Princesses Can Fix It!

by Tracy Marchini, Julia Christians (Illustrator)

The castle is crawling with wayward alligators, and the clueless king doesn’t know how to fix it. Lila, Margaret, and Harriet have lots of ideas, but their father won’t listen! According to him, the Princesses should be focusing on proper pursuits like drawing, jewelry, and music. When the three girls start falling asleep during the day, the King sends the Prince to investigate …

What he discovers is that the three princesses are gathering at night to use their knowledge of the six simple machines to invent an ingenious alligator removal contraption in their secret workshop.

This STEAM-focused take on the classic fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses includes fun illustrations bursting with hilarious detail (and alligators), zany characters, and three inspiring princesses who know that they have what takes to save the day.

Genres: Picture Books, Princesses, Stem, Childrens, Science, Construction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 4, 2021

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun one, where solutions aren't easy or quick, but if you enjoy what you're doing, you stick with it! Also, I love that all the kids in this are choosing what they like--it doesn't need to be either/or, all/nothing--they enjoy the hobbies they enjoy.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the king's 3 princesses start falling asleep in their oatmeal and during the day, he sends a prince to investigate.
The king has another dilemma: the alligators have gotten out of the moat and are running all over the castle.

The Princesses spend their nights, so as not to upset the king, using their planning, sketching and engineering skills to craft together a contraption to take care of the moat 'gators.

The Dancing Princesses is retold featuring great humor, delightful illustrations showcasing a diversified trio of princesses and naturally S.T.E.A.M., specifically in the Princesses' end result, which is equally as fun as it is funny.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trio of problem-solving princesses invent, experiment and engineer a solution that sends the King's wayward alligators back to where they belong. A fun reminder that STEM is for everyone, even princesses!

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a "why not both?" story! These princesses like jewelry and art and music AND they like engineering and science and experimenting, and one of these interests does not take away from another.

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this adorable STEAM book, we meet princesses Margaret, Harriet, and Lila. They're princesses with engineering skills and they want to help the king with his problem: getting the alligators back into the moat! But the king believes proper princesses shouldn't build things, so the princesses work long nights using their engineering skills (and simple machines) to build a solution! This book is a fun reminder that anyone can achieve anything if they work at it. Highly recommended for all homes, schools, and libraries!

[Danielle T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve Dancing Princesses, but make it three and about alligators in the palace.

[Rainbow Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princesses Can Fix It! follows the Princesses Margaret, Harriet, and Lila as they attempt to help their father solve his alligator problem. The King does not approve of princesses who build, invent, or experiment, but fortunately, the Princesses have a secret lab where they get to work on a solution for the alligator problem.

As the Princesses toil away day after day, showing up for breakfast sleepier and sleepier, the Prince (who has his own problems with their father’s gender stereotypes) tries to provide the King with proof of the Princesses inventions. Despite the King’s doubt, the Princesses come up with the perfect solution to get all the alligators back in the moat—the King sees the error of his ways and allows all of his children to be themselves unapologetically.

Sure to please lovers of fairy tales, science, and technology, Princesses Can Fix It! is a wonderful selection to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage more modern ideas about gender roles. The illustrations by Julia Christians are absolutely delightful! They are so expressive and capture the personalities of each character, even the alligators.

I would also like to thank Page Street Kids for sending me a copy of Princesses Can Fix It! It was such a treat!

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[Nova Wassmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Princesses Can Fix It’ is a fun story of three princesses, a young prince and a kind but oblivious King. The castle is overrun with alligators and the King has no way to get them back into the moat. The princesses insist they can find a solution and fix it but the King won't hear them out. He believes that princesses cannot invent or build so he does not allow them to fix the alligator issue. They proceed to come up with a plan anyway and the prince as well wants to prove the King wrong so he can continue his passion of sewing. All four of them have the desire to prove themselves to the King. The princesses want to show him they can be creative and artistic but also smart and handy. The prince wants to show that he can be princely but still wants to sew as well. They all have a strong desire to pursue their dreams no matter what the King says. Bishops’ “Mirrors Windows and Sliding Glass Doors brought up a good point of diversity inclusion in children's books. The three princesses all were different races with different hair, skin tone and hobbies. I think this book can really help children get a visual representation of themselves doing important things. The reading states how “ we can find a book and help change that child’s life” ( Bishop 2). I think this is incredibly accurate because giving children the opportunity to see themselves in a different light than what they are always being told is so necessary. They need to be able to know that they can be anything they want no matter what they look like or who they are.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multicultural princesses use STEM skills to solve problems -- what more could you ask for? My 4 year old's first question after finishing this book: "What's a pulley? Can we make a pulley?"

[Charlotte Offsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this hilarious new picture book! It is full of heart, humor, and engineering princesses! It is the story of a king with an alligator problem and his three daughters who are convinced they can fix it but their father just won’t listen and believes that princesses should behave like.. well princesses. This lively story shows that princesses don’t have to fit in a box and can be anything they want. This is one every parent and teacher should add to their shelves, it had my kids asking to read it again and opened the door to important conversations around gender roles. Please note that I was fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of this beautiful new book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jocelyn Rish · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming story about being true to yourself and your interests. The King's alligators have escaped from the moat, and his three princesses want to use their STEM skills to put them back. However, the King doesn't think that's something for proper princesses to do, so each night the princesses sneak out of bed to work on their alligator-returning contraption. They use levers and pulleys and wedges to show that princesses can indeed fix it - and do anything they want! Tracy Marchini turns the fairy tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses on its head with delightful characters and their can-do attitude. And Julia Christians's vivid illustrations are hilarious with the alligators up to all kinds of shenanigans throughout the pages.

[Chelsea DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princesses Can Fix It has a very funny premise. “Wayward alligators” are crawling around the castle and the king is clueless as to how to fix the problem! His three intelligent and handy daughters, Lila, Margaret, and Harriet have a plan. But, the king doesn’t think it’s a proper job for “princesses” to handle. So, after going to bed, the princesses sneak out to their secret workshop where they design the perfect contraption to solve the alligator issue. The illustrations are a perfect addition to this savvy hilarious tale.

I thought it was interesting to learn the inspiration of the story was from The Twelve Dancing Princesses, (a classic and beautifully illustrated fairytale.) This story was a nice modern take on our everyday princesses and their endless possibilities!

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The king has a problem. Alligators from the moat keep invading the castle. He needs a solution fast, but when his three princess daughters offer to help, the king rebuffs them believing princesses should only do princess things--play music, make jewelry, and draw. Luckily for him, the girls rebuff his rebuff and set out to secretly solve the problem using their princess skills to invent, experiment, and build the perfect solution. In this delightfully empowering tale Marchini and Christians break the mold on what it means to be a princess. Highly recommend this hilarious STEM story amplifying "girl power"!

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever have an alligator problem, I know just who to call. When the king finds that the alligators are not in their moat anymore, the three princesses work on a plan to return them. But the king won't listen. After all, getting alligators back into the moat is a job fit for a king, not princesses! Follow Marchini's delightful words and Christians's fabulous illustrations as the princesses build, experiment, and invent in order to solve the alligator problem. I definitely recommend this funny STEAM (science, technology, art, math) story to all who believe we each deserve to be who we are.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s a king to do with an alligator problem? The king believes that it’s his job to get his uncooperative alligators back in the moat. Well, his three determined princesses, who like to build, invent, and experiment, and his prince, who likes to sews, set out to show their father that one’s gender has absolutely nothing to do with getting the job done right. This is a super-fun, steam-focused read that will empower boys and girls alike. And the illustrations are adorable. I highly recommend this book.

[Meera Sriram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A "fresh makeover" for princesses and their portrayals, this is a story of three skilled, problem-solving princesses who come to the King's rescue - when the King has trouble taming his alligators, the princesses design, build, and engineer the perfect solution. Reminiscent of fairy tales, the storytelling is quick paced with refrains that make the read-aloud fun and engaging. And the charming illustrations tie in perfectly with the tone of the text. With an important message delivered with the right amount of hilarity and heart, this story is a must-read for all kids.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is an alligator problem in the castle, and the Princesses know how to fix it! But the King insists that they should spend their time doing “princess” type things like drawing, music, and jewelry making. However, each night the princesses stay up designing, building, and calculating the perfect solution.

Will the princesses finally be able to save the day and prove to the King that they are capable of more? Princesses Can Fix It is the perfect empowering read for everyone while also smashing the stereotype of gender roles while also celebrating the joy of STEM.

[Readreadread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book! The princesses challenge tired gender stereotypes by creating, inventing, and experimenting. They value not only their own abilities but also their freedom to choose: “I know we can.. if we want to!” My favorite part of the story is the author’s inclusion of a prince, who suffers gender stereotypes himself. He also advocates for the princesses. A thoughtful detail showing children that they all have a role and a reason to champion gender equality. Love this one!

[Michal Babay · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you remove alligators from a castle? Just ask these three clever princesses who break stereotypes as they measure, cut, and come up with a solution to the king's alligator problem. This STEM-focused story will appeal to readers of all ages who love a humorous story with strong characters. The illustrations are hilarious (we especially loved the alligators everywhere). Highly recommend this empowering tale!

[Serena Gingold Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love princesses but wish they did more than sit around looking pretty, then this is the book for you! The three princesses in this story are full of ideas and work hard to solve a difficult problem that the king can’t solve. They’re determined, creative, and won’t take no for an answer. By working together, they prove that princesses can do it all. This book is a great read with a terrific message.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Page Street Kids through US Book Shop.
An encouraging story about three princesses who want to be themselves. Their father, the King, doesn't understand that they can do so much more than "princess" things until they solve the alligators in the castle problem with their invention. In the end, everyone is happy to be themselves.
Lovely and detailed illustrations support the text.

[AEB · Rating 5 out of 5]

The castle has an alligator problem, and the king can't figure out how to get the pesky animals back in the moat. The princesses have ideas on how to fix it, but the king won't listen. The princesses are forced to take matters into their own hands. Using their interests and strengths, the princesses form and execute a plan--finally ridding the castle of the alligators. This book reminds us that when we allow others to be themselves, everyone wins.

[Kate Allen Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brings such a wonderfully lighthearted approach to encouraging girls to tinker to their hearts' content. The STEM elements of the book are subtly woven throughout the text and kids of all genders will love the plot, which involves a moat, an alligator, and some serious problem-solving. Highly-recommend!

[Sophia Gholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book weaves STEM elements, princesses, and a can-do attitude in a fun story for all! When the king believes his daughters are only supposed to do “proper princess things” his daughters quickly prove him wrong as they put their problem-solving skills to the test and help their dad with an issue around the castle. A great addition to all bookshelves and libraries!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of the 12 dancing princesses where the princesses instead stay up all night making inventions (to rid the castle of an alligator problem). The simple machine inclusion was decent, but the delivery felt a little didactic. And the sewing prince is introduced but then didn't feel like that became a part of the plot?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three princesses are way more interested in simple machines and solving the castle's alligator problem than they are doing traditional "princess-y" things. I loved this break from the traditional princess story and as well as the inclusion of science principles. I was a little baffled by the introduction of the prince who loves sewing but never really gets developed...

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever riff on the 12 Dancing Princesses story with STEM component, this book will delight girls of all ages. It's got a fun refrain and a wonderful empowerment theme along with strong-personality characters made alive with cute illustrations. I only wish there was some resolution for the prince besides in the illustrations but since the book is not about him, it'll have to do.

[Meghan Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this STEM-focused fairytale and all of its gender stereotype bucking. Marchini has engineered a truly awesome take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses, and Christians brings it home with her fantastic illustrations, including the pink mustachioed king!

[Nicholas Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princesses Can Fix It is a terrific book combining fairy tales and engineering. I love that the princesses don’t let expectations define them. We can be whatever we want to be! And who doesn’t love a king with pink hair?!

[Anne Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you have an alligator problem in the castle? You get three princesses to fix it! Princesses Can Fix It is a lighthearted, STEM_focused story about a group of princesses who use their talent, intelligence and confidence to save the day.