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Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)
A bestselling Caldecott Honor artist and legendary author team up!
A publishing event! Florence Parry Heide, author of such classics as the Shrinking of Treehorn, and Lane Smith, recipient of a slew of awards, have created an unforgettable princess sure to charm and delight young readers.
Princess Hyacinth has a problem: she floats. And so the king and queen have pebbles sew...more
A publishing event! Florence Parry Heide, author of such classics as the Shrinking of Treehorn, and Lane Smith, recipient of a slew of awards, have created an unforgettable princess sure to charm and delight young readers.
Princess Hyacinth has a problem: she floats. And so the king and queen have pebbles sew...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
September 22nd 2009
by Schwartz & Wade
(first published 2009)
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“Princess Hyacinth had a problem.”
This first line in Florence Parry Heide’s tale about a princess with an unusual problem sets the stage for Princess Hyacinth’s witty adventure. In Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated), poor Princess Hyacinth is stuck inside the palace everyday. She cannot run outside, go swimming, or play with other children. If Princess Hyacinth was to go outside she would simply float away. Her parents try everything to keep her grounded, e...more
This first line in Florence Parry Heide’s tale about a princess with an unusual problem sets the stage for Princess Hyacinth’s witty adventure. In Princess Hyacinth (the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated), poor Princess Hyacinth is stuck inside the palace everyday. She cannot run outside, go swimming, or play with other children. If Princess Hyacinth was to go outside she would simply float away. Her parents try everything to keep her grounded, e...more
I was very excited when I saw this as The Light Princess by George MacDonald is one of my very favorite fairy tales of all time. And this story of a floating princess is almost certainly inspired by MacDonald's tale although I didn't see any mention of it anywhere. But no matter - the story is pretty heavily modified here.
In the original tale the princess is cursed by the king's slighted sister. And not only does the princess float, but she's also very lighthearted and her failu...more
In the original tale the princess is cursed by the king's slighted sister. And not only does the princess float, but she's also very lighthearted and her failu...more
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I appreciated the tone of this book all the more once I realized it was written by author of the Treehorn books. Same great wit, but (sadly) far less edgy. In the same vein, I generally appreciate Lane Smith's artwork but there was something off about this book. Too computer graphic-y perhaps? What should have been a terrific book by a dynamic duo was mostly disappointing. Not terrible exactly, but certainly not the wham bam sarcastic hysterical entertaining book that could have come from a...more
Princess Hyacinth has a problem: she floats. Anytime she wants to go outside, she has to wear her heavy, heavy crown and her princess gown with weights sewn in the hem so she doesn't float away. This means that she can't go out and play with the other children, and so Hyacinth lives a very boring life... until one day when she goes for a walk in the park.
This is a delightful book that would make a very fun read-aloud for a storytime to school-aged children of almost any grade. Some o...more
This is a delightful book that would make a very fun read-aloud for a storytime to school-aged children of almost any grade. Some o...more
Princess Hyacinth isn’t your normal princess. She floats. And that’s not a metaphor for her delicate manner of walking lady-like, she literally floats in the air. The only solution is for the king and queen to weigh her down with a heavy crown and jewels. But she wants to fly, and a new friendship will help do so.
A collaboration of two big names in the children’s literature world, Princess Hyacinth is a visual delight. Lane Smith’s illustrations are usually bright and loud, all over ...more
A collaboration of two big names in the children’s literature world, Princess Hyacinth is a visual delight. Lane Smith’s illustrations are usually bright and loud, all over ...more
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Princess Hyacinth has a problem. When she's not weighted down with her official princess clothes and crown, she floats off up into the air. this isn't too much of a problem inside the palace, but it means she can't have any fun outside. She is horribly bored until she came up with an idea for the Balloon Man to try. Then she was bobbing along with his balloons until her string came loose. Now everyone must rally to save the floating girl.
Princess Hyacinth's humorous predicament ...more
Princess Hyacinth's humorous predicament ...more
My sister and I just discovered this incredibly awesome book yesterday, and, may I just say that it is ... incredibly awesome!? The story, about a princess who has to be weighted down at all times, otherwise she floats, is odd and delightful. We kept laughing out loud at the clever writing and amusing situations poor Princess Hyacinth finds herself in. It has everything a good princess story ought to have - there's even a little bit of romance. The illustrations are lovely, clever, and fun to lo...more
I liked many aspects of this book. The way that word font, size, and placement was used to convey the story (as well as the pictures), the idea behind the story, and the illustrations themselves. But within the first page there was unacceptable ableism (implying that if she hadn't looked "normal" that would be a problem), and I didn't appreciate the romantic nature of the relationship between Hyacinth and Boy (I mean they look all of 5), not to mention that his name is Boy. Ugh. Wh...more
what a lovely picture book! i adore the fact that her princess gear, literally, repressed her from being herself/having fun. also, it's wonderful that there is no resolution in the end: "the problem about the floating was never solved, and that's too bad. but princess hyacinth was never bored again. good." far too often, i find myself frustrated with YA lit and children's picture books that ALWAYS have a resolution/change/etc. life doesn't always work like that, so it's refreshin...more
A hilarious story about a young princess who cannot go outside to play . . . because she will float away! Golden weight are sewn into her royal clothes, but at night, in her undewear, she hovers near the ceiling. Dreaming of playing in the gardens with a boy she sees from her window, Princess Hyacinth sets off on an adventure.
This is one of the CUTEST books I've read in ages. The story is great, the wording, everything, just funny and sweet and superb. And the pictures are out of...more
This is one of the CUTEST books I've read in ages. The story is great, the wording, everything, just funny and sweet and superb. And the pictures are out of...more
This princess is kept from floating by weighing her down- with jewels and a rediculously oversize crown. Unfortunately, she can hardly move and is terribly bored! When she asks the balloon man in the park to tie a string to her toe so she can safely float, of course it comes loose and off she goes! She loves floating freely- but luckily runs into the kite of a boy who can pull her down. At the she can float safely and has a friend as well.
Would work for Story time 3 and up. Pretend t...more
Would work for Story time 3 and up. Pretend t...more
Princess Hyacinth has a problem ... She floats! This is great fun, with the varied fonts and imaginative design. Lane Smith's illustration are wonderful, with a variety of viewpoints offered. Some may not love the fact that she is rescued by a boy. This could be paired with a couple of my other favorites, Imogene's Antlers and A Bad Case of Stripes, for a fun storytime of girls with unusual problems. For children ages four to eight.
Princess Hyacinth is the delightful story of a princess who floated unless she was weighted down with all her finery. Not allowed to play outside, lest she float away forever, Hyacinth spends her days watching out the window while other children play. One day she has the brilliant idea to tie herself to a string like a balloon! Mayhem and hilarity ensue. Lane Smith's wackadoodle illustrations make this a five-star fun read.
Heidi
rated it
Ha ha ha ha! This book makes me smile for so many reasons. I love the illustrations. The story is fun. I can see so many preschool and school-age kids loving it. A very fun choice for a storytime. Perhaps a little long for preschool--depending on the kids in the group. But the story will entertain them. And then a lap-read and read-along can allow better enjoyment of the pictures.
Excellent choice for a Beehive nominee.
Excellent choice for a Beehive nominee.
This book is beautifully designed, with the perfect blend of quirky, hip and traditional. It’s also practically and humorously written, and the final lesson, that not all problems can be solved, but life can be made interesting, is healthy and fun. It’s a great blend of the weight of real life and the lightness of childhood and curiosity. It also made me wonder whom I would invite to a popcorn and tea party.
Princess Hyacinth is a charming, funny book about a princess who would be perfectly normal if she didn't float. As an adult, I like it because of its engaging, humorous voice. My 7-year-old daughter liked it because of its repeated references to "royal underwear." In fact, my daughter wrote a review of the book, too. It's at: http://patzietlowmiller.com/2010/01/12/k...
I love Florence Parry Heide's writing! Princess Hyacinth's problem with floating is never solved, but at least she finds a way to enjoy the outdoors without being weighed down all the time with her heavy crown and socks with diamond pebbles sewn in to help keep her grounded. I love her in her bathing suit wearing a seat belt that attaches her to a bench by the window so she can see the other kids swimming.
While I wish the "hero" was Girl instead of Boy, just to avoid the weird commoner-boy-saves-princess thing that seems oddly misplaced here ("Then Boy would fly his kite up, up, up right next to her, and reel her in when she wanted to come down"--really? I mean, she gets to choose the time, but still), this had some delightful moments in both illustration and words, and ends on a fantastic note.
The life of a princess has it's ups & downs, but for the floating Princess Hyacinth, those ups may be more than she bargained for. Luckily, there's nothing like the solid friendship of a quick-thinking pal to help keep her on the ground. This wonderful princess tale is paired perfectly with an award winning illustration and design duo that will earn this one national attention and accolades.
3 1/2 stars
A fun, whimsical story. We aren't told why the princess floats (it doesn't matter) and no attempts are made to cure her -- just to keep her from floating away. With the aid of a kite and a pleasant boy, a way is found for Hyacinth to have some freedom. Great illustrations by Lane Smith.
Good for preschool/early school age storytime -- maybe pair with Falling for Rapunzel.
A fun, whimsical story. We aren't told why the princess floats (it doesn't matter) and no attempts are made to cure her -- just to keep her from floating away. With the aid of a kite and a pleasant boy, a way is found for Hyacinth to have some freedom. Great illustrations by Lane Smith.
Good for preschool/early school age storytime -- maybe pair with Falling for Rapunzel.
Ben CollinsworthNAU
added it
This is a great book. Princess Hyacinth has a problem, she floats. Princess Hyacinth is always bummed out because she cannot play outside with all of her friends unless she wears all of her float preventing clothes. One day the Princess is tired of not being able to play and she goes on an adventure. After floating she finds herself in a pickle. Her friend boy saves the day!
-Kendra
-Kendra
Princess Hyacinth has a problem. She floats! She is constantly weighted down by her royal clothes and is not allowed to play outside with the other kids because she would just float away. One day she sees a balloon man and gets the brilliant idea that she will float along like a balloon. Luckily her friend Boy is able to do much more than just rescue her from floating away forever!
I can't help but love atypical fairy tales, and I adore this one about a princess who can't help but float up in the sky. Crowns and heavy gowns are seen in a new light-they exist to make the princess look like a princess, and also to keep her down to the ground.
The ending of this book makes me feel very happy, and gets mad props as it is illustrated by Lane Smith.
The ending of this book makes me feel very happy, and gets mad props as it is illustrated by Lane Smith.
nicole j. wroblewski
rated it
Recommends it for:
Everyone, especially all dem young ladiez
Recommended to nicole by:
Unabridged Books, Chicago
Shelves:
picture-books
It goes without saying that Lane Smith's illustrations are wonderful and funny, but there's one page in particular I wanted to tear out, frame, and hang on my wall. Perfect illustration of a perfect sentence. "She didn't know how high the sky could go."
Sweet, funny, and inspiring. I can't wait for my sister to pop out that baby girl so I have someone to give this to!
Sweet, funny, and inspiring. I can't wait for my sister to pop out that baby girl so I have someone to give this to!
Cassie (foxmuses)
rated it
A fun book about a princess who cannot help but float everywhere she goes. Her parents insist that she is tied down or wear weights to keep her from floating away. But the princess is bored and enlists the help of a balloon man to carry her about. When he is scared by a dog, the princess is carried up and no one is quite sure how to bring her back down again.
I checked this book out based on reviews because I was curious about the story's relationship to The Light Princess by George MacDonald, a childhood favorite of my youngest daughter. I recently found out that she took her copy to college with her. Princess Hyacinth is a nice book, but does not have a lot of depth, a necessary element of a long-lasting favorite.
This is a cute picture book about a princess who floats when she is not wearing her heavy royal clothing. With the help of a new friend she finds a way to be outside without floating away. It is illustrated by Lane Smith and the pictures are fun to look at of course. This is going to be popular with our many young patrons who are into princess stories!
I read this to my first and second graders and they were belly laughing. This is a book about a princess who floats, she has to to wear weights in her dress or she will float. When she takes off her dress and is in her "royal underwater" up she goes. But she wants to be normal and play outside with "the boy" and other kids. So cute!
Princess Hyacinth is an unusual princess, she floats and is unable to walk on the ground without being weighted down. This would be a fun concept book to use when discussing sinking and floating with children in grades K-2. Many good questions could be generated about this book. The illustrations delightfully extend the text.
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"What do I like about writing for children? Everything," says Florence Parry Heide, the award-winning author of more than sixty children’s books, including the classic THE SHRINKING OF TREEHORN, illustrated by Edward Gorey. "I like the connection with children," the author says. "I like the connection with all kinds of book people. And I like the connection with my childho...more
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