The Princess and the Dragon

by Audrey Wood

When a princess who behaves like a dragon meets a dragon who behaves like a princess, who knows what will happen! This is suitable for discussion of preconceptions and gender roles.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy, Dragons, Juvenile

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1981

About the author

Audrey Wood studied art and drama at the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She has owned an operated a book and import store, taught chldren's drama and art, and traveled throughout Mexico and Guatemala studying Indian folk art. She now lives in Hawaii with her talented family (husband Don and son Bruce, who have both collaborated with Audrey by illustrating some of her books).

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of torn over this one. I absolutely loved this tale of a rough and tumble princess, and a dainty dragon, but HATED the amateurish illustrations. I'd love for the book to someday be reissued with more attractive artwork.

[Sarah Washburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite children's books ever. I loved this when I was little. Everyone I have introduced it to loves it too.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn by this book. To some extent I love that it breaks expectations and shows that different behavior is acceptable in different situations.

On the other hand, I'm bothered by the book equating being tom-boyish with misbehavior and being girly with good behavior. Even worse, the plot can be boiled down to: A girl is misbehaving horribly. She runs away and is replaced. Everyone is much happier and better off.

Overall I can see why people like the book, but the plot and illustration styles aren't necessarily for me.

[Veridiana Ferreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Procurando Firme vibes. Amei!

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

There ole switchero and subverting of expectations

[Cori Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun! Not the ending I was expecting. :)

[Carly Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Jacque's Award

Level: Early transitional

Curricular Use: Independent or shared Reading

Topic: Untraditional fairy tale, untraditional princess and dragon

Social: no being happy with your life and wanting someone else's, trading lives with someone else, not wanting to be a "girly girl", not wanting to be the villian

Literary Elements: Humor (no one notices when the dragon and the princess trade places even though the dragon still looks like a dragon), irony (the princess acts like a princess and the dragon acts like a princess)

Strong Connection between the pictures and the text

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay kids story about a princess who is very rude, and a dragon who is very poised and proper. When the dragon refuses to kidnap the princess, they instead decide to switch places, with the dragon playing the part of the princess, and the princess living wild in a cave.
Obviously no-one even notices the switch, they are just glad that their princess is suddenly so well behaved.
The story is told in bold writing, but then the things that the characters say are written in bubbles within the pictures like a comic book.
Overall; an okay story, but nothing special.

[Sue Pak · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a princess who is very rude and mean, and a dragon who is very poised and sweet. They switch places and makes the world happier.


You can talk about how stereotypes are not correct. Also touch on children who misbehave. I thought this book was kind of funny, however I didn't like how the rude princess was happy in the end after they switched places. I would rather have her learn her lesson by being nicer.

[현순 최 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time there was a princess who acts like an animal. She was impolite to everyone. whereas a dragon which lives in a cave on high mountain was very polite and sweet. The princess wanted to change her position with the dragon. After that, the dragon received lots of love from all people, but the princess got to change like a dragon. Recently there are lots of children who not follow their parent's word. Chilren can learn the courtesy and polite manner from this book.

[Inna Nako · Rating 4 out of 5]

-a book that puts a twist on the thought of a princess and a dragon
-the true princess acts like a dragon, and the dragon acts like a princess, so they switch places
-they enjoy their switch because earlier they were always looked upon with stereotypes
-shows another perspective of the dragon and princess

[Sarah Quenon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a child. It’s about a Princess and a Dragon that switch places because the princess doesn’t want to live like a princess and the dragon doesn’t want to live like a dragon. As a child who rebelled against “manners” and hair brushing I strongly identified with the princess who went to live in the dragon cave.

[John Foakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a princess who wants to be a dragon, and a dragon who wants to be a princess.

Although the book is good at highlighting that it's ok to be something different to what we are expected to be, I feel like the author could have covered that aspect a bit more in the story.

All in all the book is enjoyable and a good read.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 Stars Oh what a fun and silly book! The Princesses likes to be a messy life and the dragon wants to have pomp and circumstances...they switch places and oh the fun they have!
Fun pictures fun stories! Fun!!