What do you think?
Rate this book
Cea mai rea prințesă
A fost odata ca niciodata o printesa care isi astepta printul. Si printul a venit, a dus-o la castel, i-a daruit rochii, conduri si dantele. Ei, pana aici seamana cu orice basm. Dar printesa Suzi viata asta nu seamana nici un pic cu visul ei. Pentru ca intr-o zi Suzi zareste pe fereastra un dragon inspaimantator. Si il invita la ceai.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
June 11, 2021
If I tell you that the title page of The Worst Princess features a cartoon drawing of a princess in full regalia, hair plaited in medieval style and snaking down twice her length, little bird perched atop her crown, whilst Princess Sue herself sits on the floor lacing up her baseball boots, oblivious to the glimpse of her frilly knickers showing ... then you may have an idea of the tone of this book, first published in 2012.
Princess Sue is a rebel. She's a bit lazy, a bit mouthy and very cheeky. She has no time for anyone who tries to tell her what to do. But she lives in a high tower and she's lonely,
"Some day, "she sighed, "my prince will come,
But I wish he'd move his royal bum."
Yes, the tale is told in rhyming couplets. It's rather like an updated version of Dr. Seuss, with a touch of the saucy humour Cyril Fletcher made famous with his "Odd Odes". If your child collapses into giggles at anything "rude" then they will probably love this book.
Sue's prince does come, but she doesn't think much to him, and she proves to be a little more than the dimwitted "twit" can handle. Recruiting the help of a fiery dragon, Sue escapes,
"The dragon sniffed, then with two snorts ...
Set alight the princely shorts!"
And two characters do live "happily ever after" ... but the prince is not one of them.
Small children who dislike pink princesses will love this funny tale, with a heroine not too impressed by the "Princess School"'s teaching, not afraid to get her face dirty, suitcase packed and raring to go - who uses her brains to get out of sticky situations,
"Sue didn't run, she had no fear,
Instead she had a bright idea"
The pen and ink illustrations by Sara Ogilvie enhance the text, and perfectly match the cheeky tone. They use lots of colour, are well delineated and exaggerated for a cartoon feel. Altogether this is nothing remarkable, but it's an amusing skit debunking the fairytale legend; a quick read for very young children. And if your child wants more of the dragon, then there is also "Sir Lilypad", a sequel written and illustrated by the same duo, again featuring the dragon, plus the teeny tiny frog of the title, (who is secretly called "weedy pants").
Princess Sue is a rebel. She's a bit lazy, a bit mouthy and very cheeky. She has no time for anyone who tries to tell her what to do. But she lives in a high tower and she's lonely,
"Some day, "she sighed, "my prince will come,
But I wish he'd move his royal bum."
Yes, the tale is told in rhyming couplets. It's rather like an updated version of Dr. Seuss, with a touch of the saucy humour Cyril Fletcher made famous with his "Odd Odes". If your child collapses into giggles at anything "rude" then they will probably love this book.
Sue's prince does come, but she doesn't think much to him, and she proves to be a little more than the dimwitted "twit" can handle. Recruiting the help of a fiery dragon, Sue escapes,
"The dragon sniffed, then with two snorts ...
Set alight the princely shorts!"
And two characters do live "happily ever after" ... but the prince is not one of them.
Small children who dislike pink princesses will love this funny tale, with a heroine not too impressed by the "Princess School"'s teaching, not afraid to get her face dirty, suitcase packed and raring to go - who uses her brains to get out of sticky situations,
"Sue didn't run, she had no fear,
Instead she had a bright idea"
The pen and ink illustrations by Sara Ogilvie enhance the text, and perfectly match the cheeky tone. They use lots of colour, are well delineated and exaggerated for a cartoon feel. Altogether this is nothing remarkable, but it's an amusing skit debunking the fairytale legend; a quick read for very young children. And if your child wants more of the dragon, then there is also "Sir Lilypad", a sequel written and illustrated by the same duo, again featuring the dragon, plus the teeny tiny frog of the title, (who is secretly called "weedy pants").
February 20, 2014
Girl meets boy. Boy puts girl in dull castle and goes off on quests. Girl bored. Girl meets dragon. Girl dumps boy. Girl and dragon live happily ever after.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2018
It's definitely not your normal fairy tale. In fact, it is purposefully quite the opposite, with the princess hating fashionable dresses and running off with the dragon instead of the prince.
She did kiss the prince though and did run off with him to his house before later calling him a twit and deserting him. So were they married? I'm not sure.
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: The words "bum", "twit", "stupid", and "rascal" are all used. There is a kiss.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
She did kiss the prince though and did run off with him to his house before later calling him a twit and deserting him. So were they married? I'm not sure.
Ages: 4 - 8
Cleanliness: The words "bum", "twit", "stupid", and "rascal" are all used. There is a kiss.
**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.
November 17, 2017
For all the little children who DON'T want to be princesses and ride around on dragons instead AKA me.
February 16, 2018
Another day, another cute feminist princess storybook for children.
'The Worst Princess' isn't about a "worst" princess at all. Sue starts out waiting for a prince to come rescue her from her tower, as is her traditional role. She grows bored after a hundred years (!?), and she reads to pass the time, and lets her hair plaits grow.
Then she is finally "rescued" by a prince... only he puts her in another tower prison, where she isn't allowed to go explore and have adventures of her own. That's a man's role, after all.
Sue doesn't take this lying down! In the most hilarious and satisfying fashion. She isn't the "worst" for wanting freedom!
This reminded me of 'The Princess and the Pony', 'Princeless' (right down to the dragon companion), and other feminist princess fairy tales coming in the bucket loads nowadays. But it is a good one, nonetheless. Princess Sue, the prince and the dragon are literally the only main characters shown; simple and on point, working in the short story's favour.
'The Worst Princess' teaches important lessons about independence and taking charge of your own life, and not to let anyone, especially those who claim to love you and know what's "best" for you, put you in a box because of your gender. An abuse allegory? Am I thinking too deeply into the subtext of a kid's picture book?
Girls, fly and create mischief! The rhyming and illustrations are charming and cute, as well.
Short and funny and sweet, that's 'The Worst Princess' for you!
Final Score: 4/5
'The Worst Princess' isn't about a "worst" princess at all. Sue starts out waiting for a prince to come rescue her from her tower, as is her traditional role. She grows bored after a hundred years (!?), and she reads to pass the time, and lets her hair plaits grow.
Then she is finally "rescued" by a prince... only he puts her in another tower prison, where she isn't allowed to go explore and have adventures of her own. That's a man's role, after all.
Sue doesn't take this lying down! In the most hilarious and satisfying fashion. She isn't the "worst" for wanting freedom!
This reminded me of 'The Princess and the Pony', 'Princeless' (right down to the dragon companion), and other feminist princess fairy tales coming in the bucket loads nowadays. But it is a good one, nonetheless. Princess Sue, the prince and the dragon are literally the only main characters shown; simple and on point, working in the short story's favour.
'The Worst Princess' teaches important lessons about independence and taking charge of your own life, and not to let anyone, especially those who claim to love you and know what's "best" for you, put you in a box because of your gender. An abuse allegory? Am I thinking too deeply into the subtext of a kid's picture book?
Girls, fly and create mischief! The rhyming and illustrations are charming and cute, as well.
Short and funny and sweet, that's 'The Worst Princess' for you!
Final Score: 4/5
May 27, 2014
Wonderful. Would get 5 stars except for the use of the word stupid (castle) which involves countless questions from my 4 year old who has been taught at school not to use the word stupid. A shame because Mummy refers to inanimate objects as stupid all the time. And also gets told off for it.
January 25, 2024
If you want to teach your little ones that hegemonic femininity is an inferior gender expression, that so-called feminine interests are laughable and that to be a strong woman you have to behave... like a caricature of a man...? Go for it.
I almost gave it to my nephew for Christmas. I'm glad I read it just before to check. Thank God, thank my instincts.
I almost with this book was about to make him hate girls, women, femininity and offer him a vision that could not be more caricatural, reductive and resolutely obsolete of gender where masculinity and femininity are absolutely incompatible.
A worldview where femininity is seen as frivolous and inferior. Where there is not even an alternative. Non-binarism. Gender fluidity. Space for queer expression. Because let us note that « the worst princess » who does not fit withing this expression of femininity (and that is perfectly her right, her prerogative) heads automatically towards its opposite, no questions asked. Towards hegemonic and caricatural masculinity (she becomes a slob, she resorts to violence with her dragon). As if gender wasn’t a spectrum to maybe potentially explore.
(Ps: no need to be a man and have a dragon to want to burn everything to the grown. This burning fire is also intrinsically linked to hegemonic femininity and that too they conveniently forget to point out... Women with their false nails and their most refined dresses can be in many ways much more fierce than some people who only know how to express themselves in primitive violence... that is commonly associated with the masculine gender. Women’s anger is very real. We too can be violent. We just simply don’t feel the need to punch a whole in a wall at every single frustration we encounter.)
Sorry Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie for letting you know that you can identify as a girl, love beautiful dresses, sequins, manicures and still be incredibly strong and intelligent.
Sorry Anna Kemp and Sara Olgivie to teach you that you can even identify as a little boy and appreciate these same attributes of hegemonic femininity, the frills, the pink, the makeup and still be an amazing boy and ready to face the world with your head held up high.
We are no longer in 1960.
Feminine spaces of creativity (yes, makeup and fashion are creative, expressive and artistic spaces) are worth nothing less, not an iota, than those perceived as masculine.
The conflation between women who are truly victims and their oppressor (the prince) as well as women who are simply feminine (and they have the RIGHT and CHOICE TO BE), is clumsy at best, but I would rather say that it is nauseating. And the vicious response represented by the dragon which targets both the dominant and the attributes of the supposedly dominated (without any distinction whatsoever...! Since loving manicures means submission and the total absence of free will) is perplexing.
What is the expression? “We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”?
Perhaps, Anna and Sara should not then burn the patriarchy and all the women alive who’s only crime is to enjoy the attributes of hegemonic femininity and didn’t ask for anything
I'm ashamed to have this book in my home. I can't wait to get rid of it. I'm going to donate it to my local library but it won't be without warning. And as a feminist and simply an advocate for all social justice, without feeling filthy.
Shameful. Truly shameful. I only have that word in mind when thinking about this book.
If I could give zero stars I would. And again… I wish I could give a negative rating. Abysmal.
I almost gave it to my nephew for Christmas. I'm glad I read it just before to check. Thank God, thank my instincts.
I almost with this book was about to make him hate girls, women, femininity and offer him a vision that could not be more caricatural, reductive and resolutely obsolete of gender where masculinity and femininity are absolutely incompatible.
A worldview where femininity is seen as frivolous and inferior. Where there is not even an alternative. Non-binarism. Gender fluidity. Space for queer expression. Because let us note that « the worst princess » who does not fit withing this expression of femininity (and that is perfectly her right, her prerogative) heads automatically towards its opposite, no questions asked. Towards hegemonic and caricatural masculinity (she becomes a slob, she resorts to violence with her dragon). As if gender wasn’t a spectrum to maybe potentially explore.
(Ps: no need to be a man and have a dragon to want to burn everything to the grown. This burning fire is also intrinsically linked to hegemonic femininity and that too they conveniently forget to point out... Women with their false nails and their most refined dresses can be in many ways much more fierce than some people who only know how to express themselves in primitive violence... that is commonly associated with the masculine gender. Women’s anger is very real. We too can be violent. We just simply don’t feel the need to punch a whole in a wall at every single frustration we encounter.)
Sorry Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie for letting you know that you can identify as a girl, love beautiful dresses, sequins, manicures and still be incredibly strong and intelligent.
Sorry Anna Kemp and Sara Olgivie to teach you that you can even identify as a little boy and appreciate these same attributes of hegemonic femininity, the frills, the pink, the makeup and still be an amazing boy and ready to face the world with your head held up high.
We are no longer in 1960.
Feminine spaces of creativity (yes, makeup and fashion are creative, expressive and artistic spaces) are worth nothing less, not an iota, than those perceived as masculine.
The conflation between women who are truly victims and their oppressor (the prince) as well as women who are simply feminine (and they have the RIGHT and CHOICE TO BE), is clumsy at best, but I would rather say that it is nauseating. And the vicious response represented by the dragon which targets both the dominant and the attributes of the supposedly dominated (without any distinction whatsoever...! Since loving manicures means submission and the total absence of free will) is perplexing.
What is the expression? “We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”?
Perhaps, Anna and Sara should not then burn the patriarchy and all the women alive who’s only crime is to enjoy the attributes of hegemonic femininity and didn’t ask for anything
I'm ashamed to have this book in my home. I can't wait to get rid of it. I'm going to donate it to my local library but it won't be without warning. And as a feminist and simply an advocate for all social justice, without feeling filthy.
Shameful. Truly shameful. I only have that word in mind when thinking about this book.
If I could give zero stars I would. And again… I wish I could give a negative rating. Abysmal.
October 20, 2025
Elska at den var på rim og at den illustrerte hvor kjedelig et vanlig prinsesseliv med "drømmeprinsen" faktisk er.
January 29, 2020
A fun story about a princess who gets annoyed with being expected to sit around and look pretty, who decides instead to team up with a dragon and go on adventures! Not the first picture book I've seen with this theme, but I always enjoy these twists on classic tales. The art in this was particularly good compared to some others I've seen.
~Shay
~Shay
February 11, 2025
An awesome, delightful, funny takedown of traditional princess stories.
September 26, 2019
I really liked reading this book. It contains lots of rhyme and it challenges the stereotypes of princesses.
March 29, 2016
Une histoire avec une princesse qui n'est pas comme les autres, qui est rebelle ? Je signe tout de suite.
Le postulat de départ est simple, notre princesse du jour s'ennuie ferme et attend la venue de son prince. Quand il se présente enfin, Zélie est ravie, elle va pouvoir vivre la vie dont elle a rêvé, une vie faite d'aventures. Quelle n'est pas sa surprise quand ledit prince la ramène chez lui. Zélie est dépitée. Mais un jour elle trouve le moyen d'échapper à son triste sort et c'est partie pour une vie pleine d'aventures.
Une princesse qui n'a pas froid aux yeux, qui s'amuse et tourne en ridicule ces princes qui ne se prennent pas pour des moins que rien, qui pensent qu'une femme ça reste à la maison et le reste on connaît la chanson, moi j'adore. Dans tout ça, Zélie ne trouve rien de mieux que de s'allier avec l'ennemi naturel du chevalier, de quoi encore renforcer le côté amusant des actes de cette princesse. Et, accessoirement d'encore plus se moquer des princes. J'aurai bien aimé que le ridicule dur plus longtemps et qu'il soit même accentué avec des paroles par exemple. Les actes parlent davantage d'eux-même, mais déjà on sourit de ce qu'on voit.
Quand j'ai vu quel était le sort réservé à Zélie, j'ai été triste pour elle et aussi énervé contre ce prince qui campe l'archétype du macho et du goujat de première. Il faut lire ce qu'il dit, un vrai mufle. L'auteure démontre parfaitement avec cette princesse qu'on n'a pas besoin d'un homme pour être heureuse ou pour vivre sa vie tout simplement. Et oui on rêve peut-être toute du prince charmant, même si pour le cas de Zélie elle l'attend plus parce qu'on lui a dit qu'il se présenterait à sa porte, mais les princes ne sont pas forcément mieux que les autres. Zélie qui attendait la venue du prince charmant avec impatience pour la sortir de sa tour et de son ennui, n'est pas contente de son sort et elle arrive très bien à s'affranchir et à se sortir de sa situation qui ne lui convient pas. Elle prend sa vie en main. Un bel exemple à suivre. Et les dessins sont agréables.
Ma chronique avec images : http://bloggalleane.blogspot.fr/2016/...
Le postulat de départ est simple, notre princesse du jour s'ennuie ferme et attend la venue de son prince. Quand il se présente enfin, Zélie est ravie, elle va pouvoir vivre la vie dont elle a rêvé, une vie faite d'aventures. Quelle n'est pas sa surprise quand ledit prince la ramène chez lui. Zélie est dépitée. Mais un jour elle trouve le moyen d'échapper à son triste sort et c'est partie pour une vie pleine d'aventures.
Une princesse qui n'a pas froid aux yeux, qui s'amuse et tourne en ridicule ces princes qui ne se prennent pas pour des moins que rien, qui pensent qu'une femme ça reste à la maison et le reste on connaît la chanson, moi j'adore. Dans tout ça, Zélie ne trouve rien de mieux que de s'allier avec l'ennemi naturel du chevalier, de quoi encore renforcer le côté amusant des actes de cette princesse. Et, accessoirement d'encore plus se moquer des princes. J'aurai bien aimé que le ridicule dur plus longtemps et qu'il soit même accentué avec des paroles par exemple. Les actes parlent davantage d'eux-même, mais déjà on sourit de ce qu'on voit.
Quand j'ai vu quel était le sort réservé à Zélie, j'ai été triste pour elle et aussi énervé contre ce prince qui campe l'archétype du macho et du goujat de première. Il faut lire ce qu'il dit, un vrai mufle. L'auteure démontre parfaitement avec cette princesse qu'on n'a pas besoin d'un homme pour être heureuse ou pour vivre sa vie tout simplement. Et oui on rêve peut-être toute du prince charmant, même si pour le cas de Zélie elle l'attend plus parce qu'on lui a dit qu'il se présenterait à sa porte, mais les princes ne sont pas forcément mieux que les autres. Zélie qui attendait la venue du prince charmant avec impatience pour la sortir de sa tour et de son ennui, n'est pas contente de son sort et elle arrive très bien à s'affranchir et à se sortir de sa situation qui ne lui convient pas. Elle prend sa vie en main. Un bel exemple à suivre. Et les dessins sont agréables.
Ma chronique avec images : http://bloggalleane.blogspot.fr/2016/...
October 29, 2014
I try not to review my Children's books on here because I am usually doing the book challenge and it interferes with that. I am however well over my challenge for the year so figured why not.
My daughter was given this book as a gift from her nursery teacher when she graduated just before she started school. I myself really liked this book. It was nice to have a book where the princess has her own mind and views on what she wants and isn't a princess that just wants to find the charming prince and live happily ever after. There is so little books on the market for little girls that have role models or as good a role model as you can get for a little child who loves to read books.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read for their child. It is funny enough for the children to be kept entertained and it is a nice change from other books on the market. Plus it has a DRAGON. What's not to love.
My daughter was given this book as a gift from her nursery teacher when she graduated just before she started school. I myself really liked this book. It was nice to have a book where the princess has her own mind and views on what she wants and isn't a princess that just wants to find the charming prince and live happily ever after. There is so little books on the market for little girls that have role models or as good a role model as you can get for a little child who loves to read books.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read for their child. It is funny enough for the children to be kept entertained and it is a nice change from other books on the market. Plus it has a DRAGON. What's not to love.
April 26, 2014
Princess Sue follows all the rules to make sure that she's rescued by her true-love prince. Once she's rescued, she's whisked away to her happily ever after and a quiet life in the castle. Bummed out that she won't get to explore and "do all kinds of fun stuff too," she teams up with a dragon to have her own adventure.
Lovely illustrations, a great message about being yourself and finding your own happiness, this is a book that's sure to be a hit with parents looking for positive, independent princess stories.
This book will surely be compared to Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess, which I completely love. This book is great too and fans of PBP are sure to enjoy Princess Sue and her princess journey.
Lovely illustrations, a great message about being yourself and finding your own happiness, this is a book that's sure to be a hit with parents looking for positive, independent princess stories.
This book will surely be compared to Robert Munsch's The Paper Bag Princess, which I completely love. This book is great too and fans of PBP are sure to enjoy Princess Sue and her princess journey.
November 22, 2014
Princess Sue has waited forever for a prince to come rescue her from the boredom of her tower, but, when he finally arrives, she doesn't get the happy ending she's been expecting. Instead of the freedom and adventure she longs for, her prince puts her in a penthouse... in another tower. After all, dragon-bashing and armor is strictly for boys only. But Sue won't give up her happily ever after so easily! When she spies a ferocious dragon she promptly invites him to tea and the two team up to show the prince what's what and ride off into the sunset. THE WORST PRINCESS is a princess tale with a twist: filled with rhyme, unexpected friendships, and gender stereotype-free adventure!
December 31, 2016
This book is up there with The Paper Bag Princess.
This princess has some chutzpah! After growing up isolated in a tower, she's less than thrilled with the twit of a prince who "rescues" her right off to another tower prison.
She enlists the help of a charming dragon who enjoys his nasal spray. Together they live happily ever after...just as it should be!
This princess has some chutzpah! After growing up isolated in a tower, she's less than thrilled with the twit of a prince who "rescues" her right off to another tower prison.
She enlists the help of a charming dragon who enjoys his nasal spray. Together they live happily ever after...just as it should be!
September 5, 2014
A Princess who realizes she doesn't need a prince? A Princess who would rather ride around on a dragon and cause mischief than have long hair and flowy dresses? Sign me up for an outing with this spunky princess!
July 17, 2014
Kind of the worst side of feminism. The princess has to go around and trash the boys and call them names? Great.
This book seems to have turned my four year old off of books about girls. He was very upset after we read it to him.
This book seems to have turned my four year old off of books about girls. He was very upset after we read it to him.
October 28, 2015
An absolute favourite in our house, we all love princess Sue.
April 17, 2018
It rhymes. Good for story time.
September 28, 2015
Very cleverly written and funny. I wasn't a huge fan of the illustrations, but the story more than tipped the scales for the good.
June 11, 2017
Fabulous.
July 31, 2024
»»» A compra:
Compra em 2.ª mão na wob.com depois de ver o livro, na edição portuguesa, na livraria.
Porquê comprar a edição inglesa? Pois, porque a portuguesa é cara e aqui digo-o sem pena, porque curiosamente a edição portuguesa é também de capa mole e não capa dura, raro em livros infantis em Portugal, mas ninguém diria pelo preço, que é igual a um de capa dura. Paguei menos de metade pelo meu e se tivesse comprado como novo ainda ficava a metade do preço do português. Desejo todo o sucesso a editoras portuguesas e muitas vezes tento comprar as edições portuguesas, mesmo que tenha que esperar por um bom desconto, mas assim é demais… pelo menos até me sair o euromilhões!
»»» A aventura:
Susana é uma princesa que está enfadada no seu mundo e sente que falta algo.
Eis que chega um príncipe e ela sonha que é com ele que vai poder lançar-se em aventuras, mas descobre que o príncipe deseja que ela seja uma princesa como mandam as regras e os bons costumes, a preparar-se para bailes e a pôr-se bonita.
Susana não está para isso e mal vê um dragão pelo seu telescópio lança-se numa aventura só sua.
»»» Sentimento final:
Um pouco dececionante.
Um bom conceito, princesa sente que é mais uma princesa ativa, de sair pela floresta em busca de bandidos, que princesa de bailes e vestidos, mas tudo é levado ao extremo.
É um bom livro para feministas exacerbadas, para mim é pouco subtil e pouco simpático a passar a mensagem da mulher poder fazer o que quer, dentro do possível, claro, porque não é preciso demonizar os homens ou dar a entender que ser feminina e gostar de coisas femininas ou cumprir regras sociais é mau para passar uma boa mensagem sobre a liberdade e determinação feminina.
As estrelas que dei vão para o que poderia ser a história se tudo fosse mais subtil, pelas ilustrações e por algum do texto ser em rima, conferindo-lhe uma alegria própria.
Dito isto, felizmente comprei e li outro livro das mesmas autoras este mês e esse permitiu saber que o talento está lá e que se pode esperar boas coisas desta dupla, se não exagerarem a querer passar mensagens.
»»» Nota final (capa e outras considerações):
--- [Capa] – Boa capa, com ilustração representativa do interior do livro e boa escolha de letra para o título.
--- [Ilustrações] – Mais uma vez a cereja em cima do bolo, como dizem os americanos, que quase me fazia esquecer algumas das cenas constrangedoras, com pormenores muito bem conseguidos, como pôr ténis na nossa princesa medieval. O desenho e as cores são fantásticos.
Sem ser de propósito acabei por comprar nestes últimos meses 3 livros com esta ilustradora, que só dei conta quando os li, por destino, todos no mesmo mês, e realmente é uma ilustradora a seguir.
»»» Uma espreitadela:
Compra em 2.ª mão na wob.com depois de ver o livro, na edição portuguesa, na livraria.
Porquê comprar a edição inglesa? Pois, porque a portuguesa é cara e aqui digo-o sem pena, porque curiosamente a edição portuguesa é também de capa mole e não capa dura, raro em livros infantis em Portugal, mas ninguém diria pelo preço, que é igual a um de capa dura. Paguei menos de metade pelo meu e se tivesse comprado como novo ainda ficava a metade do preço do português. Desejo todo o sucesso a editoras portuguesas e muitas vezes tento comprar as edições portuguesas, mesmo que tenha que esperar por um bom desconto, mas assim é demais… pelo menos até me sair o euromilhões!
»»» A aventura:
Susana é uma princesa que está enfadada no seu mundo e sente que falta algo.
Eis que chega um príncipe e ela sonha que é com ele que vai poder lançar-se em aventuras, mas descobre que o príncipe deseja que ela seja uma princesa como mandam as regras e os bons costumes, a preparar-se para bailes e a pôr-se bonita.
Susana não está para isso e mal vê um dragão pelo seu telescópio lança-se numa aventura só sua.
»»» Sentimento final:
Um pouco dececionante.
Um bom conceito, princesa sente que é mais uma princesa ativa, de sair pela floresta em busca de bandidos, que princesa de bailes e vestidos, mas tudo é levado ao extremo.
É um bom livro para feministas exacerbadas, para mim é pouco subtil e pouco simpático a passar a mensagem da mulher poder fazer o que quer, dentro do possível, claro, porque não é preciso demonizar os homens ou dar a entender que ser feminina e gostar de coisas femininas ou cumprir regras sociais é mau para passar uma boa mensagem sobre a liberdade e determinação feminina.
As estrelas que dei vão para o que poderia ser a história se tudo fosse mais subtil, pelas ilustrações e por algum do texto ser em rima, conferindo-lhe uma alegria própria.
Dito isto, felizmente comprei e li outro livro das mesmas autoras este mês e esse permitiu saber que o talento está lá e que se pode esperar boas coisas desta dupla, se não exagerarem a querer passar mensagens.
»»» Nota final (capa e outras considerações):
--- [Capa] – Boa capa, com ilustração representativa do interior do livro e boa escolha de letra para o título.
--- [Ilustrações] – Mais uma vez a cereja em cima do bolo, como dizem os americanos, que quase me fazia esquecer algumas das cenas constrangedoras, com pormenores muito bem conseguidos, como pôr ténis na nossa princesa medieval. O desenho e as cores são fantásticos.
Sem ser de propósito acabei por comprar nestes últimos meses 3 livros com esta ilustradora, que só dei conta quando os li, por destino, todos no mesmo mês, e realmente é uma ilustradora a seguir.
»»» Uma espreitadela:
October 10, 2017
Summary:
The Worst Princess, by Anna Kemp and Sarah Ogilvie, tells the story of Princess Sue. Princess Sue has waited around her whole life for a prince to come and rescue her. However, when a prince finally does come, she finds that he has stereotypical viewpoint of what Sue should do with her time. While Sue wants adventure, the prince simply wants to lock her in another castle and tells her to “smile a lot and twist your curls. Dragon-bashing is not for girls.” In the end, Princess Sue accepts that she is the worst princess and comes up with a plan to break free from the life that the prince has planned for her.
Themes:
The theme of this book is gender stereotypes. Princess Sue is expected to wear pretty dresses, twirl her hair, and sit in a tower all day. Instead, she simply wants to cut off her hair and go out into the world to find adventure. When she tells the prince this, he tells her that she is the worst princess and that she must do as she is told. Another theme in this book is that it’s an alternative fairy tale. Princess Sue breaks from the typical fairy tale because she does not stay with the prince. Instead, this book ends with Princess Sue breaking free from the princess stereotype and making her own happily ever after. Obviously, this is very different from the typical princess fairy tale.
Personal Response:
Out of all the books I read, this one was easily my favorite. I wish that I had read more books like this when I was a young girl because I was always taught that girls must find their perfect prince and do what they say. Instead, this book teaches that girls can do whatever they want. Also, the illustrations in this book were beautiful and really fun. They were colorful and very inviting for the reader, and I loved looking at all of them.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for any kids K-5. I think it can be read by many ages and will be intriguing to students even as they get older. Also, this book will teach girls that they do not have to fit into the stereotypes commonly placed on young girls. It shows that girls can have just as much adventure as boys. It teaches that girls don’t need to have a boy to tell them what to do, and that they can make their own happily ever after without one. The message in this book is really important for young girls.
The Worst Princess, by Anna Kemp and Sarah Ogilvie, tells the story of Princess Sue. Princess Sue has waited around her whole life for a prince to come and rescue her. However, when a prince finally does come, she finds that he has stereotypical viewpoint of what Sue should do with her time. While Sue wants adventure, the prince simply wants to lock her in another castle and tells her to “smile a lot and twist your curls. Dragon-bashing is not for girls.” In the end, Princess Sue accepts that she is the worst princess and comes up with a plan to break free from the life that the prince has planned for her.
Themes:
The theme of this book is gender stereotypes. Princess Sue is expected to wear pretty dresses, twirl her hair, and sit in a tower all day. Instead, she simply wants to cut off her hair and go out into the world to find adventure. When she tells the prince this, he tells her that she is the worst princess and that she must do as she is told. Another theme in this book is that it’s an alternative fairy tale. Princess Sue breaks from the typical fairy tale because she does not stay with the prince. Instead, this book ends with Princess Sue breaking free from the princess stereotype and making her own happily ever after. Obviously, this is very different from the typical princess fairy tale.
Personal Response:
Out of all the books I read, this one was easily my favorite. I wish that I had read more books like this when I was a young girl because I was always taught that girls must find their perfect prince and do what they say. Instead, this book teaches that girls can do whatever they want. Also, the illustrations in this book were beautiful and really fun. They were colorful and very inviting for the reader, and I loved looking at all of them.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for any kids K-5. I think it can be read by many ages and will be intriguing to students even as they get older. Also, this book will teach girls that they do not have to fit into the stereotypes commonly placed on young girls. It shows that girls can have just as much adventure as boys. It teaches that girls don’t need to have a boy to tell them what to do, and that they can make their own happily ever after without one. The message in this book is really important for young girls.
January 13, 2020
When I first picked this up, my gut reaction was “why oh why oh why! This is a HORRIBLE message for young girls!” but I kept reading because this was about the worst princess after all… and I’m glad I did.
Taking a stab at all those other princesses, The Worst Princess decided she didn’t much care for the truth of the life she thought was for her, and, in fact, it didn’t turn out anything like she thought it would be. After the romance wore off and the stars faded from her eyes, the reality was much more harsh.
So while this princess might cause a little more ruckus than we’d generally expect from “nobility" it’s comforting to see that she finds a path that means something to her, something that is fun and adventurous and daring.
Whether or not this is something I’d read to a three-year old would depend on how infatuated she was with some of those other princesses. Since, quite frankly, I’d rather see a young girl grow up believing it’s okay to grow up to be what you want, even if it’s not what you think other people think you should be.
It might also prove to be great gift idea to a friend of north-of-teen-years as a post-break-up lifter-upper. Just had to throw that out there. I can think of a few times it would’ve been appropriate for a twenty-something.
It’s about girl power, after all.
Sometimes a gal needs the pick-me-up, and what better way of getting it than a flight on Dragon-Air? ;P
Taking a stab at all those other princesses, The Worst Princess decided she didn’t much care for the truth of the life she thought was for her, and, in fact, it didn’t turn out anything like she thought it would be. After the romance wore off and the stars faded from her eyes, the reality was much more harsh.
So while this princess might cause a little more ruckus than we’d generally expect from “nobility" it’s comforting to see that she finds a path that means something to her, something that is fun and adventurous and daring.
Whether or not this is something I’d read to a three-year old would depend on how infatuated she was with some of those other princesses. Since, quite frankly, I’d rather see a young girl grow up believing it’s okay to grow up to be what you want, even if it’s not what you think other people think you should be.
It might also prove to be great gift idea to a friend of north-of-teen-years as a post-break-up lifter-upper. Just had to throw that out there. I can think of a few times it would’ve been appropriate for a twenty-something.
It’s about girl power, after all.
Sometimes a gal needs the pick-me-up, and what better way of getting it than a flight on Dragon-Air? ;P
Read
September 10, 2020Summary: This is not your typical fairy tale princess story. Every princess story starts off with girl in waiting for her prince who soon comes, takes her away, and they live happily ever after. This book takes this original idea and twist it and turns it into a fun story of not your typical girl. It is a poem style writing that rhymes and makes you want to laugh out loud. The pictures takes the words that are written down and brings them to life in a new artistic way. Full of colors and details it is a book that is a eye catcher.
Personal Thoughts: I love this twist they had on the perfect princess. I could tell from the first page and the drawing of the princess that she was not your typical girl. That your story is not your typical boy meets girl and falls in love. I loved this book and it made me happy to see the pictures and how it was all brought to life and made me laugh out loud.
How I Will Use: I think this a great book to teach children how to live outside of the norms that society teaches us. Like the princess she was taught to live a certain way and wait for the perfect guy. In the end though she decided to go her own way and live her life. I think this book can be read to both guys and girls even though it is about a princess. The book can be for everyone because of the lesson it brings and I want to use this books to teach my children to live the way they want to live the way God wants them to be.
Personal Thoughts: I love this twist they had on the perfect princess. I could tell from the first page and the drawing of the princess that she was not your typical girl. That your story is not your typical boy meets girl and falls in love. I loved this book and it made me happy to see the pictures and how it was all brought to life and made me laugh out loud.
How I Will Use: I think this a great book to teach children how to live outside of the norms that society teaches us. Like the princess she was taught to live a certain way and wait for the perfect guy. In the end though she decided to go her own way and live her life. I think this book can be read to both guys and girls even though it is about a princess. The book can be for everyone because of the lesson it brings and I want to use this books to teach my children to live the way they want to live the way God wants them to be.
Read
September 9, 2019"The Worst Princess" by Anna Kemp is about a princess who has been waiting for her prince to come and save her from her tower for years, and how bored she is as she waits. She is so excited to get out and see the world, but when her prince finally shows up, she quickly learns that all he wants her to do is sit in his castle, be quiet, and wear dresses- something she is NOT okay with! She befriends a dragon who blows the prince's castle down, and the princess and the dragon go off and explore the world together.
This book was so sweet! It is a refreshing take on the classic princess fairy tale. The illustrations were colorful and captivating for any audience. The story rhymed, which made it fun to read, especially out loud.
The rhyming is something I would definitely use this book for in therapy! The stanzas are short enough that it would be easy for any child to understand, and as mentioned before, it is a fun storyline to follow. I would also use this book to teach adjectives, as it uses one in almost every line. Even the title! Of course, as with every book, I could use ask questions before reading about why the princess might be the "worst", simply based on the illustration on the front cover.
This book was so sweet! It is a refreshing take on the classic princess fairy tale. The illustrations were colorful and captivating for any audience. The story rhymed, which made it fun to read, especially out loud.
The rhyming is something I would definitely use this book for in therapy! The stanzas are short enough that it would be easy for any child to understand, and as mentioned before, it is a fun storyline to follow. I would also use this book to teach adjectives, as it uses one in almost every line. Even the title! Of course, as with every book, I could use ask questions before reading about why the princess might be the "worst", simply based on the illustration on the front cover.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2018
I was reading this feminist twist on classic fairytales to my daughter today and realised how much I love this book. It gives exactly the message that I want to impart on my five-year-old.
At the start we meet Princess Sue, who is waiting in a tower for her prince. She knows how fairytales work! When he finally shows up Sue is glad to finally get out of the tower, but her joy is short lived when he puts her in another tower. When she sees a dragon approach, she takes destiny in her own hands.
As an adult I love the obvious satire in this tale and my daughter just loves seeing this balsy princess flying away on a dragon. She has never been the fairytale princess kind of girl anyway. The only Disney princess movie she likes is Vaiana (Moana), so I guess she likes a strong independent girl! Fine by me!
I love the illustrations by Sara Ogilvie as well. Nothing is too polished, exactly like Princess Sue and I love that. A great match.
This definitely is one of my favourite picture books on my daughter’s shelf and I would recommend it to any parent of young children. Teach them that they are in charge of their own story!
At the start we meet Princess Sue, who is waiting in a tower for her prince. She knows how fairytales work! When he finally shows up Sue is glad to finally get out of the tower, but her joy is short lived when he puts her in another tower. When she sees a dragon approach, she takes destiny in her own hands.
As an adult I love the obvious satire in this tale and my daughter just loves seeing this balsy princess flying away on a dragon. She has never been the fairytale princess kind of girl anyway. The only Disney princess movie she likes is Vaiana (Moana), so I guess she likes a strong independent girl! Fine by me!
I love the illustrations by Sara Ogilvie as well. Nothing is too polished, exactly like Princess Sue and I love that. A great match.
This definitely is one of my favourite picture books on my daughter’s shelf and I would recommend it to any parent of young children. Teach them that they are in charge of their own story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews