THE PIEBALD PRINCESS

About this Item

The children's book The Piebald Princess by Joan Balfour Payne is special for its charming story about identity and acceptance, and for its enduring appeal as a vintage children's book with distinctive illustrations. Key aspects of the book include: Charming Narrative: The story centers on a lazy and imperious cat in a cranberry bog who, with the help of hair dye, pretends to be a Siamese princess to impress the other bog folk. The "princess" even spells her fake royal name, Renekrad Riah Sretsevlys, backward from a bottle of "Sylvester's Hair Darkener". Moral Theme: The central message of the story is about self-acceptance and the idea that one is loved and valued for who they truly are, even without a grand, exotic facade. When a flood washes away her disguise, she loses her regal airs and is content to remain a simple "plain cook's cat". Author's Illustrations: The book is both written and illustrated by Payne, who was an award-winning illustrator. The text is accompanied by appealing black-and-white illustrations that are considered a key part of its charm. Nostalgic Appeal: Originally published in 1954 (with later editions in the late 1960s), the book has a significant nostalgic value for those who read it as children. Reviewers from that era praised it as a well-told "make-up story but it's not silly" that appeals to young readers. Its gentle humor and meaningful theme have made it a memorable book for generations of readers.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1727929656446

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE PIEBALD PRINCESS
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good