The Secret Lives of Princesses - Hardcover

Lechermeier, Philippe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1402766777 ISBN 13: 9781402766770

Publisher: Union Square Kids, 2010

Synopsis

Go beyond Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella! Some princesses are well-known to all children but others, equally magical (and sometimes, a lot funnier) have remained anonymous, mysterious, and far from the fairy-tale crowd.

Now these captivating ladies are finally stepping out of the shadows where they’ve remained hidden for far too long. With wit, sublime humor, and beautiful art, The Secret Lives of Princesses introduces a bevy of royal daughters to the court of young readers.  While it alludes to some of their more famous sisters, this large and lusciously illustrated compendium presents such unique and unforgettable characters as the petite Princess Claire Voyant, who can see very far into tomorrow (but muddles her predictions); Princess Oblivia, who forgets everything and misses all her appointments; Princess Tangra-La, who does the tango, the fandango, and any dance that comes her way; and Princess Babbling Brooke, who chatters on and on about everything and nothing. Plus, you’ll learn about such princessy matters as the language of fans; coats of arms; and how not to offend dangerous fairies who cast evil spells.

Poetic, often humorous, and always enchanting, this is the perfect collection for princess-loving girls who long for more than just the traditional fairy tale.

 

About this title

About the Author:

The author of several children's books, Philippe Lechermeier also teaches French and history. As a student, he worked several odd jobs and says he grew up a "dreamer, lonely, one foot on earth, the other on the moon." He is married and has two children. Rebecca Dautremer has illustrated several children's books. She studied art at Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, where one of her teachers recognized her talent and encouraged Rebecca to specialize in children's book illustrations. She currently lives in Paris with her husband and three children.

From Booklist:

One thing is certain: these ain't no Disney princesses! Au contraire, this French import features about 30 royals who are quirky to a fault. There's Princess Hot-Head, a study in fiery red, who “prefers brandishing a sword to practicing the piano.” And Princess Molly Coddle, cousin to the fussy girl of “Princess and the Pea” fame, who “never hesitates to demand the impossible.” A detailed, imaginative guide—more akin to titles like Wizardology (2005)—this novelty book also features pages devoted to elaborate, witty commentary on proper cradle etiquette; each character's coat of arms; and various palace types. Dautremer's illustrations are perfectly attuned to the mood of each princess' prose portrait, by turns sophisticated and witty and full of odd angles and bizarre details. Princess Do-Re-Mi has the body type of a curvy violin; Princess Oblivia (“She forgets everything”) wears a hat full of holes that leaves blow through. A book to pore over. Grades 4-6. --Karen Cruze

About this edition

• Publisher: Union Square Kids
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1402766777
• ISBN 13: 9781402766770
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 88
• Illustrator: Dautremer Rébecca