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Princess in Training
“Royalty does not karate-chop.” –Madame Gertrude
Princess Viola is great at skateboarding and karate-chopping, but she’s lousy at the royal wave, walk, and waltz. The king and queen are not pleased. What’s a princess to do? Attend the skill-polishing Camp Princess, of course. In the end, it’s a good thing Viola is made of tougher stuff. Who else will save the day when the green dragon comes along? Joe Berger’s zippy illustrations use comic book–style panels and show off ZIP! ZUP! ZOOM! sound effects. This sweet, funny picture book is just the ticket for spunky princess-loving girls who can appreciate a glittery book jacket!
Princess Viola is great at skateboarding and karate-chopping, but she’s lousy at the royal wave, walk, and waltz. The king and queen are not pleased. What’s a princess to do? Attend the skill-polishing Camp Princess, of course. In the end, it’s a good thing Viola is made of tougher stuff. Who else will save the day when the green dragon comes along? Joe Berger’s zippy illustrations use comic book–style panels and show off ZIP! ZUP! ZOOM! sound effects. This sweet, funny picture book is just the ticket for spunky princess-loving girls who can appreciate a glittery book jacket!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2012
4 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Tammi Sauer
48 books135 followersTammi Sauer is the author of Cowboy Camp (Sterling, 2005), Chicken Dance (Sterling, 2009), Mostly Monsterly (Paula Wiseman/S&S, 2010), the forthcoming Princess-in-Training (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), and something that's currently Top Secret.
Tammi and her family live in Oklahoma with one dog, two geckos, and a tank full of random fish.
Tammi and her family live in Oklahoma with one dog, two geckos, and a tank full of random fish.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
September 24, 2012
"Zip! Zup! Zoom!" It's time to celebrate the release of Tammi Sauer's wonderful new book, PRINCESS IN TRAINING, comically illustrated in comic-book style by the wonderful Joe Berger - a PAPER BAG PRINCESS for today's generation.I am very pleased that the good folks at Harcourt sent me a copy of Tammi's new book, since I've been a fan of her work since (before) her very first picture book (COWBOY CAMP) came out back in 2005. Of course, this has tipped you to my disclaimer, which is that I am a BIG FAN of Tammi's work. Still, I think this book is brilliant, and I'd like to think I'd say so even if I weren't someone who watched Tammi put Ranch dressing on her homefries at breakfast once upon a time
Speaking of COWBOY CAMP (were we not?), I couldn't help but notice that PRINCESS IN TRAINING shares some of the same territory, both emotionally and otherwise. Both books feature a kid who goes to some sort of training camp: Avery goes to cowboy camp, whereas Viola Louise Hassenfeffer goes to Camp Princess. Avery doesn't excel at the things at Cowboy Camp, since he's allergic to horses and not quite as coordinated as the other kids. Viola Louise Hassenfeffer is actually GOOD at a lot of stuff, but it's all non-princessy stuff like karate-chopping and swimming and skateboarding. She goes to Camp Princess where she turns out not to do particularly well at the princess skills, like the Royal Wave, the Frills of Fashion, or Dance Lessons.
Avery manages to effectively deal with a bully who shows up at Cowboy Camp, though, and so does Viola Louise Hassenfeffer . . . only the bully she deals with is an actual dragon, and all those non-princessy skills come in handy after all. (I mentioned the parallels to Tammi last week, and she said she didn't notice the similarities until recently!)
The text is wonderful and the illustrations are marvelous as well. My favorite may actually be the page where they're learning the Royal Wave, if only because one of the other princesses is dressed like Princess Leia from Star Wars - white gown, side buns, and all (but sadly, I couldn't find it online to share with you today).
The cover is colorful, as you can see above. I like that the Princess Viola Louise Hassenfeffer is wearing a pink gown (and the glitter behind the title portion of the cover and inside the stars holding Tammi's and Joe's names), but I also like that the orange starburstiness of the cover (and her skateboard) clues you in from the start that this isn't a girly-girl sort of princess - a relief to those little girls ( like Riley) who don't see why they always have to buy "pink stuff".
Well done, Tammi and Joe!
A must-get for anyone with a little girl who likes princesses AND the other stuff - martial arts, skaeboarding and/or swimming & diving included. And I'm pretty sure their brothers won't mind it, either, since it's got so much action.
November 19, 2012
Viola Louise Hassenfeffer was a princess. But unlike most princesses she had a few hobbies that made her a bit different. She liked to karate chop, dive into the moat, and skateboard. The King, Queen, and rest of the kingdom was worried that she did not act like a princess should. So when an invitation to go to Camp Princess to learn how to be a regular princess came, she jumped at the chance to go.
Alas, at Camp Princess she just didn’t seem to fit in. She couldn’t be herself and be a “normal” princess at the same time. When the Royal Bash is crashed by a dragon, it is Princess Viola Louise Hassenfeffer who comes to the rescue by being herself. And then all the other princesses want to learn how to be just like her. And Viola figured out that she can be the “darling of the kingdom” by being herself.
I like this book. A lot. I especially like how even though pink is a major color, and princesses are a major theme, it shows that you don’t have to be all pink, all princess, and all perfect to be the best princesses ever. I like how Viola doesn’t have to have her hair up. She can defend herself and her friends without waiting for a knight. And she can do it all while wearing bracelets and a tiara. I also like how the illustrations give a nod or two to comic book-style panels when princess Viola is especially being herself. After all, nothing says happy action like a few comic-panels. And the nod to other princesses is quite humorous for the adults. (I noticed some Princess Leia buns and a Snow White inspired gown just to name a few.) This is one book that allows the princess lovers to realize that there is often more to being a princess than just the sparkles and the waving. I love it!
Alas, at Camp Princess she just didn’t seem to fit in. She couldn’t be herself and be a “normal” princess at the same time. When the Royal Bash is crashed by a dragon, it is Princess Viola Louise Hassenfeffer who comes to the rescue by being herself. And then all the other princesses want to learn how to be just like her. And Viola figured out that she can be the “darling of the kingdom” by being herself.
I like this book. A lot. I especially like how even though pink is a major color, and princesses are a major theme, it shows that you don’t have to be all pink, all princess, and all perfect to be the best princesses ever. I like how Viola doesn’t have to have her hair up. She can defend herself and her friends without waiting for a knight. And she can do it all while wearing bracelets and a tiara. I also like how the illustrations give a nod or two to comic book-style panels when princess Viola is especially being herself. After all, nothing says happy action like a few comic-panels. And the nod to other princesses is quite humorous for the adults. (I noticed some Princess Leia buns and a Snow White inspired gown just to name a few.) This is one book that allows the princess lovers to realize that there is often more to being a princess than just the sparkles and the waving. I love it!
August 27, 2019
A princess is generally bad at following rules of protocol for her station in life. Instead of working hard to learn her duties (and doing the other things she enjoys on the side! Yay for swimming and skateboarding!) she abandons self discipline and “saves the day” by “being herself”. In The end, everyone just abandons their studies and does whatever SHE wanted to do - never mind that it’s unlikely that ALL the girls enjoy swimming and skateboarding, it’s all about what the princess likes doing, her desires is the only TRUE way to be yourself. It paints a pretty lame view of self for young girls: you can’t learn to be many things, you are just what you are naturally good at so stick with that; it’s all about you, so don’t do anything that anyone else might like for you, especially your stupid parents who are suppressing your true self by having expectations of your studies and behavior; no one understand you (you are just THAT unique) until you do something huge and unlikely, then everyone will copy you and life will be grand, until then life will be miserable doing what you are “supposed” to do (all expectations are rubbish). I’d like my daughters to have a much less self centered view of themselves and other people than what I can give them from this book.
April 19, 2018
Adventure:
The book, “Princess in Training,” is a great book full of the silly adventure Viola goes through at princess camp. While she struggles to become a princess, her talents come in handy when she slays the dragon. She becomes a hero that all of the other princesses admire. I think that this book would work best in a third grade classroom. It is another book that is a light read but engaging and exciting for students. It would work really well in a classroom doing a compare and contrast activity comparing Princess Viola to the other Princesses at camp. It would also be a good instructional tool to lead into conversations about the different stages of plot. The book also contains a lot of onomatopoeia that could be a great teaching point. This book was a WOW book for me because it was a really fun read and I could see it bringing a lot of laughter and smiles to the classroom. The use of tone and different accent’s could also be used throughout the book during a read aloud. Overall, I thought it was a great book that taught that it is okay to be different from the crowd and that every single person adds value to the world.
The book, “Princess in Training,” is a great book full of the silly adventure Viola goes through at princess camp. While she struggles to become a princess, her talents come in handy when she slays the dragon. She becomes a hero that all of the other princesses admire. I think that this book would work best in a third grade classroom. It is another book that is a light read but engaging and exciting for students. It would work really well in a classroom doing a compare and contrast activity comparing Princess Viola to the other Princesses at camp. It would also be a good instructional tool to lead into conversations about the different stages of plot. The book also contains a lot of onomatopoeia that could be a great teaching point. This book was a WOW book for me because it was a really fun read and I could see it bringing a lot of laughter and smiles to the classroom. The use of tone and different accent’s could also be used throughout the book during a read aloud. Overall, I thought it was a great book that taught that it is okay to be different from the crowd and that every single person adds value to the world.
January 19, 2013
This non-traditional princess likes to skateboard and karate-chop things, which, her mother informs her, are not activities proper to a princess. When the princess learns of a princess training workshop, she decides to sign up, because she really does want to get better at proper princess skills. She really tries, but it's probably silly to think she'll improve significantly in only one day (she doesn't). But, when a dragon attacks them all, guess who saves the day? Guess those lessons in self-defense weren't such a bad idea after all!
Although her non-princessy skillset seems a bit haphazard (whatever) this is still pretty amusing. It's nice that no one's forcing this particular princess to be someone she's not - self-improvement is her idea. And naturally, everyone appreciates these unusual qualities/hobbies/skills much more after she saves the day. Win-win!
Although her non-princessy skillset seems a bit haphazard (whatever) this is still pretty amusing. It's nice that no one's forcing this particular princess to be someone she's not - self-improvement is her idea. And naturally, everyone appreciates these unusual qualities/hobbies/skills much more after she saves the day. Win-win!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2012
I have mentioned how much I don't usually like pink princess books, right? This one . . . manages to save itself from my pile of pink princess despair. It's not a really new story: the unprincess like princess goes to a school to try and learn how to be better at her role. In the end, however, it's her tough unprincesslike skills that save everyone from a random dragon.
I wouldn't rate it four stars normally for such a story . . . but the art is just endearing. And when one the princesses in training is a shoe in for Princess Leia (cinnamon bun hair and all) I just had to like it that much better. Frankly, the art outshines the storyline, but it's not a bad message for little girls to hear again.
I wouldn't rate it four stars normally for such a story . . . but the art is just endearing. And when one the princesses in training is a shoe in for Princess Leia (cinnamon bun hair and all) I just had to like it that much better. Frankly, the art outshines the storyline, but it's not a bad message for little girls to hear again.
October 4, 2012
Joe Berger has I am pretty sure attained my list of Can Do No Wrong illustrators. Oddly, Tammi Sauer has been paired up with a lot of the people on that list! Some editor somewhere LOVES Tammi Sauer. Quite RIGHTLY.
August 9, 2015
A great title to lure away Disney princess-obsessed little girls (or boys)
September 9, 2017
Princess Viola Louise Hassonfeffer was very good at karate chopping and skateboarding, but she had a hard time being proper like a princess. When she was given the opportunity to attend Camp Princess she was thrilled that she'd learn to be the darling of her kingdom.
Everything she tried to do she did her own way which was not the proper way. She was a failure at Camp Princess - until a big green dragon showed up. All the princesses panicked, except for Viola. She knew what to do.
This is a cleverly-written story that will amuse children. Illustrations are funny and add much to the story.
Everything she tried to do she did her own way which was not the proper way. She was a failure at Camp Princess - until a big green dragon showed up. All the princesses panicked, except for Viola. She knew what to do.
This is a cleverly-written story that will amuse children. Illustrations are funny and add much to the story.
April 13, 2025
What happens when a real-live (fictional) princess has to go to a kind of finishing school?
Princess Viola is a tomboy. She does daring leaps on her skateboard. She doesn't do convincing royal waves, nor regal walking.
Accordingly, her parents send her to attend Camp Princess. She feels like such a failure . . . at least, until a scary green dragon comes to the kingdom.
Dp you think that Princess Viola will run away from that dragon, sobbing or giggling? No chance.
The ending of this story is delightful. Verging on feminist. (To me, at least. An avowed feminist.)
RATING THIS BOOK
It is my pleasure to give "Princess in Training" FIVE STARS.
Princess Viola is a tomboy. She does daring leaps on her skateboard. She doesn't do convincing royal waves, nor regal walking.
Accordingly, her parents send her to attend Camp Princess. She feels like such a failure . . . at least, until a scary green dragon comes to the kingdom.
Dp you think that Princess Viola will run away from that dragon, sobbing or giggling? No chance.
The ending of this story is delightful. Verging on feminist. (To me, at least. An avowed feminist.)
RATING THIS BOOK
It is my pleasure to give "Princess in Training" FIVE STARS.
October 22, 2020
Viola Louise Hassenfeffer is a princess, but she doesn't act like one. Instead of a royal wave, she likes to karate chop. Instead of waltzing she likes to zoom on a skateboard. She jumps at a chance to attend "princess camp" to try to make her parents happy and become the darling of the kingdom. But her ways are frowned on. That is until she is able to save the day using her unique talents.
A good gender bending book, but also rather blah.
A good gender bending book, but also rather blah.
May 17, 2017
A princess takes "princess" classes...but she finds that it is more useful to her to do her "usual" stuff.
Personal opinion, this book SERIOUSLY needs a different title, especially paired with that cover art.
Personal opinion, this book SERIOUSLY needs a different title, especially paired with that cover art.
March 3, 2018
A picture book featuring a karate chopping, moat diving, skateboarding princess who is invited to go to Camp Princess to learn how to wave, walk, and waltz like a princess in preparation for the Royal Bash. Viola Louise Hassenfeffer is no ordinary princess.
October 17, 2018
The kids loved this one. They were giggling and laughing all the way through.
Viola is a lovable character who loves karate and skateboarding, but she wishes she could be more princess-like in order to become the darling of her kingdom.
Viola is a lovable character who loves karate and skateboarding, but she wishes she could be more princess-like in order to become the darling of her kingdom.
July 14, 2019
Good lesson, good story in general. Doesn't beat you over the head with its message which is appreciated. Would recommend for anyone who wants to be fit in but feels like they can't.
Would pair well with a gin and tonic and The Worst Princess.
Would pair well with a gin and tonic and The Worst Princess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2021
Cute, quick picture book read about a princess who doesn't fit the usual mold. My 5 year old son picked it out on his own at the library (a dragon on the back cover and a skateboard on the front sold him), and he has enjoyed it at least twice--once with me and once with my husband.
August 23, 2017
Cute story with adorable illustrations. Favourite quote: "HELP! ... SOMEONE CALL KNIGHT-1-1!" :)
August 28, 2017
I absolutely loved this book about a princess who just doesn't seem to fit in with the other princess even though she tries. Is being the same always best? A little long for toddlers but worth it.
March 26, 2018
Girl power. Love the message behind this book. March to the beat of your own drum. Princesses don't necessarily have to be prim and proper. Great way to showcase how to be the best you can.
May 13, 2018
This book has such a cool cover and so much potential, but she just can't be proper and ends up saving them all from a dragon at the end? I wanted more.
February 1, 2021
As is often the case, the subtleties of the pictures take the cake. Each of the princesses is unique and fun.
May 15, 2022
Love the concept of being true to who you are and kicking butt in the process.
June 13, 2022
Although I loved the ending of the book, I feel that so much of the book was about girls conforming to expectations. So it isn't one I would recommend.
September 20, 2022
It was cute enough, but not amazing. Wouldn't purchase.
January 17, 2017
Solid anti-princess tale with good illustrations.
February 17, 2017
I love this book. There's such a great message of powerful women. #AWESOME and keep your eyes peeled for a certain princess.
February 13, 2016
I just love it when princesses get out of their standard stuff and turn out to be kick-ass heroines.
Like for instance, Viola in this book. She is a princess, but she loves karate, she love skateboarding, she loves jumping in the moat to just swim when it is warm. All qualities that a princess shouldn't have (according to her parents and various other people). But those qualities are what made me want to read the book. A skateboarding, karate-chopping, moat-jumping princess? Yes, please!
Viola was a great girl, and I loved that she wasn't forced to attend that camp for princesses, instead she sought to improve herself. In the hopes that she will become a princess that people will love. I was worried that she might be forced, but it seems we have a girl who will do anything to become better!
I really liked reading about her training and about what happened there. I won't spoil anything, but lets just say I really loved it. Turns out the skills of skateboarding, water-jumping and karate-chopping are truly necessary skills that every princess should have.
The illustrations are pretty fun, it feels like we are reading a comic book at times, instead of a picture book. There are sound effects when action happens and the art is put into panels during those times. The other times it just reads as a picture book, and a great one at that. The art is really pretty and it totally fits with this skateboarding princess.
All in all, I would really recommend this picture book to everyone. Young and old will love it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Like for instance, Viola in this book. She is a princess, but she loves karate, she love skateboarding, she loves jumping in the moat to just swim when it is warm. All qualities that a princess shouldn't have (according to her parents and various other people). But those qualities are what made me want to read the book. A skateboarding, karate-chopping, moat-jumping princess? Yes, please!
Viola was a great girl, and I loved that she wasn't forced to attend that camp for princesses, instead she sought to improve herself. In the hopes that she will become a princess that people will love. I was worried that she might be forced, but it seems we have a girl who will do anything to become better!
I really liked reading about her training and about what happened there. I won't spoil anything, but lets just say I really loved it. Turns out the skills of skateboarding, water-jumping and karate-chopping are truly necessary skills that every princess should have.
The illustrations are pretty fun, it feels like we are reading a comic book at times, instead of a picture book. There are sound effects when action happens and the art is put into panels during those times. The other times it just reads as a picture book, and a great one at that. The art is really pretty and it totally fits with this skateboarding princess.
All in all, I would really recommend this picture book to everyone. Young and old will love it.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 13, 2017
megan winter reading 2017, children's book, picture book, princess, humor, tomboys, individuality, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2025
2023 review:
I almost didn't request this book when I was preparing for my Royal Storytime, because I thought it looked like one of those annoying early 2010s Girl Power books that I always disdained. Fortunately, I decided to give it a chance, and it's great! The plot is well-paced, the main character is endearing, and the ending is fun.
There's definitely a message here, teaching that it's okay to be unconventional and not fit in. The book also shows that people who lack one skill set can save the day with another. However, the book isn't preachy or overbearing at all, and it's really fun. I liked the colorful illustrations, the comic book style sound effects, and the dramatic potential for reading this aloud.
I read this for one of the storytimes I did, and the kids and parents seemed to all enjoy it. Everybody was engaged, people occasionally laughed, and one little boy started doing karate chops and saying "HI-YAH!" with the princess, which was adorable. I'm so glad I didn't judge this book by its cover, gave it a chance, and got to share it with everyone.
I almost didn't request this book when I was preparing for my Royal Storytime, because I thought it looked like one of those annoying early 2010s Girl Power books that I always disdained. Fortunately, I decided to give it a chance, and it's great! The plot is well-paced, the main character is endearing, and the ending is fun.
There's definitely a message here, teaching that it's okay to be unconventional and not fit in. The book also shows that people who lack one skill set can save the day with another. However, the book isn't preachy or overbearing at all, and it's really fun. I liked the colorful illustrations, the comic book style sound effects, and the dramatic potential for reading this aloud.
I read this for one of the storytimes I did, and the kids and parents seemed to all enjoy it. Everybody was engaged, people occasionally laughed, and one little boy started doing karate chops and saying "HI-YAH!" with the princess, which was adorable. I'm so glad I didn't judge this book by its cover, gave it a chance, and got to share it with everyone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews