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Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess
In this first-ever picture book adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess," Sara Crewe and nineteenth-century London come brilliantly alive under the expert hand of award-winning author and illustrator Barbara McClintock.When kindhearted Sara Crewe arrives at Miss Minchin's boarding school, she seems just like a teal little princess. Then a sudden misfortune turns her life upside down, and Sara is banished to the school's dreary attic and must work for her living. It takes all of Sara's imagination and a little bit of magic to turn her misfortune around and prove she is, at heart, a little princess.
Frances Hodgson Burnett's story of how Sara Crewe survives hardship and finds happiness again was originally published in 1905 and has won the hearts of children the world over. Now Barbara McClintock has captured the very essence of this unforgettable story in her lovingly detailed adaptation,
Frances Hodgson Burnett's story of how Sara Crewe survives hardship and finds happiness again was originally published in 1905 and has won the hearts of children the world over. Now Barbara McClintock has captured the very essence of this unforgettable story in her lovingly detailed adaptation,
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2000
About the author
Barbara McClintock
63 books90 followersBarbara McClintock is the author and illustrator of books for children.
Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.
Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.
The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.
Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.
Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.
Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.
Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.
After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.
She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.
Her books have won 4 New York Times Best Books awards, a New York Times Notable Book citation, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor award, numerous other awards, recommended/best book lists, and starred reviews. Her books have been made into children's videos, a ballet/opera, and a recorded books on tape.
Barbara drew constantly as a child. By the time she was seven, she knew she would be an artist when she grew up. Her older sister recommended she be a childrens' book illustrator, and this proved to be a rare instance when she followed her sister's advice. Barbara also wanted to be a cat when she grew up, and is glad she had art as a back up plan.
The first part of Barbara's growing up was in Clinton, NJ. Her early influences were her photographer father, seamstress/teacher mother, and the cartoon character Top Cat.
Barbara moved to North Dakota when she was 9 with her mother and sister after her parents divorced. She continued to draw through middle and high school, frequently in the margins of her tests and homework.
Barbara attended Jamestown College in North Dakota, where she refined her drawing skills by copying pictures in artbooks she checked out of her college library.
Two weeks after her 20th birthday, Barbara moved to New York City to begin her career on the recommendation of Maurice Sendak, whon she called from North Dakota for advice about how to become a children's book illustrator.
Barbara studied for two months at the Art Student's League in New York City. She continued to copy from art books she checked out of libraries, and sketched paintings and drawings in museums in New York City. Barbara is essentially self-taught as an artist/illustrator.
After illustrating books written by other authors, Barbara began writing as well as producing the artwork for her own books.
She currently lives in rural Connectucut with the illustrator David A. Johnson, their cats Pip and Emma, and David's truly gorgeous rose garden.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 21, 2018
I’m not big on adaptations or abridgements, but this is excellent. I read it to my littles when they were little and now we are reading the full book and the little one is looking at this and reading this one with me separately. The illustrations are appropriate and worthy of the book and the story line isn’t compromised. Well done.
February 27, 2009
A simple version of this story with detailed illustrations that even a three year-old can enjoy and sit through. Rees (6 yrs.) specifically asked me to read this book over and over, and he had no qualms with the fact that the entire story is about little girls. (The illustrations of Miss Minchin are so sour, and it was so enjoyable to give her a voice that matched that he was sucked in from page one.)
The same illustrator as the Adele & Simon series, the pictures are beautiful and so fun to explore. There was one part in the story that choked me up every time we read it, and I had to swallow my emotions and alter my voice a bit so that the kids didn't notice I was having a hard time getting through it.
But overall, a charming retelling of the classic.
The same illustrator as the Adele & Simon series, the pictures are beautiful and so fun to explore. There was one part in the story that choked me up every time we read it, and I had to swallow my emotions and alter my voice a bit so that the kids didn't notice I was having a hard time getting through it.
But overall, a charming retelling of the classic.
August 5, 2010
This story really made an impression on my four-year-old son. I was excited to find this picture book version of the original, as it is one of my favorite books. I'm so happy for the opportunity to share this story with my son a little earlier than I would otherwise be able to.
The text is long, but it is well written and the pictures are engaging, and the book kept my son's attention with no problems. Now he is more aware of issues like hunger and orphans. He keeps telling me, "Mommy, can we stay here where it's warm?" and "Mommy, will you please not die?"
All in all, I'm very pleased that it got him thinking, and maybe now (I can hope!) he will be a bit more grateful for food, shelter, and loving parents.
The text is long, but it is well written and the pictures are engaging, and the book kept my son's attention with no problems. Now he is more aware of issues like hunger and orphans. He keeps telling me, "Mommy, can we stay here where it's warm?" and "Mommy, will you please not die?"
All in all, I'm very pleased that it got him thinking, and maybe now (I can hope!) he will be a bit more grateful for food, shelter, and loving parents.
October 7, 2012
This book never fails to make me sad. Ever. I've read it a couple of times over since I was a kid, and every time it makes me feel like I want to hug Sara a million times over, and shake her (adorable) father for ever putting her under Ms. Minchin's care.
As for Sara, as with most of Frances Hodgson Burnett's characters, she's a wonderfully three-dimensional character, with enough personality to make me want to have been her, when I was younger. I couldn't stop quoting her, I really couldn't. She really was a quaint little princess all throughout everything that happened.
Delightful book. I completely recommend this if you want to have your children get into classics, or if you wanted to enjoy a good story yourself.
As for Sara, as with most of Frances Hodgson Burnett's characters, she's a wonderfully three-dimensional character, with enough personality to make me want to have been her, when I was younger. I couldn't stop quoting her, I really couldn't. She really was a quaint little princess all throughout everything that happened.
Delightful book. I completely recommend this if you want to have your children get into classics, or if you wanted to enjoy a good story yourself.
August 18, 2024
Sara Crewe, the original manifestation queen ✨️
I recently read A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett with my friend Kristen, and I enjoyed it overall.
Given that it was written in 1905, there are some problematic elements to the story now, and some of the language is quite old fashioned. However, it was a good story, and I loved Sara's imagination and the stories she told to herself and her schoolmates.
There are some good messages in the book, that carry forward into the modern day, including that it's important to make the best of a bad situation where you can, and to seek to find the positives. And if that fails, a bit of maladaptive daydreaming helps 🤣
I recently read A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett with my friend Kristen, and I enjoyed it overall.
Given that it was written in 1905, there are some problematic elements to the story now, and some of the language is quite old fashioned. However, it was a good story, and I loved Sara's imagination and the stories she told to herself and her schoolmates.
There are some good messages in the book, that carry forward into the modern day, including that it's important to make the best of a bad situation where you can, and to seek to find the positives. And if that fails, a bit of maladaptive daydreaming helps 🤣
November 8, 2019
Good picture book adaptation of The Little Princess - could get kids excited to read the full book.
February 25, 2021
My daughter loves this version for the illustrations especially.
July 27, 2024
A beautifully illustrated adapted version of the classic.
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July 1, 2025Used this in the 1st and 2nd grade classroom. Excellent abridgment with great illustrations.
Read
December 9, 2014A little Princess is about a rich charming young girl named Sarah who goes to boarding school while her father is in the military. When her father dies, she is left with no money and forced to be a slave in order to live at the school. She befriends a little black girl and they use their imaginations for everything they want. Whether they imagine fine clothes and food or pearls and diamonds, they dream about it. Sarah escapes the boarding school and finds her father who is blind. This wonderful book shows the importance of being kind to others and showing compassion regardless of their social status or skin color. Sarah refuses to let anyone believe she is anything less than a princess even if she is dressed in rags which can be very insightful for girls who struggle with fitting in and being accepted.
Burnett, F. (199). A Little Princess. Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Library.
Burnett, F. (199). A Little Princess. Charlottesville, Va.: University of Virginia Library.
December 15, 2016
This was one of my absolute favourite books as a child - I read and re-read it so many times and could practically recite it upside down and backwards! I have such fond and nostalgic memories of this story and whilst there are aspects of the novel that I think could be problematic to a modern audicnce, I still think the general story is magical and wonderful for children to enjoy. I still have my original copy of this but it's on the verge of falling apart as I read it so many times and used to take it everywhere with me. I'd love a new copy in one of the gorgeous hardback editions, if I were ever to get one I think I would re-read this.
July 20, 2014
This picture book adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess would be a wonderful bedtime tale of goodness prevailing over suffering and cruelty to share with your own little princess. The moral of kindness and compassion is one worth repeating at any given opportunity with children or as a reminder for ourselves.
May 29, 2015
This is a fantasticly, delightfully, magical book. At the beginning of each of Meg Cabot's Princess Diaries books there is a line or two from this book. I was curious to read it and am so glad I did. It is a great book to get lost into. It has definitely made a place for itself on my list of favorites.
April 13, 2010
I really enjoyed the message this book sends about how being a princess means treating everyone with kindness.
Picture Book
Picture Book
February 25, 2011
Love love loved this one. This story was so sweet and had some good values in the book. I want to own this one and would highly suggest it if you haven't read it!
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June 18, 2013A picturebook version of the classic. Lovely version. My girls love it. I love it.
August 10, 2016
Picture version of A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
February 6, 2016
A lovely rendition of the classic story.
Beautiful illustrations per normal for Ms. McClintock.
Beautiful illustrations per normal for Ms. McClintock.
June 13, 2010
Definitally one of my favorite books...
August 28, 2015
Cuuuuuuuuuute <3
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews