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20th out of 61 books
—
154 voters
Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated)
A bestselling Caldecott Honor artist and legendary author team up in this Parents' Choice Silver Award Book!
Truly 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 f...more
Truly 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 f...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
September 22nd 2009
by Schwartz & Wade
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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, even placing...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, even placing...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 failure to be serious...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 failure to be serious...more
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Oct 02, 2009
Nicole
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
no one, on principle
Shelves:
picture-books
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 Heid...more
I got a kick out of the narrator's tone in this book. Kind of the way I would tell the story if I'd been there.
Princess Hyacinth floats. Some kids whine, some kids talk too loud, some kids float. Okay, no kids float, except Princess Hyacinth. It's her thing.
Inside the castle, it's not that big of a deal. She floats, she hits the ceiling, someone gets her down. Outside is a different story. To keep her from floating away, the King and Queen make Hyacinth wear clothing with jewels sewn into the...more
Princess Hyacinth floats. Some kids whine, some kids talk too loud, some kids float. Okay, no kids float, except Princess Hyacinth. It's her thing.
Inside the castle, it's not that big of a deal. She floats, she hits the ceiling, someone gets her down. Outside is a different story. To keep her from floating away, the King and Queen make Hyacinth wear clothing with jewels sewn into the...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 of the younge...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 of the younge...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 the page. He...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 the page. He...more
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.
Princess Hyacinth looks just like any other little girl and you'd think she was completely normal except for one thing. She floats! She does not get to do anything other little children do because her parents were so worried that she'd float away into the sky. And one day, she does just that! She finds her way back to earth with the help of Boy in the most amusing fashion. This delightful story is a version of the classic George MacDonald story, "The Light Princess." Lane Smith, who has frequent...more
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I didnt like this at all. Probably because the beginning irked me, there was some sort of mention about her having a problem, and then it said something about her appearance being normal and she had two eyes and a nose or something. I don't like references to "normal appearance" in Childrens books.
After reading that everything in the book bothered me. Everything. I don't like the idea of little girls thinking they are princesses, when being a princess is not what disney made it out to be. And t...more
After reading that everything in the book bothered me. Everything. I don't like the idea of little girls thinking they are princesses, when being a princess is not what disney made it out to be. And t...more
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 should amuse both...more
Princess Hyacinth's humorous predicament should amuse both...more
The text is big and colorful, the images minimal to the text, not trying to compete but rather accompany its exuberance with an understated presence--a punctuation mark to every facing page of the story. Even still, text and illustration alternate organically as prelude to the other.
The soft tones and textures and the absence of prissiness in the neither pretty nor ugly Princess denotes a strange normalcy considering this is a fairy tale--isn't it? Like a good fairy tale, the reader/listener sh...more
The soft tones and textures and the absence of prissiness in the neither pretty nor ugly Princess denotes a strange normalcy considering this is a fairy tale--isn't it? Like a good fairy tale, the reader/listener sh...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
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 refreshing to see somethi...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 this world. Two...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 this world. Two...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 to drag aroun...more
Would work for Story time 3 and up. Pretend to drag aroun...more
This was a really cute story about a princess with a really uncute problem: she floats. She has to wear heavy royal garb to keep herself grounded, which is really a drag (this must be pun day for me). The word placement and font usage were great. The pictures went well with the story and for the most part were a delight to look at, though some felt a little off (perhaps the people and backgrounds being digitally combined?). I look forward to using this in a storytime some day.
This was a really cute story about a princess with a really uncute problem: she floats. She has to wear heavy royal garb to keep herself grounded, which is really a drag (this must be pun day for me). The word placement and font usage were great. The pictures went well with the story and for the most part were a delight to look at, though some felt a little off (perhaps the people and backgrounds being digitally combined?). I look forward to using this in a storytime some day.
A very cute book about a princess with a problem. I would use this book to talk about how friends can help each other solve problems that seem big and scary when we try to face them alone. I think it could also be used after a new student moves in to talk about how people who are different than us may have different skills and experiences that we can learn from just as the princess' new friend helped her find a solution to her problem.
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.
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/2010/01/1...
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.
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.
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.
Oct 04, 2009
nicole j. wroblewski
rated it
5 of 5 stars
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!
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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 childhood self, which is the mos...more
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