Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Princess in Black by Shannon & Dean Hale, Book Review


By: Shannon Hale & Dean Hale
Illustrated by: LeUyen Pham
Published by: Candlewick Press
Released on: October 14th, 2014
Series: The Princess in Black #1
Source: Purchased book
Ages: 4 & up
Rating: 5 Owls - We Loved It!
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
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Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? 


From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

This is a fabulous beginning reader. It's action packed, and easy to read. Unlike some easy to read books, this book's pages contain the right amount of easy to read words. I felt like each of the words are ones first and second graders should easily be able to read. Each page contains great illustrations that will keep readers engaged with the story. 

My daughter and I loved this book. It's full of adventure, heart, and the best part, is that it is about Princess Magnolia. Princess Magnolia is not a normal Princess. I mean, she is a Princess, and she wears the things you'd except a Princess to wear, and she does the things you'd excerpt a Princess to do. But, she has a secret. Princess Magnolia is also, the Princess in Black.

The Princess in Black is not afraid of anything. Unlike Princess Magnolia who wears Pink, the Princess in Black wears all black. Since Princess Magnolia lives close to wear the monsters live, it's up to the Princess in Black to stop them. When a big Blue Monster tries to take some goats, it's up to the Princess in Black to save the day. Luckily she doesn't have to face the monsters alone. She has her trusted horse by her side. And yes, he too has his own disguise.

I love that the story is about a girl who can be both a Princess and a great heroine. It shows kids that they can be whomever they want to, and have fun doing it. My daughter identified  with Princess Magnolia, as she loves to dress up as a Princess, as well as done a mask, and dress up in cape, and save the day.  

This is a fantastic book, and one I'd highly recommend picking up. Don't let the beginning reader comment throw you off. This is a fabulous chapter book I think fans of all ages will enjoy. I won't tell you my age, but it's long past the beginning reader stage, and I loved it, and I look forward to reading it again. It's no surprise that it ended up on the New York Times Best Sellers List. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. 

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~