The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed
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The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed
by
4.18 of 5 stars
This is not a book for children. It looks like a children's book. It has pictures. It has a saccharine-sweet title. The main characters are a li... read full description

reviews

Aug 12, 2010
Patrick rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a pet project of mine that I've been working on with a friend for a couple of years now. It's a not-for-children picture book. I think of it as Coraline meets Calvin and Hobbes.

It will be released from Subterranean Press in July of 2010, and I'm really unreasonably proud of it.

If you want more details, you can read the blog I wrote about it over here:

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle.

Edit: The book is out now. The first print More...
14 comments like (16 people liked it)
Aug 07, 2011
Stephen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
4.0 stars. I have been waiting for this to come out ever since I first read that Patrick Rothfuss was writing a "not for children" children's book and it did not disappoint. Diabolically clever, this is a book you will want to go back through a second time after you finish it so you can really appreciate the brilliance of the artwork that absoutely makes the story. Highly Recommended!!!!
0 comments like (4 people liked it)
Aug 12, 2010
Joel rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Remember how the Calvin and Hobbes anthologies would start off with some elaborate, full-color artsy extended bit of weirdness from Bill Watterson? My favorite was "A Naseous Nocture," an long poem about something creepy under the bed in the closet, with lines like this: "In the morning, they’ll come in/And say, 'what was that awful din/We heard last night? You kept us both from sleep!' Only then will they surmise/The gruesomeness of my demise/And see that my remains are in a heap More...
2 comments like (4 people liked it)
Nov 26, 2010
Jeff rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Patrick Rothfuss is a storyteller (The Name of the Wind), a father, a blogger (patrickrothfuss), a humanitarian (Worldbuilders), and more than a little insane:

.



Patrick (I feel I can call him "Patrick" since he will be haunting my dreams for many nights to come) gives voice to his insanity with The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle. It is a story that is both touching and diabolical. A reminder of what it was like to be a child in a world fueled by More...
0 comments like (4 people liked it)
Jun 17, 2011
S.N.Arly rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is an awesome and terrifically fun take on the whole locked away princess tale. Have you ever wondered WHY she's locked away? Well here's your answer.

The pictures are engaging (and even more entertaining on the second read). Be sure to watch the background for the aftermath of the battle on the bridge, analyze that buried treasure and take note of the placement of the locks and spikes on the gate.

The story has three endings. The first is sweet, the second is suggesti More...
0 comments like
Apr 07, 2011
S. Eric rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed by Patrick Rothfuss and illustrated by Nate Taylor is a delightful and subversive graphic novel. The Princess and Mr. Whiffle is in essence a dark fantasy graphic novel masquerading as a children’s book.

The themes and setting of The Princess and Mr. Whiffle are exceedingly familiar. This is a realm of make believe complete with a candy castle, tea sets and make-believe adventures. Even the American-Anime drawi More...
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Aug 02, 2010
David rated it: 3 of 5 stars
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed is a perfectly deceptive little book. At first glance, it looks like your typical children's picture book. It's the size of a picture book. It has an image of the young Princess playing with her teddy bear, Mr. Whiffle, on the cover and they are adorable. As you read through, you discover a typical tale of a little girl and her teddy bear best friend. Yet, there seems something slightly dark and sinister about the entire t More...
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Jul 28, 2010
Larissa rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Princess and Mr. Whiffle live alone together in a marzipan castle, but they don't mind for they are the best of friends doing everything together. They have many great adventures facing many dangers, though none of these dangers are real but for one exception; the Thing beneath the bed.
Here at the first of three endings you can decide to stop before things get too frightening and you can still pretend that there is nothing too terrifying about the Thing beneath the bed, or else you can More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 11, 2011
Kat rated it: 4 of 5 stars
What appears to be a children's book at first glance is most definitely for adults. You might not believe me when you start perusing this book...but please, for the love of man, don't read this to children! The ending is...well I really can't say anything about the ending now can I? What I can reveal is that technically there are three endings. So, I suppose you could read the book up to the first ending to a child - however, if you have curious children (and aren't most children curious?), More...
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Jul 24, 2010
Malin Engdahl rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the Bed is a picture book, beautifully illustrated by Nate Taylor. It features a sort of fairy tale. It's definitely, absolutely NOT for kids. Unless those kids are slightly older and fond of darker stories. I saw this book described as Calvin and Hobbes meets Coraline, and that's a pretty good take on it.
The Princess lives in her marzipan castle with her best friend, the stuffed bear Mr. Whiffle. They have lots of fun and e More...
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Jul 06, 2010
Ria rated it: 5 of 5 stars
From the mind of the author who brought us The Name of the Wind, comes a different sort of fairytale. Very different. The sort of different that only Patrick Rothfuss can do. And while the story is cute, chilling, heart-warming, and ultimately disturbing, I think most praise has to go to Nate Taylor for his drawings. If you look closely, you will see little details that reveal just how strange a little girl the Princess is.

If you want something a little whimsical, something dark, som More...
0 comments like
May 07, 2011
Manrix rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Cute, dark, funny and shocking. I don't remember the picture books I read as a kid, but this one is undoubtedly better than any of them. Also, it's not for kids. Seriously.

Not only are the pictures super cute, the entire set-up of the story and the language come across as if it's all meant for children, but the further along in the story you get, the more you realise you are mistaken.

I loved the second and third ending, whereas the first would have been a good place to s More...
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May 15, 2011
Stephanie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I just read this book yesterday with my significant other, who introduced me to the wonderful and twisted mind of Patrick Rothfuss through The Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear. Having been converted into a huge fan, I decided to look up what else Rothfuss had written, because chances are that it was equally as good.

Now, I'm a big fan of the cute and creepy. My favorite type of book is dark comedy/dark humor, and The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle fit the bill pretty More...
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Jan 23, 2012
Doreen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Jan 12th, 2012

Christmas gift from Eric. Review to follow, after I'm certain he's gotten my thoughts on it by post.

Jan 24th, 2012

What an incredibly lovely book. Visually, the line drawings are the perfect complement to the clever, curious tale of a princess and her favored companion, a stalwart teddy bear who sticks with her through thick and thin. Patrick Rothfuss claims that this is not a book for children, but I know that I, as a bloodthirsty little girl, would ha More...
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Aug 08, 2011
Jaime rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is one seriously f@cked up book. And I liked it. When the author and publisher both tell you a book is "not for children," and it arrives looking suspiciously like "Where the Wild Things Are" with full page illustrations and short sentences, you doubt the warning. I mean, look at the cover! After reading the story, I know better. There is a very good reason this little Princess probably lives alone in that castle.

An inventive creation that I'm glad I bought jus More...
0 comments like
Aug 19, 2010
Nnedi rated it: 5 of 5 stars
My daughter had the privilege of being one of the first people Pat read this to and she LOVED his reading of it. My daughter is 7 (she was 6 when he read it to her). She loves this book. Reads it over and over. Finds it hilarious. Mind you, my daughter loves animals. But she is also aware of the cycle of life and is not horrified when one animal eats the other (despite the fact that I, her mother, am a vegetarian). My point is that some kids will be horrified by this book, certainly. And some wi More...
0 comments like (2 people liked it)
Jul 28, 2010
Laura rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I had pre-ordered the book, and it came with the promised "This Shit is Not for Kids. Seriously." sticker to place on the front cover. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to put the sticker anywhere; the cover art is delightful and balanced, and I felt the sticker might spoil it.

Then I finished the book, and I applied the sticker.

I'd heard the first two thirds of the book before, read by Rothfuss, and I had an idea of what to expect. The ending doesn't disappo More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Apr 25, 2011
John added it
Well, despite all the protestations to the contrary and efforts to position this as a bit of horror for adults it is a children's book and I don't see why it would have taken more than an hour to write either. Yeah, it's a little macabre at the end, but it's really just a slightly extended joke---and nothing that's going to trouble anyone's sleep. I am a big fan of Rothfuss's fantasies, but here the artist definitely worked harder than the author. No stars.

Premise: A princess lives alo More...
0 comments like
Aug 04, 2010
logankstewart rated it: 4 of 5 stars
So long ago I don't remember when I first heard about Patrick Rothfuss' not-for-children children's book. What began as a bedtime story he told his girlfriend made its way to publication through Subterranean Press. I put my copy on reserve months ahead of time and, eventually, the book arrived at my house.

At a cursory glance, The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle seems like any other children's book. The cover has a cute little girl and her stuffed teddy bear playing in a More...
5 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jan 12, 2011
F.S. rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Wasn't fond of this book at all. I'm a big fan of Rothfuss' first fantasy book and am looking forward to the second. But this one didn't resonate. I get that this book isn't really for children, but even so, it's a children's book for adults, if that makes sense - and those kinds of books still need to be magical. Every word counts since there are so few of them. Wasn't fond of the word choice, wasn't fond of the illustrative style, wasn't fond of the story, didn't find any of the three endings More...
0 comments like
Oct 27, 2010
Steve rated it: 4 of 5 stars
As the optional gold sticker that you can get with the book says: "This shit is definitely not for kids."

It is a delightful little romp through the twisted mind of Patrick Rothfuss.

The illustration really makes the tale, and is matched against the text with precision. I nearly cried with laughter once or twice at the scene portrayed behind the otherwise innocuous text.

I'll admit that the first couple endings did not wow me, but the final ending is More...
0 comments like
Aug 15, 2010
Izlinda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I read this book as a bedtime story to my boyfriend on our last night in Orlando, Florida while visiting Disney World. *laughs* I sat up in bed, he was slouched and we used the emergency light on my cell phone as illumination.

It was a delightful read! The twist was a bit foreshadowed, but I love the illustrations and story. The only qualm I really had was the price. I paid more, to get a personalized copy and have part of the price put towards Heifer Foundation, but it was still a l More...
0 comments like
Aug 17, 2011
Campbell rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Limited addition: Signed by Patrick Rothfuss. With an additional note from him: To Campbell, Happy Birthday!

The front if the book shows a sweet cover of a young girl, riding a stick horse, carrying her stuffed Teddy bear along as she runs merrily through the yard of her Martzipan castle. The title is written in classic fairytale font, and it seems just the book to buy your daughter, younger sibling, niece, younger cousin....
Except for the circular golden stamp in the corner, Mr More...
0 comments like
Aug 19, 2010
Matt rated it: 4 of 5 stars
In the tradition of “There's A Monster At The End Of This Book” Patrick Rothfuss and Subterranean Press present a simple tale about a girl, her teddy bear, and the monster under her bed. Don't be fooled by the cover however, as the inside flap will tell you “This is not a childrens book!” “The Adventures Of The Princess And Mr. Whiffle – The Thing Beneath The Bed” will begin by giving you the choice of closing the book with the first ending and feeling cheery but curious, or giving in to your More...
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Jul 27, 2010
DD rated it: 3 of 5 stars
If you liked "Name of the Wind" you've got to get this one! Okay, I'm obviously joking...they are completely different. But I did enjoy this little book.

I suggest proper expectations before forking out the cash:

*Good, fun, very short and somewhat creepy (the last ending) story
*Great pictures
*Unique concept
*Re-readability factor: High

If you have kids (which I do), you've probably spent endless hours reading children's books to them More...
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Sep 05, 2010
Cindy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Don't let the cover fool you. This is NOT a children's picture book. While the size and drawings may make you believe that that is what you are getting yourself into. It isn't at all.

The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle tell a tale of a little princess who lives alone in a castle made of marzipan. Her best friend is her stuffed teddy bear, Mr. Whiffle. These two do everything together and readers get a glimpse of that within the first part of the story.

The uniqu More...
0 comments like
Sep 11, 2010
Justin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
The Princess and her teddy bear, Mr.Whiffle, live in a marzipan castle and spend their days in various childhood adventures such as fighting pirates, squashing stuffed toy rebellions, and hiding from monsters under the bed. Patrick Rothfuss’s simple and cheery writing style and Nate Taylor’s beautifully comic artwork, full of clean lines and plenty of little details to look for, add to the childish atmosphere.

But The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle: The Thing Beneath the B More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jun 28, 2011
Amelia the Strange rated it: 3 of 5 stars
"This is not a children's book." (Inside cover)

The Princess lives in a castle made of Marzipan with Mr. Whiffle, her teddy bare. The two have wonderful adventures together, and the princess' life is perfectly wonderful. Until the lights go out and the Thing from underneath her bed becomes brave enough to creep out...

An adult take on the princess locked in the castle fairytale, The Adventure of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle is for those with a twisted and dark sense o
0 comments like
Apr 04, 2011
Snail in Danger (Sid) rated it: 3 of 5 stars
More like 3.5. Jeez, Patrick Rothfuss, that's not at all creepy! (Granted, it's not like I wasn't warned.) Now that I've gotten that out of my system, this has pictures like a kids' book, and a verbal style like a children's book, but it's not a kids' book. (Unless you have some weird freakin' kids.) This is a creepy old-style fairy tale. Depending on your reading speed, you can blow through it in 5-10 minutes. If you like dark and amusing and bloody, this is for you.
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Dec 20, 2010
Colin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a book that whenever I have friends come over to my place for the first time and they start to browse my bookshelves, I pull this out and give it to them saying "read this, it's short and won't take long." I think the greatest joy can be had just by watching their face as they approach the end of the book. Quite often (just like Ash and I did when we first read it) you get to a certain part where you have to look back at the page just before it because you feel like you must ha More...
1 comment like