A Most Reluctant Princess

by Jean M. Cogdell

How can she be a princess if her daddy's not a king? What will she be when she grows up?

Written in simple rhyme, this story is filled with sweet illustrations of a "little princess" with a big imagination and a lot of questions.

Young children everywhere will enjoy discovering a world of possibilities with one "little princess."

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 2, 2019

About the author

Jean M. Cogdell has written three children's books which are available at Amazon.com. Additional short stories and essays were featured in Fiction Southeast, The J.J. Outre Review- ELJ Publications- Scissors & Spackle Issue 13, Once Upon A Time Anthology, What The Dickens Magazine, and Flash Fiction World Anthology. Magazine publications include YAREAH Magazine, Squawk Back Magazine, and Angie’s Diary Online Writing Magazine. Ms. Cogdell currently resides in TX and is a member of Texas Association of Authors.

Reviews

[Judith Barrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with my six year old granddaughter who is sitting with me to make sure I write what she says (her words.)

Okay, here goes. Seren enjoyed this book very much. She likes the pictures (illustrations) and she loves the story. She likes the idea that she can be anything she wants to be when she is bigger. (which is what her mummy says to her) . And she runs to the door when Daddy (or Mummy, she adds) comes home from work.

My thoughts (she's gone now, satisfied I've written the right words):

I too loved the illustrations,(which are excellent and tell a story in themselves) and I liked the premise of this picture story book, though, in this format, obviously written for an American readership. (would be an idea to alter a few words for a UK readership and publish in the UK? - just a thought)

Picture story books are very close to poetry in many ways. One of the most important is that they both are intended to be read aloud. So fluency is essential. If the format is meant to be regular in rhythm, then each line must have the same amount of syllables. If not then the tendency is to stumble over the lines, which spoils the flow. In A Most Reluctant Princess, not every verse/ page works. Most do, but one or two don't (I'm thinking of the second "bakery" page here in particular - and the second "Doctor" page)

And, occasionally the rhyming isn't quite there.

Turning the pages to see what happens next seems to be important for children in picture story books. So , often there are connecting words " And/But /So."Or often those three little dots - the ellipses. Not being any in A Most Reluctant Princess,I felt the story to be a little disjointed.

But these last few paragraphs are obviously an adult point of view. And, to be fair, I should say I teach creative writing and picture story books are an included genre.

So, as a last word, I will leave it to the expert, who has just bounced back into the room. ' A Most Reluctant Princess is a lovely story with lovely pictures. And will you make me a crown, Nanna?'

[Jena Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have any little kids around now who could help me read this book, but I have read stories to plenty of kids in my past, and I know that children will have fun with this book. There are many appealing parts to this darling book. First, kids will like the title- the word ‘reluctant’ will be a fun grownup sounding word for them to learn. The rhymes are charming and kids will like the repetition of “What will be will be.” The pictures are simple, but easy for kids to understand and the little princess looks adorable. Young children will be eager to see what the little princess decides to be next. It is a good book for parents to use to encourage thinking and reasoning skills with their kids, such as by asking “What would you like to be. Would you like to be a baker?” And it’s nice that it encourages kids to be close to their Mom and Dad. I can see that this book will be read again and again. I received copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Wendy Unsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super little story for young children about what they might like to 'be' when they grow up. Knowing that she can't really be a princess there are lots of other choices and here we have them in rhyme, page by page, astronaut, teacher, doctor, baker artist and lots more.

Each page is dedicated to a different 'occupation' with our Reluctant Princess dressed appropriately for each job. Great fun; my granddaughter who is beginning to read enjoyed guessing the roles from the illustrations or sounding out the words.

As usual, I bought this book for my Kindle Paperwhite and so illustrations have to be clear. They are - and also quite adorable.

One point -both illustrations and text did not 'centre' on my kindle but were rather ' squashed' to the top left of the page which was a shame. Other reviewers haven't mentioned this so maybe it's just my device.

All in all a very sweet little book that I am sure young children will love.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story about a young girl who loves how Daddy calls her his princess even as she understands that there's a lot about that title that doesn't fit her. Written in rhyme and richly illustrated, Cogdell takes readers through the thrilling emotion of connecting with Daddy on one level even as she thinks through the reasons she really doesn't want to be a princess--a crown is hard to wear, she'd be alone on the throne (without the Daddy she loves), and more--and then muses over what other careers might better fit her interests (everything from a baker to President).

The artwork is gorgeous, vibrant and enticing. The rhymes are simple and sweet. Children will not be able to resist this book. Hearty congratulations to Jean on her second children's book!

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a simple, pleasing story in rhyme about a small girl, whose father calls her his little princess which is illustrated with cute drawings of a no-nonsense child. Quite logically, as children often are, she believes that she can’t be a princess because Daddy isn’t a king, so what can she be? She thinks of a variety of professions to which her mother, lovingly comments, “Don’t worry. What will be, will be.” I was little unsure of the rhythm and vocabulary in some verses, such as “Don’t speak without permission,” but I loved the moral of the story, that she shouldn’t grow up too quickly while she can enjoy being Daddy’s little princess.

[Chris The Story Reading Ape · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun picture book to help little girls realise that they can become ANYTHING they want to be.
See my review also at:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/...

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01F...