想要好多好多禮物的公主

by Caryl Hart, Sarah Warburton (Illustrator)

　　一個輕鬆幽默的故事，
　　獻給想要好多好多禮物的公主和王子……
　　
　　你生日的時候想要好多好多禮物嗎？
　　如果各式各樣的禮物，從客廳堆到臥室再塞爆遊戲間，
　　你想過會發生什麼事嗎？
　　住在王宮中的嬌滴滴公主，她生日這天要有最熱鬧盛大的慶祝，
　　全國上下都在準備獻上最漂亮、最美味、最好玩的禮物……
　　你絕對遇不到比露比公主更驕縱的公主，
　　你不會相信她生日時收到了多少禮物。
　　但即使是公主，也可能收到太多禮物……
　　
　　露比公主的生日快到了，國王一聲令下，王宮中所有的男僕女僕個個忙翻天，全國上下都在為這場盛大的生日派對做準備。
　　
　　公主說：「我要一個特大號樹屋，還要一隻會說話的鸚鵡。
　　我要一雙走路時會發光的花俏鞋子。
　　我每天都要戴新的皇冠去上學。
　　還要小馬，還要溜冰鞋，
　　還有很多很多很多的珠寶。
　　不然，我就躺在王宮的地板上一直一直尖叫……」
　　
　　為了寶貝公主，國王拿出皇家金幣，要買來最好的東西送給女兒，讓她的大日子快樂非凡！就這樣，王宮的樓梯從上到下堆成了高高的一座禮物山。
　　
　　「啊！」傳來可怕的爆裂聲……
　　王宮快垮了！國王有麻煩了！究竟發生了什麼事？
　　
　　露比公主現在什麼都不要，只想再見爸爸一面就好……
　　誰來幫忙救救爸爸……
　　
　　孩子對於玩具、禮物總是不嫌多，且愈是新奇有趣愈好。父母為了討孩子歡心，往往不自覺就給了好多好多。透過這個趣味的故事，讓孩子在閱讀中去發現最重要的東西是什麼？擁有過最棒的東西是什麼？而他們最在乎、最需要、最怕失去的又是什麼？
　　
本書特色
　　
　　1.孩子還不明白什麼是恰到好處？什麼又是過度奢侈？藉由這個故事，讓孩子自己思考他的玩具、禮物、零食……是不是太多了？親子共讀，跟孩子聊聊事物的價值和意義。
　　
　　2.少子化的時代，父母常常不知不覺就太過寵愛孩子，輕鬆閱讀故事之餘，進一步深思自己的心態和作法，找到更恰當的教養方式。
　　
　　3.畫風甜美可愛，藏著許多有趣的小細節，孩子會搶著看，在故事中隱隱投射自己，產生各式各樣的聯想。　

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Princesses, Family

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Caryl Hart is an award-winning children’s author who writes picture books and young fiction.

She lives in Sheffield, England with her family and loves running, walking, cafes and snuggling. Her favourite place is the library because it's warm and full of books.

Caryl runs creative literacy workshops in schools, libraries and for festivals. Find out more on her website: www.carylhart.com

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wish the king father had a little more backbone.

[Zarmeen Lakhani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hack: Read a few children's books and you have successfully completed your yearly goodreads challenge :)

[Valerie Crump · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate this book. Her dad just goes along with whatever she wants. Girl, no. Lol

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Ruby's birthday is coming. She has a long list of demands for gifts. Her father the king is going to make sure that Princess Ruby receives everything she wants. Then her birthday finally arrives and no gift is good enough for what she wants. Her father has given her so many presents that the house begins to crumble with a terrible outcome. Amongst the rubble, Ruby realizes that with all of the presents she only wants one thing... her dad.

This is a wonderful story about a bratty, spoiled girl realizing what's really important. No gifts will ever be enough when tragedy strikes and your family is in danger.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Princesses may line up for this one based on the cover, but may be disappointed in the excessive greed of the princess.
Rhyming text comfortably paced. Original idea that too many presents make the house crash (where is the queen?) and bury the father king, resulting in the princess realizing her greed created a big problem.
Full color illustrations, including the end papers, support plenty of pink.
Would be great to read before certain holidays to discuss needs vs wants, and being grateful.

[Mya Motley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Princess and the Presents" is a story about a princess named Ruby who loves getting lots and lots of presents. On her birthday, her many presents led to a life-changing event that switched her mentality. Through her adventures, Ruby learns that true happiness comes from family and gratitude, not just presents. I can relate to this story because as an only child, I was once Princess Ruby and only cared about presents. As I grew, I realized my family wasn't only gift givers but people I should cherish and love more than presents. This is a great story for classrooms because it teaches about gratitude, kindness, thankfulness and family in a fun and engaging way. It's easy to read and understand, making it enjoyable for students while also imparting important life lessons.

[Portable · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story of a bratty princess who takes it for granted that she will always get what she wants, and what happens when she learns the true value of things, is a popular one at school. the colour scheme and detailed illustrations allow lots of room for discussion, and it's a great one for talking about IB concepts of reflection and positivity. Its energetic rhyming structure makes it a lot of fun to read aloud.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading "The Princess and the Presents"! You discovered something really important - that being kind and sharing with others makes us happier than having lots of fancy things. The princess learned that helping people and making friends is better than getting presents. You can use this by sharing your toys with friends and helping others when they need it. You're becoming such a thoughtful reader, sweetheart!

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I was a teenager, my mom, my three-year-old sister, and I went on an excruciating road trip with my mom's coworker and her three-year-old daughter, Alexis. We drove from western Washington to Edmonton, Alberta--about a 15 hour drive. I will never forget Alexis. She dressed herself every day; she only wore ruffled princess dresses. She packed all of her belongings for the trip herself in three giant black trash bags. Digging through the bags, one's hands encountered toys, toys, random articles of clothing (including ruffled princess dresses), toys, and toys. The entire trip consisted of Alexis whining, her mother trying to placate her with items dug from the depths of the bags, Alexis throwing tantrums, and one miraculous (hilarious) moment when my mom became enraged and pulled the minivan over to lecture Alexis and her mother. Alexis was exactly like Ruby in The Princess and the Presents, excepting one point. After being put in her place by my very Southern mother, Alexis continued to act in the same manner she always had. Because she was a kid. And she needed good role models. And attention, not things, to show her that she was loved. Which finally brings me to my point about this particular book. After showing everyone what a pint-sized tyrant she is for the first half of the book, Ruby magically grows up, shucks her selfish ways, and becomes regal. All at once. Within the span of less than a page. I just don't buy it. I know it's a picture book, but ARGH!

Sarah Warburton's illustrations are a delight. I'm sure all the princess fans out there in little-girl-land will adore this book. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Princess Ruby's birthday approaches, her father and their servants. work hard to fulfill her every wish. But the princess is spoiled rotten and selfish beyond belief. She even pitches tantrums when she doesn't get her way or doesn't receive everything she wanted. Her obliging father brings forth even more gifts, causing the palace to topple and trap the poor man. As rescuers work desperately to save him, Ruby realizes that all the presents in the world can't substitute for a father's love. She forsakes her selfish ways and learns to live simply. The text's message is not surprising although it does provide an important lesson about the things that should matter to us. The mixed media illustrations are lively, filled with lots of pink and interesting detail, and show Princess Ruby at her worst as she clamors for more, more, more at first. The inclusion of servants and her pet dog as well other shoppers in the images adds another layer to the book.

[Jozsef Barna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from my friend’s daughter as she has a good range of picture books. This is a rhyming story of an overly spoiled princess who gets a little too much for her birthday. She is terrible to everyone and just couldn’t have enough presents until the moment she nearly loses what she most treasures, her daddy. After that she appreciates more the company of her loved one. The book also demonstrates an unconventional family unit, the single dad with one child, could be a starting point for discussion about diversity.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few pages of this book have you cringing at the antics of this princess, but by the end, she has amended her ways and she does grow on you. This is a good book to read to kids who might have some trouble seeing what is really important in the world.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Move over Varuca Salt, here comes Princess Ruby. Her birthday is on the horizon and she is demanding the best presents ever. Her father, the King, lovingly obliges. But when the amount of presents causes the house to collapse, Ruby realizes what is really the most important present in her life.

[AbsentLibrarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great Idea and love the illustrations. The switch in attitude was to sharp for me and took me out of the story. However, I really liked the ending and the message of the book. Again, the illustrations were very well done.

[Selena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful story especially in this world of entitled children that we live in. I hope all children don't have to almost lose a parent to learn this lesson.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A greedy little princess learns to appreciate what really matters -- her kind and generous father.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book, that is really recommended.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

For princesses and their dads.

[Audrey K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to granddaughter Kelsey today...she checked it out from her library.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures were cute but the story..... that little girl was horrid even though at the end it turned out better. BLAHHHHH

[Jvermeersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk. Kleurrijke tekeningen waar veel in te ontdekken valt. Vloeiende tekst in aantrekkelijk rijm, ideaal om voor te lezen. Herkenbare situaties. En een goede twist.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun picture and nice rhyming story. A princess who learns what's more important on her birthday.