Once Upon a Fairy Tale #4: The Snoring Princess: A Branches Book

Once Upon a Fairy Tale #4

by Anna Staniszewski

bKara and Zed are on an adventure to awaken a sleepwalking princess, in this twisted fairy tale series from Anna Staniszewski! /bPick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Kara and Zed have a new mystery to solve! Princess Rosa's palace has been under a sleeping spell for one hundred years, and the spell is set to end tonight. But Princess Rosa has gone missing! And if she's not back by sunset, the spell will start all over again. It's up to Kara and Zed -- along with two fairies who live at the palace -- to find the princess and bring her home! Magic, friendship, and adventure come together in the adorable Once Upon a Fairy Tale series, featuring black-and-white illustrations on every page.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Chapter Books, Fairy Tales, Mystery, Juvenile

Paperback

About the author

Anna Staniszewski lives in the Boston area and teaches in the MFA Writing for Children Program at Simmons University. She's the author of over twenty books for young readers, including the The Dirt Diary series and Clique Here series, the picture books DOGOSAURUS REX and BEAST IN SHOW, and the Once Upon a Fairy Tale chapter book series. You can visit Anna at www.annastan.com or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/annastanisz.

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another cute book in the Once Upon a Fairy Tale series. We read them out of order because books 2 and 3 were no longer on Scholastic book club. You don't need to read them in order though; we didn't feel confused at all.

The chapters are nice and short just like the first book, and it's a fun twist on Sleeping Beauty. I like Kara's problem solving and her goofy friend Zed. It's a great bedtime book since the chapters aren't too long and is a great book for kids just starting to read chapter books. There's pictures throughout which usually help with the context of the story also.

Overall, we enjoy these books. I like that they are entertaining enough to keep my 3 year old interested also. Although, I do usually have to point out the pictures and ask her questions along the way to keep her involved.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kara and Zed are out hunting for Zed's missing messenger bag, when they stumble across the castle of Sleeping Beauty. But the soundly sleeping Princess Rosa is missing! The time is almost up for the curse, and if she isn't back in the castle by sundown the poor castle residents have to snooze for another 100 years. Can Kara and Zed find the wayward Sleeping Beauty?

This was a fun new take on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. What if the princess were a sleep walker? Of course, that's not all that's going on here. Kara and Zed get a good lesson on how to know who you can trust as they hunt for the missing princess. Another great little fairy tale mystery with Zed and Kara! Hand this to fractured fairy tale fans and arm chair sleuths.

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our family read these books together at the end of the night. This book made us stop a lot and guess what was going on and what would happen next. I enjoyed the other stories in the series but this was probably me least favorite. But my kids enjoyed guessing what would happen next and seeing if they were right. We made this story more interactive so that all of us would enjoy it.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kara and Zed wander into Princess Rosa's sleeping kingdom to discover that the princess is missing! If she wakes up outside the castle, the 100 years of sleep will start over. Kara and Zed follow the clues to find Princess Rosa.

A fun mystery for children in the lower grades!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zed has lost his magical mail bag but found a pig who is good at sniffing for things. They stumble upon sleeping beauty's Castle... But where is sleeping beauty? And what is up with the fairies who are caring for the castle while everyone is sleeping? An interesting little mystery.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable!!

[Rebecca Vogelezang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my class of 1st graders and they enjoyed it quite a bit! There is a betrayal in the story that no one in my class saw coming. Overall, a funny and charming take on a classic tale!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the characters