Fairy Tale about three princes turned into frogs. Read late 1970s/early 1980s.

[Michelle]

I originally read this fairy tale in the late 1970s or early 1980s. It was in a book by itself with beautiful illustrations. It seemed to be a variation on the frog prince, but there were three princesses and three princes. A witch/sorceress turns the three princes into frogs who live in the castle moat. I remember the illustrations were gorgeous. I loved that book so much but since turning it back into the public library I have never been able to find it again.

[CorkyNSam92]

Sounds interesting. Was it published around the time you read it?

[Michelle]

I am not sure. My recollection is that it looked like a new library copy, but I have no way of knowing if it was a reprint.

[Rainbowheart]

I've found several frog fairy tales from that era, but not any with multiple frogs.

The Strange Story of the Frog Who Became a Prince is sort of the opposite of what you described. The Frog Princess has three sons, but they don't turn into frogs. The Princess and Froggie has one frog and a princess.

Did you definitely read your book before 1985?

[Michelle]

Yes, because by 1985 I was a teenager in high school. I read this book no later than 1981 because I remember showing it to my best friend at the time and she moved in 81 or 82.

[Rainbowheart]

Jerome also has a witch and a frog, but the details aren't a match.

Did it seem like a folktale from a particular country?

[Michelle]

I would say generally European but that’s as clear as my memory is. My most clear memory is of the prince-frogs in the moat or under the drawbridge of the castle.