Frog Princess, The - Hardcover

Allchin, Rosalind

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1553370007 ISBN 13: 9781553370000

Publisher: Kids Can Press, 2001

Synopsis

Frog has always imagined how wonderful life would be -- if only she were a princess. Now her wish is about to come true. The Prince has lost his golf ball in the palace pond and has promised anything to the one who can find it! But being a princess is not at all what Frog expects. Frog must make public appearances on the royal balcony, at a ship launch and at a jousting tournament -- and all this before lunch! Tired, confused and utterly famished, Frog hopes to find food at the evening ball. When she discovers, with horror, what delicacies are being served, she decides that the life of a princess is not for her. With frogs' legs a-flying (both hers and those on the platters!), Frog makes a quick getaway and returns to her simple life.

About this title

About the Author

Rosalind Allchin is a children’s educator with almost 20 years experience. The Frog Princess is her first picture book. She lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Reviews

Gr 1-3-This tongue-in-cheek take on the Grimms' story turns the tale upside down with a daydreaming female frog that longs for a princess's life. Her dream becomes reality when she rescues a prince's golf ball from the castle pond. True to form, he promises anything for its return and must honor the frog's croaked request, "This ball for your hand in marriage." However, he is fairly clever as well as handsome and convinces the frog to try out royal life "for a day and leave the kiss until midnight." A series of misunderstandings involving courtly etiquette leave the poor princess-for-a-day frazzled and disappointed. Finally, a tray of frogs' legs served at the evening ball is beyond endurance, and it is no surprise when she returns to a frog's world via the nearest open window. While all of the elements of a delightful spoof are available, the story fails to convince. For example, when readers first meet the frog, she is no bigger than a lily pad. Yet, once she encounters the prince and emerges from the water, she is inexplicably as tall as he is. While all of her mistakes in proper behavior are easily explained, they are eventually contrived and tiresome. No frog capable of convincing a prince to marry her could be this naive. Richly hued watercolor illustrations try their best, but they just don't live up to the promise offered by the inviting cover illustration. Ultimately, readers will be as disappointed as the frog.

Alicia Eames, New York City Public Schools

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kids Can Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1553370007
• ISBN 13: 9781553370000
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Allchin Rosalind
• Number of pages: 32