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Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror
“Mirror, mirror on the wall . . . what makes a princess excellent?” When an enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe, its reflection reveals princesses who refuse to be just pretty, polite, and obedient. These are girls determined to do the rescuing themselves. Princess Leila of the desert protects her people from the king with the black-and-gold banner; Princess Tica takes a crocodile for a pet; Princess Ellen explores the high seas; Princess Abayome puts empathy and kindness above being royal; and in a tower block, Princess saves her community’s beloved garden from the hands of urban developers.
Connecting these stories is the magic mirror, which reveals itself when each girl needs it most, illuminating how a princess’s power comes not from her title or beauty, but from her own inner strength. These beautifully imagined stories, complemented by vibrant and inviting artwork, offer the pleasure and familiarity of traditional tales with refreshingly modern themes.
Connecting these stories is the magic mirror, which reveals itself when each girl needs it most, illuminating how a princess’s power comes not from her title or beauty, but from her own inner strength. These beautifully imagined stories, complemented by vibrant and inviting artwork, offer the pleasure and familiarity of traditional tales with refreshingly modern themes.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2019
10 people are currently reading
2225 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Farrant
26 books116 followersNatasha Farrant grew up in the heart of London's French community, and currently combines writing with her career as a Literary Scout. She is the author of two successful novels for adults, Diving Into Light and Some Other Eden, both published by Transworld. She lives in West London with her husband, two daughters and a large tortoiseshell cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 26, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
An Enchantress becomes Godmother to a Princess. She is unsure how a Princess should behave and how she can help her Goddaughter to be the best she can as she grows. The Enchantress asks a few people who all give her their advice but she turns to a magic mirror in her library for the best answer but the mirror is unsure.
The Enchantress comes up with a plan, she turns the magic mirror into a handy compact mirror and hangs it in a tree in a forest where Princesses pass to be her eyes and ears of the universe and to see how other princesses behave and to report back to her.
Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror is a fairy-tale-esq novel featuring ten chapters. The first and the last featuring the Enchantress, the eight in between are tales from different princesses. Each Princess’s individual story is unique, powerful, and tells a wonderful story that has a lovely lesson within for children to learn from.
The book is filled with beautiful illustrations by artist Lydia Corry that adorn each page and bring the story to life and make the book fun. Each story is connected by the magic mirror and ends with a tale about what happened to the mirror afterwards.
The stories are delightful and this is a book that would empower any young girl and with how beautiful it looks both inside and out it would make a fantastic gift whether the reader is a fan of princesses or not.
An Enchantress becomes Godmother to a Princess. She is unsure how a Princess should behave and how she can help her Goddaughter to be the best she can as she grows. The Enchantress asks a few people who all give her their advice but she turns to a magic mirror in her library for the best answer but the mirror is unsure.
The Enchantress comes up with a plan, she turns the magic mirror into a handy compact mirror and hangs it in a tree in a forest where Princesses pass to be her eyes and ears of the universe and to see how other princesses behave and to report back to her.
Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror is a fairy-tale-esq novel featuring ten chapters. The first and the last featuring the Enchantress, the eight in between are tales from different princesses. Each Princess’s individual story is unique, powerful, and tells a wonderful story that has a lovely lesson within for children to learn from.
The book is filled with beautiful illustrations by artist Lydia Corry that adorn each page and bring the story to life and make the book fun. Each story is connected by the magic mirror and ends with a tale about what happened to the mirror afterwards.
The stories are delightful and this is a book that would empower any young girl and with how beautiful it looks both inside and out it would make a fantastic gift whether the reader is a fan of princesses or not.
June 3, 2020
I was sent a finished hardback copy for review from the publishers Zephyr Books, thank you to them!
Eight beautifully folklore-inspired tales all surrounding the same theme of a magical mirror. When an important enchantress is given the role of godmother to a newborn princess, she is excited but knows that she has to work hard so that the princess is educated and inspired. So the enchantress time travels to various locations and notes down what other princesses in their kingdoms have gone on to become. The illustrations throughout were both colourful and stunning. A great book for a young audience!
Eight beautifully folklore-inspired tales all surrounding the same theme of a magical mirror. When an important enchantress is given the role of godmother to a newborn princess, she is excited but knows that she has to work hard so that the princess is educated and inspired. So the enchantress time travels to various locations and notes down what other princesses in their kingdoms have gone on to become. The illustrations throughout were both colourful and stunning. A great book for a young audience!
June 22, 2022
Wat een prachtig (en ook schattig) verhaal over sterke prinsessen! Mijn volledige recensie kan je hier lezen: https://axellesbooks.wordpress.com/20...
April 1, 2021
Wenn uns Bücher und Filme lange Zeit eines weismachen wollten, dann das Prinzessinnen nicht nur die zartesten Wesen überhaupt sind, sondern auch nur glücklich werden können, wenn sie endlich ihren Prinzen gefunden haben, welcher sie dann gleich auch noch rettet. Zum Glück geht dieser Trend langsam zurück und beschert uns eben Bücher wie dieses, das ganz klar zeigt, das Prinzessinnen, auch furchtlos und clever sein können.
Um das Ganze noch abzurunden, wurde man im Buch nicht einfach in die Geschichten der 8 Prinzessinnen geworfen, sondern lernte erst einmal eine gute Fee kennen, welche sich fragte, was eigentlich eine fabelhafte Prinzessin wäre. Um dies herauszufinden, schickt sie ihren magischen Spiegel auf eine Reise und sieht dabei was die 8 Prinzessinnen so fabelhaft macht.
Klingt herrlich und war es auch, denn die Geschichten handeln davon wie die verschiedensten Mädchen ihren Mut beweisen, sich Hindernissen stellen und Lösungen zu schwierigen Problemen finden. Ich habe dabei übrigens bewusst das Wort Mädchen benutzt, denn in den meisten Geschichten ging es nun einmal um Mädchen. Aber eben um Mädchen die aus sich herauswuchsen und ihre Schwächen zu Stärken umwandelten. Warum man sie trotzdem Prinzessinnen nennen sollte? Weil diese Mädchen zu Personen wurden, zu denen man gerne aufsah und an denen man sich einfach gerne orientierte. Hier spielte das Aussehen oder der Rang keine Rolle, es ging allein darum zu zeigen, das Prinzessinnen starke Persönlichkeiten sein können.
Passend dazu boten die Geschichten wirklich eine große Vielfalt an Orten und Zeiten. Vom Mittelalter, über afrikanische Staaten bis hin in Moderne, wurde stets ein oder mehrere Mädchen gezeigt, das es etwas für sich oder für andere tat. Abgerundet wurde dies durch einen wirklich sehr leichten Schreibstil, der Emotionen sehr gut vermittelte und stets mit einem AHA-Effekt auftrumpfte. Es war einfach ein großer Spaß sich stellenweise selbst wiederzufinden und z.B. zu erkennen, dass Bücherwürmer eben nicht aus der Art schlagen, sondern mit ihrem Wissen ebenso Stärke zeigen können.
Trotzdem muss ich sagen, das ich von den 8 Geschichten nur 7 wirklich loben kann. Die letzte Geschichte über die Hochhaus-Prinzessin war zwar gut durchdacht, aber fühlte sich dank einer mysteriösen Klavierspielerin einfach sehr befremdlich an.
Kommen wir aber zum Schluss noch zu etwas erfreulichen und das wäre die Aufmachung. Schon das Cover zeigte wunderschöne Aquarell-Zeichnungen, die zwar einfach aber eben wirkungsvoll waren. Im Inneren wurde ich dann aber vollends verzaubert. Neben den Geschichten gab es nämlich haufenweise Illustrationen zu entdecken, bei denen die eine schöne war als die Andere. Besonders gelungen fand ich dabei das der Titel jeder Geschichte im Stile des Covers gestaltetet wurde. Natürlich an jede Prinzessin angepasst. Man merkt schon, dieses kleine Buch hat wirklich viel zu bieten.
Wenn dieses Buch eines klarmacht, dann das jeder eine Prinzessin sein kann. Dass dieser Aspekt dann auch noch in schönen Geschichten mit Tiefgang erzählt wird, macht das Ganze nur noch besser. Zwar dürfte das Buch vorwiegend Kinder begeistern, aber ich muss sagen, dass ich mich als Erwachsene hier auch sehr wohlgefühlt habe und neben den Geschichten, auch die wunderschönen Illustrationen sehr genoss.
Um das Ganze noch abzurunden, wurde man im Buch nicht einfach in die Geschichten der 8 Prinzessinnen geworfen, sondern lernte erst einmal eine gute Fee kennen, welche sich fragte, was eigentlich eine fabelhafte Prinzessin wäre. Um dies herauszufinden, schickt sie ihren magischen Spiegel auf eine Reise und sieht dabei was die 8 Prinzessinnen so fabelhaft macht.
Klingt herrlich und war es auch, denn die Geschichten handeln davon wie die verschiedensten Mädchen ihren Mut beweisen, sich Hindernissen stellen und Lösungen zu schwierigen Problemen finden. Ich habe dabei übrigens bewusst das Wort Mädchen benutzt, denn in den meisten Geschichten ging es nun einmal um Mädchen. Aber eben um Mädchen die aus sich herauswuchsen und ihre Schwächen zu Stärken umwandelten. Warum man sie trotzdem Prinzessinnen nennen sollte? Weil diese Mädchen zu Personen wurden, zu denen man gerne aufsah und an denen man sich einfach gerne orientierte. Hier spielte das Aussehen oder der Rang keine Rolle, es ging allein darum zu zeigen, das Prinzessinnen starke Persönlichkeiten sein können.
Passend dazu boten die Geschichten wirklich eine große Vielfalt an Orten und Zeiten. Vom Mittelalter, über afrikanische Staaten bis hin in Moderne, wurde stets ein oder mehrere Mädchen gezeigt, das es etwas für sich oder für andere tat. Abgerundet wurde dies durch einen wirklich sehr leichten Schreibstil, der Emotionen sehr gut vermittelte und stets mit einem AHA-Effekt auftrumpfte. Es war einfach ein großer Spaß sich stellenweise selbst wiederzufinden und z.B. zu erkennen, dass Bücherwürmer eben nicht aus der Art schlagen, sondern mit ihrem Wissen ebenso Stärke zeigen können.
Trotzdem muss ich sagen, das ich von den 8 Geschichten nur 7 wirklich loben kann. Die letzte Geschichte über die Hochhaus-Prinzessin war zwar gut durchdacht, aber fühlte sich dank einer mysteriösen Klavierspielerin einfach sehr befremdlich an.
Kommen wir aber zum Schluss noch zu etwas erfreulichen und das wäre die Aufmachung. Schon das Cover zeigte wunderschöne Aquarell-Zeichnungen, die zwar einfach aber eben wirkungsvoll waren. Im Inneren wurde ich dann aber vollends verzaubert. Neben den Geschichten gab es nämlich haufenweise Illustrationen zu entdecken, bei denen die eine schöne war als die Andere. Besonders gelungen fand ich dabei das der Titel jeder Geschichte im Stile des Covers gestaltetet wurde. Natürlich an jede Prinzessin angepasst. Man merkt schon, dieses kleine Buch hat wirklich viel zu bieten.
Wenn dieses Buch eines klarmacht, dann das jeder eine Prinzessin sein kann. Dass dieser Aspekt dann auch noch in schönen Geschichten mit Tiefgang erzählt wird, macht das Ganze nur noch besser. Zwar dürfte das Buch vorwiegend Kinder begeistern, aber ich muss sagen, dass ich mich als Erwachsene hier auch sehr wohlgefühlt habe und neben den Geschichten, auch die wunderschönen Illustrationen sehr genoss.
January 10, 2021
8 different feel-good stories involving persistent princesses and a magic mirror.
July 3, 2020
Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha Farrant, Illustrated by Lydia Corry, 224 pages. Norton Young Readers, 2020. $20.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
An enchantress has just been asked to be the godmother of a baby princess. The parents asked her to help their daughter become an “excellent princess.” This leads the enchantress to wonder what makes a princess “excellent.” To find out the answer, she transforms her magic mirror into a compact mirror and sends it out into the world to observe princesses. The mirror is passed from princess to princess through time and location, getting lost for centuries before the enchantress finds it again. Luckily, even though centuries have passed, for the enchantress, time moves differently so only a short time has passed from when she sent out the mirror. The mirror witnesses the lives of eight princesses, who each have unique challenges and characteristics. The story ends with the insight the mirror gains after its observations.
Farrant's tale had a magical, fairy-tale feel to it, mixed with a girl-power message. There were nods to classic fairy-tales, but the stories were original, making it an engaging book. Before reading, I worried that each story would have the same message, but I felt that each princess and each story was unique and taught a lesson I didn’t expect. I also appreciated that the princesses didn’t always solve their problems immediately, and some of their problems were self created. The novel contained girl-power messages, but really emphasized that there isn’t only one right way to be an excellent person. Overall, I enjoyed the stories, and I found that a few of them were exceptionally heartwarming and engaging. While the novel has a clear message, the story refrains from being didactic or overbearing. In addition to the stories, I feel that the illustrations would give this book high audience appeal—the cover is part of why I picked it up—and the illustrations were appealing throughout. I would give this book as a gift to my nieces, and I wouldn’t mind reading it aloud to them because it also had playful language that I think adults would enjoy.
Marinda Q., HS Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
An enchantress has just been asked to be the godmother of a baby princess. The parents asked her to help their daughter become an “excellent princess.” This leads the enchantress to wonder what makes a princess “excellent.” To find out the answer, she transforms her magic mirror into a compact mirror and sends it out into the world to observe princesses. The mirror is passed from princess to princess through time and location, getting lost for centuries before the enchantress finds it again. Luckily, even though centuries have passed, for the enchantress, time moves differently so only a short time has passed from when she sent out the mirror. The mirror witnesses the lives of eight princesses, who each have unique challenges and characteristics. The story ends with the insight the mirror gains after its observations.
Farrant's tale had a magical, fairy-tale feel to it, mixed with a girl-power message. There were nods to classic fairy-tales, but the stories were original, making it an engaging book. Before reading, I worried that each story would have the same message, but I felt that each princess and each story was unique and taught a lesson I didn’t expect. I also appreciated that the princesses didn’t always solve their problems immediately, and some of their problems were self created. The novel contained girl-power messages, but really emphasized that there isn’t only one right way to be an excellent person. Overall, I enjoyed the stories, and I found that a few of them were exceptionally heartwarming and engaging. While the novel has a clear message, the story refrains from being didactic or overbearing. In addition to the stories, I feel that the illustrations would give this book high audience appeal—the cover is part of why I picked it up—and the illustrations were appealing throughout. I would give this book as a gift to my nieces, and I wouldn’t mind reading it aloud to them because it also had playful language that I think adults would enjoy.
Marinda Q., HS Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
September 30, 2022
What a fun book! This follows eight princesses over the course of hundreds of years and across various lands as they realize how to be true to themselves and go after their dreams. There's a girl who raises a crocodile to be her friend, one who dreams of sailing the seas regardless of what's expected of her, and a group of friends who put on a benefit concert to stop the city from paving over their community garden. All of these girls are strong and I love a story about girls who rise up.
I wish these were a bit longer so we could really dive in, but it was a good time.
I wish these were a bit longer so we could really dive in, but it was a good time.
March 20, 2021
An enchantress is asked to be godmother to a newborn princess, and to help her become an excellent princess -- but she doesn't know what exactly makes a princess excellent, so she sends her magic mirror on a journey, to observe other excellent princesses, so she can advise her new goddaughter.
This book takes a look at princesses all over the globe, from ancient times to modern, in the form of stories about each one. They're short, but all unique and special. The illustrations are magical. This would be the perfect gift for a young girl, or anyone who likes middle-grade books and fairy tales.
This book takes a look at princesses all over the globe, from ancient times to modern, in the form of stories about each one. They're short, but all unique and special. The illustrations are magical. This would be the perfect gift for a young girl, or anyone who likes middle-grade books and fairy tales.
March 15, 2021
A sweet little collection of stories tied together by a magic mirror. The illustrations were lovely, and the overall morals of the stories were clear without being patronizing. I liked that the princesses featured in each tale were diverse, in addition to being brave and stubborn and generous. I'd recommend this book happily to middle readers (some of the stories were a little harsh for very young readers).
April 5, 2021
Das Buch hat leider am Anfang und Ende für mich ein paar Schwächen. Daher schwanke ich zwischen 3 und 4 Sternen. Die erste Geschichte lässt an Rittern kein gutes Haar. Bei aller Emanzipation, das finde ich nicht in Ordnung. Und das dann auch noch an den Anfang zu setzen war doch eine unglückliche Wahl. An sich sind die Geschichten schön. Eine nette Lektüre.
September 26, 2022
I really liked these stories. I liked how each was similar but also different and felt special in their own way.
The older narrating style was hard to get into at first, but after a couple of stories, it felt pretty natural.
The older narrating style was hard to get into at first, but after a couple of stories, it felt pretty natural.
April 19, 2020
This is a lovely fairytale story book with eight different stories within, all surrounding the same theme of the mirror. This book could be used as a read aloud book for lower KS2 children. After reading the book, children could write their own fairytale story including the mirror to add to the collection.
July 25, 2021
Loved this book!
It’s like cloud atlas for children. Feminist fairy tales. Yes, let’s make stories centre around girls. Princesses are not fluffy, pathetic pink things waiting for a prince for their happily ever afters; they’re sailors and explorers, horse whispers and warriors.
I loved the way the mirror connects all the stories and how marvellously different all the princesses were. I loved the mix of magic and wisdom and how the fairytale troupes got turned on their heads.
Great, great book!
It’s like cloud atlas for children. Feminist fairy tales. Yes, let’s make stories centre around girls. Princesses are not fluffy, pathetic pink things waiting for a prince for their happily ever afters; they’re sailors and explorers, horse whispers and warriors.
I loved the way the mirror connects all the stories and how marvellously different all the princesses were. I loved the mix of magic and wisdom and how the fairytale troupes got turned on their heads.
Great, great book!
July 28, 2022
3.5 stars
I really like the prose and the overall vibe this gives off. I didn't think the Enchantress stories were necessary or even that enjoyable, but I seem to remember thinking the rest were good.
I really like the prose and the overall vibe this gives off. I didn't think the Enchantress stories were necessary or even that enjoyable, but I seem to remember thinking the rest were good.
April 29, 2020
Eight Princesses and Magic Mirror is a delightful and diverse book about what it takes to be a princess. An enchantress is chosen to be a baby princess' godmother. She promises to help her new godchild be an excellent princess, but then she realizes she doesn't know exactly what that means, so she send her magic mirror on a journey to discover what makes a princess excellent because:
"Pretty, tidy, and kind to animals.
It wasn't enough."
The mirror's journey takes it to many different places, and we meet eight very different princesses. They don't fit the mold of traditional princess stories. One wants to sail the seas. Another keeps a crocodile as a pet. Another braves a witch to save her sister's life when her sister's suitors fail.
This is a really lovely book. The stories are charming and show girls that there are many different ways they can live (princess or not). It's an important and powerful message for young girls. The princesses in these stories are all individuals who go against stereotypes and blaze their own trails. The illustrations are gorgeous and add a lot to the stories.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
"Pretty, tidy, and kind to animals.
It wasn't enough."
The mirror's journey takes it to many different places, and we meet eight very different princesses. They don't fit the mold of traditional princess stories. One wants to sail the seas. Another keeps a crocodile as a pet. Another braves a witch to save her sister's life when her sister's suitors fail.
This is a really lovely book. The stories are charming and show girls that there are many different ways they can live (princess or not). It's an important and powerful message for young girls. The princesses in these stories are all individuals who go against stereotypes and blaze their own trails. The illustrations are gorgeous and add a lot to the stories.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 15, 2023
De stralende illustraties haalden me over dit boek van de nieuw display te pakken in de bieb, om het thuis te lezen. Door het boek heen vond ik de illustraties ook subliem. Van de sprookjes had ik meer verwacht. Het zijn best aardige verhalen, over meisjes en prinsessen door allerlei eeuwen. De verhalen vond ik vooral braaf en zoetsappig. Daarnaast kwam het me nogal gekunsteld over hoe de spiegel alle verhalen aaneen reeg. Misschien kwam het ook door de vertaling naar het Nederlands dat er een extra gekunsteldheid in de sprookjes is geslopen. Mijn conclusie: wel oké boek, magere verhalen met fantastische illustraties.
April 19, 2021
A fun easy read about what truly makes a princess. Is it the fancy dresses? Or is it her being brave, honorable, and true? SO SO good and female positive for young middle grade readers. I think 2-4 grade is perfect for this book. And the continuity of a magic mirror throughout each of the eight stories was perfection.
April 6, 2020
This lovely fairy tale is eight stories in one, all revolving around a theme of what makes a princess excellent. The stories are beautifully written and the illustrations are wonderful. This would make a terrific read aloud and independent readers will like the short chapters.
June 30, 2020
DNF'd 30%
February 5, 2021
This book was a delight. I loved all the princess tales (especially the Crodile and Exile ones) and the illustrations by Lydia Corry were perfection. It added such a fun layer to the stories.
January 2, 2022
Princesses who have adventures and save themselves. I love it!
March 12, 2022
Amazing book with a magical story
January 3, 2023
Beautiful on many levels.
April 23, 2024
82%
a collection of stories about princesses around the world, all connect by a magic mirror
a collection of stories about princesses around the world, all connect by a magic mirror
March 1, 2020
A perfectly fine, sweet, empowering series of tales, connected by a magical mirror. But the gorgeous illustrations make this a truly sumptuous, delightful book.
June 2, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Norton Young Readers through NetGalley.
A soon to be Godmother ponders what it means to be a princess. So, the Enchantress asks her Magic Mirror who does not have the answer either. She casts a spell and sends the mirror into the universe to observe princesses and come back with answers about what they're like. In compact form, the mirror observes eight different princesses in different time periods and has plenty of adventures of its own. The eight stories are bookended with tales with the Enchantress and Magic Mirror. In the end, they decide that princesses are best helped by allowing them to be who they are meant to be.
Farrant brings a fresh style to the fairy tale genre. She offers princesses that modern readers will relate to. The various princesses take risks and find allies to explore their worlds. Looking forward to sharing these adventurous women with our students.
A soon to be Godmother ponders what it means to be a princess. So, the Enchantress asks her Magic Mirror who does not have the answer either. She casts a spell and sends the mirror into the universe to observe princesses and come back with answers about what they're like. In compact form, the mirror observes eight different princesses in different time periods and has plenty of adventures of its own. The eight stories are bookended with tales with the Enchantress and Magic Mirror. In the end, they decide that princesses are best helped by allowing them to be who they are meant to be.
Farrant brings a fresh style to the fairy tale genre. She offers princesses that modern readers will relate to. The various princesses take risks and find allies to explore their worlds. Looking forward to sharing these adventurous women with our students.
February 5, 2021
I really loved listening to this. Each story was different enough to keep things interesting, but the messages were easy enough to pick apart. I would recommend this to younger kids, 1-4th grades, especially those looking to defy the old princess stereotype in favor of stronger, more active girls taking their futures into their own hands.
May 6, 2020
This was absolutely beautiful in every possible way! What a lovely little collection of stories about strong princesses from around the world, connected loosely by a magic mirror that finds its way to each one of them. The synopsis kind of generalizes what each girl does, but these princesses do much more in each of their stories than you could explain in one sentence - they are brave, bright girls with many varied talents, interests, and attributes.
Each story was very different - some more based in fantasy, like the princess who switches places with a fairy, and some are more realistic, like the princess who saves the community garden outside her apartment. Some princesses are focused on family, some want to go adventuring, some stand up bravely against wrongdoings. Honestly, I'm not sure I can pick a favorite - I loved each story and each princess for different reasons.
The time periods and areas these girls come from are rarely specifically identified, but I tried to piece it together based on clues like character names and descriptions of places. There was a medieval princess, a Middle Eastern princess, an African princess, a Latin American princess, and perhaps Russian princesses (definitely reminded me of the Romanovs) who fled to France, but I guessed on the others: Ireland, Scotland, and a big city like New York, maybe?
I can easily see this book being read aloud for bedtime or otherwise, and asked for repeatedly. I've read a lot of collections of stories in the "strong girls/princesses" category, so my expectations for this were not super high, but I was absolutely blown away. I would highly recommend this for any bright, brave, adventurous princess's bookshelf. (And I'll be reading this to my little prince too, when he's old enough.)
Final verdict: I'm obsessed with it! I thought this book was amazing! It's now officially one of my favorite books! I shall be shouting about it from the rooftops for days and I am currently recommending it to everyone I come in contact with!
{ Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for providing me with a review copy. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }
Each story was very different - some more based in fantasy, like the princess who switches places with a fairy, and some are more realistic, like the princess who saves the community garden outside her apartment. Some princesses are focused on family, some want to go adventuring, some stand up bravely against wrongdoings. Honestly, I'm not sure I can pick a favorite - I loved each story and each princess for different reasons.
The time periods and areas these girls come from are rarely specifically identified, but I tried to piece it together based on clues like character names and descriptions of places. There was a medieval princess, a Middle Eastern princess, an African princess, a Latin American princess, and perhaps Russian princesses (definitely reminded me of the Romanovs) who fled to France, but I guessed on the others: Ireland, Scotland, and a big city like New York, maybe?
I can easily see this book being read aloud for bedtime or otherwise, and asked for repeatedly. I've read a lot of collections of stories in the "strong girls/princesses" category, so my expectations for this were not super high, but I was absolutely blown away. I would highly recommend this for any bright, brave, adventurous princess's bookshelf. (And I'll be reading this to my little prince too, when he's old enough.)
Final verdict: I'm obsessed with it! I thought this book was amazing! It's now officially one of my favorite books! I shall be shouting about it from the rooftops for days and I am currently recommending it to everyone I come in contact with!
{ Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for providing me with a review copy. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }
August 11, 2020
What a wonderful book of stories!! I know this came out in may, but I won an arc through a Goodreads giveaway, and it only just arrived last week.
As for the proof-ness of it (lol), it seemed really well put together. All the beautiful illustrations were included (or, it seemed like there was the proper amount). As far as I can tell, the only things missing were the copyright page and acknowledgements.
I loved all these stories, and just when I thought I'd found my favorite princess, the next one became my favorite, and the next, and... Haha 😊 they're all such lovely characters!
I think this is the type of book you need to go into knowing exactly what it is. I went into it knowing(/remembering 😅) it was an illustrated book of feminist fairytale retellings. That they were connected by a magic mirror was a part of forgotten, as I started referring to this as "8 princesses", so it was a nice surprise when it started out with the enchantress bit. It's listed as juvenile fiction on the back, but I think it's a sweet comfort read for all ages. Hell, I'm 36 and I loved every second of it!
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters, which also brought diverse settings. Some of the illustrations show more traditional clothing, and I'm not sure if it would be offensive to any reader of any areas/cultures represented. No time periods are specifically mentioned, so I'm inclined to think everything (names, places, dress, etc) are just well researched and not offensive. It was also fun to recognize certain elements of well known fairy tales in each story, but none of them were strict retellings of just one tale.
This is a short book with lots of very short stories - don't expect in-depth character studies. Each princess shows her personality and her heart, and we get to see who she is through her actions and her responses. I also loved hearing everything the mirror had learned by the end!
I know this book has been out in the world for a while, but it really was lovely. It's definitely the sort of pick me up we all need right now. This is the sort of book I will keep by my bedside to reread on a bad day!! Very highly recommended 😻
Thank you again to Goodreads and Norton young readers for giving away so many arc copies! This sort of book is needed by so many.
As for the proof-ness of it (lol), it seemed really well put together. All the beautiful illustrations were included (or, it seemed like there was the proper amount). As far as I can tell, the only things missing were the copyright page and acknowledgements.
I loved all these stories, and just when I thought I'd found my favorite princess, the next one became my favorite, and the next, and... Haha 😊 they're all such lovely characters!
I think this is the type of book you need to go into knowing exactly what it is. I went into it knowing(/remembering 😅) it was an illustrated book of feminist fairytale retellings. That they were connected by a magic mirror was a part of forgotten, as I started referring to this as "8 princesses", so it was a nice surprise when it started out with the enchantress bit. It's listed as juvenile fiction on the back, but I think it's a sweet comfort read for all ages. Hell, I'm 36 and I loved every second of it!
I enjoyed the diversity of the characters, which also brought diverse settings. Some of the illustrations show more traditional clothing, and I'm not sure if it would be offensive to any reader of any areas/cultures represented. No time periods are specifically mentioned, so I'm inclined to think everything (names, places, dress, etc) are just well researched and not offensive. It was also fun to recognize certain elements of well known fairy tales in each story, but none of them were strict retellings of just one tale.
This is a short book with lots of very short stories - don't expect in-depth character studies. Each princess shows her personality and her heart, and we get to see who she is through her actions and her responses. I also loved hearing everything the mirror had learned by the end!
I know this book has been out in the world for a while, but it really was lovely. It's definitely the sort of pick me up we all need right now. This is the sort of book I will keep by my bedside to reread on a bad day!! Very highly recommended 😻
Thank you again to Goodreads and Norton young readers for giving away so many arc copies! This sort of book is needed by so many.
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