Sleeping Brilliant

by Jessica Williams

When Princess Niamh is cursed to sleep for one hundred years, the kingdom is
devastated. What they don’t realise is their princess is brimming with determination and creativity.

Featuring STEM elements this familiar fairy tale quickly turns into a surprising story fit for a generation of princesses and princes who don’t need to be rescued.

32 pages, Paperback

Published June 23, 2020

Reviews

[Shannara]

First and foremost, thank you to Jessica Williams for a princess who is not the same ole princess that we see over and over. Being of mixed race, I always appreciate when the heroine isn’t your typical cookie cutter girl. Sleeping Brilliant is not only an indiscernible race (which I love!), but she’s also super smart.

Second, this story is surprisingly funny and extremely enjoyable!! I wasn’t sure how it was going to go as it starts as all Sleeping Beauty stories starts, but then you find out why it’s called Sleeping Brilliant instead and then the laughter and delight ensues. This will definitely be one I read to my kiddos over and over. This lays out a strong message of intelligence and being a hero in your own story. Definitely a message I can get behind!!! Five stars all the way!! Parents, get this for your kiddo and you’ll be amused while reading it too!!

Thanks to Book Sirens for a free copy of this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Erin]

A modern and clever retelling of the Sleeping Beauty tale. Niamh is cursed by a wicked fairy to prick her finger and fall into a deep sleep for 100 years. When the tragic event happens, a prince comes to rescue her...but "Sleeping Brilliant" doesn't need to be rescued at all! Parents and caregivers who have shunned traditional fairy tales for the sexist tones will be thrilled with how Niamh rigs up a clever contraption to wake herself up, certainly surprising the prince who expected to do just that. Also loved the character diversity in this one!

Thank you to BookSirens for the opportunity to preview a digital version of this book!

[Bhawna Balchandani]

Hahaha! I laughed out loud while reading this one. This is EXACTLY how the 21st century Fairy Tale should be :p

I am very much drawn to picture books and I simply ADORED the pictures as well as the story. Looking forward to reading more of Jessica's books.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic)]

I thought this was a really fun little story to read , definitely a nice twist on a classic fairytale, I didnt expect it to turn out the way that it did but it's a good read for any child

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Siddu]

The story is a 20th century version to Sleeping Beauty story. The best point in the story is how the princess handles the situation, knowing that she was cursed, she grows up building something that will save us from falling asleep for 100 years. This is surely a very well modernized version of the fairy tale, inspiring and appreciate.
The reason I gave it 3 stars is the fact that I was missing something in the whole story, as the story seems, the princess is brilliant to plan for something that will keep her awake instead of falling asleep, but if she could break the spell, why was the rest of the kingdom sleeping and why did not she come out to say and show her brilliance. How suddenly did everyone woke up when the prince came to rescue her from her sleep.
The story was a good try and appreciable but for the missing stings, this sure is a very well narrated today's girl story.

[Marcie]

First off, Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney story, and all-time favorite movie.

This book is very close to the plot of the classic movie, but with a twist.

This is a beautifully illustrated and well-written story that doesn't rely on outdated tropes.

This is exactly the sort of story I want my 5 and 7-year-old children to read.

Also, it was a big help to have an author's note with the pronunciation and meaning of the Princess' name.

I would love to have a hard copy of this to see these beautiful illustrations up close and personal.

Thank you to BookSirens for the free copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jane Miller]

Are you a fairy tale fan but not a fan of the stereotyping of females and the insistence that traditions can not be changed? Then this is a book for you and your children. First of all it is refreshing to read a book where the characters primarily have dark skin. I loved that the 13th fairy was not purposely left out. An unfortunate accident lead to a misunderstanding, which as a grandmother/teacher I see as a teachable moment. True to all Sleeping Beauty books our princess does prick her finger and fall asleep. The ending, however, is a truly unique one that you won't want to miss.
I received this book for free and am writing this review voluntarily.

[Laura Miller]

A short and sweet retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty fairytale, but we get people of color in the illustrations, STEM representation, and a kind, smart, self-sufficient princess who doesn't need anyone else to save her. Perfect read-aloud for parents wanting to raise strong, smart AND beautiful girls. I loved the illustrations and the adaptation was charming.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I can't wait until it comes out. I'll be buying my sister, who is a chemist, a copy of this book.

[Jane(Janelba)]

A very charming retelling of Sleeping Beauty but with a twist as the princess is not the stereotypical princess we usually see. Funny and cute story which has a change of direction to the original Sleeping Beauty story we know.

Niamh is a very clever little princess hence the appropriate title Sleeping Brillant.

Beautiful illustrations and very charming.

Thank you to Booksirens for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Aishika Mitra]

I really liked the story as it progressed to be one of a wonderful girl who can save herself. The twist on the tale of Sleeping Beauty impressive. On top of that, I loved the art, especially the fact that the girl was painted in brown rather than being a light-skinned person. I did think that the text formatting could have been a little better, but maybe it is because of the PDF that I read.

Great work, I would love to see more illustrated children's stories from the author.

[April Chauvin]

This was a very cute story, I loved the fact that the princess takes care of her business herself , it makes women look strong as we should look. I love the illustrations are beautiful. I would think any little girl would love this fariy tale.

[Anne]

Sleeping Brilliant is a fun retelling of Sleeping Beauty where Princess Brilliant outsmarts the fairy who cast a spell on her. I enjoyed the story and believe young girls would love how the princess determined her own future and didn't need a prince to save her. Thank you to Book Sirens and the publisher for allowing me to read this story in exchange for an honest review.

[Rosh (on a medical break)]

This is basically the story of Sleeping Beauty with a twist. But oh! What a twist!!!

Niamh the princess is unlike what you have seen in any traditional fairy tale. She is an inventor and loves to read books too. As we know, she is cursed to prick her finger on a spindle on the day she turns fifteen. She does end up pricking her finger and the mandatory prince does arrive to rescue her. But what happens next? Discover by reading this lovely little book.

Pros:
- Fabulous take on the traditional princess tale by making the lead female an independent thinking character.
- The illustrations don’t stick to the traditional white-skinned beauty. I loved the way the characters are drawn. They are all more relatable.

Cons:
- I wish the new take would have had some new spin on the “prick her finger on a spindle” idea. Most children today don’t even know what a spindle is. This could have been a good opportunity to modernise that part of the story as well.
- Plot hole: The parents’ sleeping and awakening part is quite abrupt and isn’t explained in the narrative. Especially if seen in context of the prince’s arrival, the others waking up suddenly makes no sense at all.

All in all, this was a fabulous attempt with minor flaws. A almost perfect fairy tale for the little girls of the 21st century.

I received an advance review copy of the book for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.





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[Amy Moreno]

About half of this book is not your average take on Sleeping Beauty. The first half of the book is exactly what you expect, leading up to the princess falling asleep and the prince coming to rescue her. But then she shows that she is Sleeping Brilliant, not Sleeping Beauty. A nice take on the whole "needing a prince to rescue you" thing, but I kind of wish that the first half of the book was a little more "see, THIS is why she is brilliant, she invented an automatic dragon petter, and a mass seed-planter, and other devices to help her kingdom and sometimes things don't work the way you plan them in your head and that's okay", rather than just "Her name meant brilliant and she only actually ever made a bird feeder and one other device, the end". I just really always want children's books to be unbelievably inspiring and amusing and especially books on STEAM to make children want to go forth and CREATE but this just fell a bit short of inspiring me or the kids to be creative or engaged. It was cute, the illustrations were adorable, but it was definitely more of a cutesy bedtime story than an inspiring go-out-and-do-big-things book that I was expecting and hoping for. It was still worth the read and maybe others will find that spark of inspiration they need.

I received a free ARC to review, but the opinions are all mine (and my two kids').

[Maria Preston]

ok , I loved this sort of re telling of sleeping beauty , but was a cuter tale by far , I loved how it started similar to the usual fairy tale , but ended with a twist that changed it to an original tale , of a happily ever after tale of inventions that saved the day . And the princess who didn't want to waste 100 years to sleeping a curse away .
I have always loved sleeping beauty tales , and at first thought it was going to be the same as the others . But I was pleasantly surprised . I would re read this story to my gran kids . Lovely ending too .
I will definitely read again , and again. I loved it and think kids and parents will love this sleeping beauty retelling .

[Michele]

I had the pleasure to hear the author read this story to an online audience of children. The reading was magical and the interest that it inspired in the children to tell their stories was wonderful. Watching the faces on the computer as the children got drawn into the story of the heroine was a delight. I had to get my own copy of the book so I can share it with more children.

[Cindy Batdorf]

Sleeping Brilliant is a fairy tale with a modern twist for today's young readers.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Charity Bartley Howard]

I recommend this book. It is brilliant. The illustrations fit wonderfully with the story with colors are in a pleasing palette. The author also provided a note to help the reader to pronounce Gaelic name correctly, which was a nice touch. It is a beautiful story with education too including STEM elements. It is a wonderful fairy tale, but not what we expect. It is more.