrar para a minha lista de favoritos! Fiquei boquiaberta por descobrir que é original de 1987! Quem diria? A temática é tão actual!
Este é um livro de uma princesa que não quer casar! Para quê? Vive muito bem na sua casa que é o palácio onde tem espaço para ter todos os seus animais, além do mais, faz aquilo que bem quer e lhe apetece. Porque haveria ela de querer abdicar disso?
Adore...more
Este é um livro de uma princesa que não quer casar! Para quê? Vive muito bem na sua casa que é o palácio onde tem espaço para ter todos os seus animais, além do mais, faz aquilo que bem quer e lhe apetece. Porque haveria ela de querer abdicar disso?
Adore...more
This story is about an unconventional princess who doesn’t want to get married. She likes to spend time with her unusual pets and ride her motorbike. When suitors come to marry her she teaches all the princes a lesson by giving them horrible challenges to overcome so they run away. All except one prince who is very clever and passes all the challenges set by princess smartypants. She isn’t amused and teaches him an ultimate lesson. Princess Smartypants kisses the prince and he turns into a frog....more
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole
Babette Cole takes the classic Cinderella story and puts a unique spin on it. Princess Smartypants is a hilarious story! I loved that the girl was already a princess and she was being pursued by the suitors. Princess Smartypants finding happiness without a ring on her finger is current with the way many women feel about their journey to happiness. Children will love the obstacles that Princess Smartypants creates for the prince, as well as the surprise twist e...more
Babette Cole takes the classic Cinderella story and puts a unique spin on it. Princess Smartypants is a hilarious story! I loved that the girl was already a princess and she was being pursued by the suitors. Princess Smartypants finding happiness without a ring on her finger is current with the way many women feel about their journey to happiness. Children will love the obstacles that Princess Smartypants creates for the prince, as well as the surprise twist e...more
My friends may be surprised that I'm only giving this book 3 stars, because it's about an independent princess who outwits all her would-be suitors so she can live by herself, take care of her pets, and have a good time. And I do like the story... yet, I can't quite put my finger on it, but... books like this and the Paper Bag Princess seem to reinforce the idea that, in order to be a feminist and be independent, (1) you have to be mean to men, because they are bad, and (2) you have to be alone....more
Summary: Princess Smartypants doesn't want to get married; she'd rather live with her pets. Commanded by her parents to find herself a husband, the Princess sets tasks for her horde of suitors. Prince Vertigo is commanded to rescue her from her crystal tower; Prince Grovel's quest is to take the Queen shopping; and so on. All of the potential husbands fail miserably as the gleeful Princess looks onuntil Prince Swashbuckle appears. He accomplishes all of the challenges with resourcefulness and a...more
Princess Smartypants doesn't want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. and she wants to live in the castle with her pets and do exactly as she pleases. Because she is very pretty and very rich, all the princes want her to be their Mrs. So Princess Smartypants has to think up some very clever ways of dealing with unwanted suitors in this hilarious fractured fairy tale.
-Thank you goodreads
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Reading Level: K-3rd
Topic: Fantasy
Use: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read...more
-Thank you goodreads
Genre: Fractured Fairy Tale
Reading Level: K-3rd
Topic: Fantasy
Use: Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Read...more
Cole, Barbette. Princess Smartypants. New York: Putnam, 1986. Print.
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Princess Smartypants by Barbette Cole is a charismatic story about a witty princess who does not wish to marry any of her suitors. This story is captivating for children of all ages. The narrator uses humor to draw her readers in to the silly story. The illustrations perfectly display the off the wall characters. Cole uses pen and soft watercolors to bring her illustrations to life. The theme of th...more
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Princess Smartypants by Barbette Cole is a charismatic story about a witty princess who does not wish to marry any of her suitors. This story is captivating for children of all ages. The narrator uses humor to draw her readers in to the silly story. The illustrations perfectly display the off the wall characters. Cole uses pen and soft watercolors to bring her illustrations to life. The theme of th...more
Summary: Princess Smartypants doesn't want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. and she wants to live in the castle with her pets and do exactly as she pleases. Because she is very pretty and very rich, all the princes want her to be their Mrs. So Princess Smartypants has to think up some very clever ways of dealing with unwanted suitors in this hilarious fairy-tale-with-a-difference.
Written by Babette Cole
Published in 2005 by Putnam Juvenile
Recommendations/Awards: LLED Book Nomination
Audien...more
Written by Babette Cole
Published in 2005 by Putnam Juvenile
Recommendations/Awards: LLED Book Nomination
Audien...more
This book is so funny and entertaining for young children, they will want to read it over and over. It is about a young princess who is forced by her parents to find a prince she wants to marry; because she doesn't want to marry anyone and all she wants to do is play with her pets in the castle, she makes up crazy things for them to do that make them want to leave right away. Her plan works until Prince Swashbuckle comes and is able to do everything she asks, in return for completing all of the...more
I loved this book as it is about a princess that unlike many girls is not bothered about her title, fame or fortune. This princess doesn't want to be a queen: She likes her motorcycle, her dragon friends, and her independence! In this feminist reworking of a classic fairy-tale theme, Princess Smartypants defies her parents' wishes, outwits her suitors, and remains a content and single young lady. The text and illustrations are full of humour.
I would argue that this is highly accessible for child...more
I would argue that this is highly accessible for child...more
I really enjoyed this book by Babette Cole. The princess in this tale doesn't want to get married, but to get her parents off her back, she sets forth a challenge for each suitor to try and win her hand. They each fail in a comic collection of terrible tasks, until Prince Swashbuckle succeeds. Fortunately for Princess Smartypants, he turns into a toad when she kisses him and all other Princes are put off the idea of marrying her. She is then able to relax and live happily ever after
A perfectly...more
A perfectly...more
I loved this book. My five-year-old princess daughter didn't know what to think. The princess in this tale doesn't want to get married, but to get her parents off her back, she sets forth a challenge for each suitor to try and win her hand. They each fail in a comic collection of terrible tasks, until one actually succeeds where all the others had come up short. Has Princess Smartypants met her match?
My daughter was disturbed by the notion that Smartypants didn't want to get married. She wants t...more
My daughter was disturbed by the notion that Smartypants didn't want to get married. She wants t...more
Babette Cole has written many children’s books that seem to feature rebellious children. “Princess Smartypants” is certainly no exception. Babette Cole’s princess story has everything that both an adult and child would gladly appreciate: great sense of humor and a beautiful message about being yourself and standing up for what you believe is right.
Babette Cole did a marvelous job on both the story and the illustrations. The illustrations are as hilarious as they are exuberant. Babette Cole prod...more
Babette Cole did a marvelous job on both the story and the illustrations. The illustrations are as hilarious as they are exuberant. Babette Cole prod...more
Say, tokoh ini punya semua yang diimpikan oleh setiap wanita di muka bumi ini. Dia cantik, seorang princess, tajir pasti, happy with her life dan SINGLE.
Dan single itu jadi alasan kenapa orang tuanya kemudian memaksa dia untuk segera mencari pasangan hidup.
Tapi, ternyata princess satu ini adalah temennya Oppie Andaresta yang selalu bernyanyi-nyanyi, "I'm single and very happy.."
hahaha
ngga, itu cuma karangan gue doang. Tapi bagian "single and very happy"-nya beneran.
Single, belum tentu available....more
Dan single itu jadi alasan kenapa orang tuanya kemudian memaksa dia untuk segera mencari pasangan hidup.
Tapi, ternyata princess satu ini adalah temennya Oppie Andaresta yang selalu bernyanyi-nyanyi, "I'm single and very happy.."
hahaha
ngga, itu cuma karangan gue doang. Tapi bagian "single and very happy"-nya beneran.
Single, belum tentu available....more
My seven year old girls had to reprimand me for my treatment of books as I was hurling this across the floor. From the lowbrow names of "Prince Pelvis, Swimbladder, Boneshaker, Grovel etc. and the overall disrespectful, non-familial attitudes to the man-hating, lying, deal breaking princess this book was feminist rubbish from top to bottom. Even the illustrations left nothing to recommend. I hate to be contrary, but I had to run for the mouthwash to get this bad taste out.
J'ai emprunté le livre aujourd'hui à la bibliothèque pour pouvoir lire un petit conte en anglais aux enfants aujourd'hui. Le graphisme m'a fait penser aux livres de Pélagie la sorcière...
Petite phrase courte. C'est facile à lire et à comprendre.
Mais l'atout majeure de livre je dois l'avouer c'est surtout son dénoument! Ma fille a failli s'etouffer tellement c'est drôle et inattendue...
Bref, on a adoré tous les 3....
Petite phrase courte. C'est facile à lire et à comprendre.
Mais l'atout majeure de livre je dois l'avouer c'est surtout son dénoument! Ma fille a failli s'etouffer tellement c'est drôle et inattendue...
Bref, on a adoré tous les 3....
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This is essentially the best book for a young feminist. The princess decides that she does not want to get married, but wants to stay with her animals. When she is forced to pick a husband, and she kisses him, he turns into a frog. This twist on the princess and the frog story makes this one post-modern as well. Creative story, but I actually prefer the original better, so this book was not one of my favorites.
Princess Smartypants does not think or behave the way we expect a princess to. She doesn't want to be married or get tied down and she would rather roller-disco than go on dates with her suitors. In the end, she gives one of them a kiss and turns him into a frog. This book is an example of a non-traditional path for a girl.
Potential Audience: Grades K-4
Genre: Fictional picture book, fractured fairy tale
Curricular Use: Read-aloud, independent reading, guided reading
Social Issues: Gender roles
Ima...more
Potential Audience: Grades K-4
Genre: Fictional picture book, fractured fairy tale
Curricular Use: Read-aloud, independent reading, guided reading
Social Issues: Gender roles
Ima...more
Very cute book. I do think that this book is sill because none of the girls or boys in our class's will be getting married any time soon but the story line is very fun! I liked how the princess was herself and didn't need not want to get married. Overall I think the book supported feminism as well. The images were amazing and this is a very unique fairy tale. Great way to promote fantasy and writing.
In this first Smartypants book we meet the Princess and learn about her and of her fate. The twist on the kiss the handsome prince/frog thing at the end is great and we see what happens a little bit more with that in the next book Princess Smartypants Rules.
These books are so fun to read and the pictures are cute, too! My six year old and I loved this set of books and look forward to reading it again sometime soon!
These books are so fun to read and the pictures are cute, too! My six year old and I loved this set of books and look forward to reading it again sometime soon!
Princess Smartypants doesn't want to marry any of the princes that are after her hand in marriage so she sets up a lot of really really hard tasks for them to complete. That is until Prince Swashbuckle shows up! He meets all her challenges. Then she kisses him and he turns into a toad! A Happy Ending for Ms. Smartypants after all!
This is not your typical fairytale book. This princess find her prince after putting many prince's through obstacles. She kisses the prince and he turns into a frog. I would use this in a fairy tale unit in order for students to see not all princess' are the same. Would be an excellent source in the class library.
Someone gave this to Owen for an early birthday. He allowed me to read it to him one time, because there were animals in it, but since it had a plot and human characters, it was not a favorite of his. I, on the other hand, thought it clever and fun, and I've read it to several appreciative children since then.
Princess Smartypants is very happy with the way things are. She likes being a Ms., doing what she likes, spending time with her pets, and has no interest in becoming a Mrs., as her mother wants her to do. She doesn't dress like a traditional princess...or act like one. She decides that she will assign tasks to potential suitors in order to "win her hand." None of the suitors are able to complete her tasks and this makes Princess Smartypants very happy. But what happens when Prince Swashbuckle sh...more
* This is a very unique twist on the tradtional princess story.
* This story allows the students to use their imagination and creativity in terms of literacy.
* This would be a good book to use as a starter to a creative writing assignment and a good book to use to get the creative jucies flowing.
* This story allows the students to use their imagination and creativity in terms of literacy.
* This would be a good book to use as a starter to a creative writing assignment and a good book to use to get the creative jucies flowing.
I read my mother's copy of this just the other night, while hunting for a picture book to use for an upcoming lesson plan, and loved it. The princes' names are brilliant and the ending made me literally laugh out loud with pleasure.
All kids should read this. Especially girls.
All kids should read this. Especially girls.
Summary: Not wishing to marry any of her royal suitors, Princess Smartypants devises difficult tasks at which they all fail, until the multitalented Prince Swashbuckle appears.
Fun. Easy to read slowly as you will want to soak up the pictures. Surprise ending. Hilarious!
Fun. Easy to read slowly as you will want to soak up the pictures. Surprise ending. Hilarious!
I quite enjoyed the illustrations, the Dickensian suitors' names, and the basic premise of the book. Critics say that it goes a bit too far in making the men insipid and foppish, but it's a good romp. My dear friend Nick's narration of the book was also top-notch!
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Nov 13, 2010 03:35am