The Twelve Dancing Princesses

I have never really enjoyed the Brothers Grimm's tale about twelve dancing princesses and their tattered slippers (die zertanzten Schuhe, The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes). There really is not all that much "magic" in the tale, and the princesses only admit their nocturnal escapades because they realise that their secret has finally been discovered. Furthermore, the fact that in the original tale, the suitors who are unable to discover the secret of the dancing shoes are executed by the king (and that this known fact does not seem to matter to the twelve princesses, who proceed to callously drug the wine of their hapless suitors), also somewhat bothers me.

I know that there is violence and the threat of the same in many fairy tales (and that the actual executions are ordered by the king, not his daughters), but the attitude of the twelve dancing princesses towards the doomed princes seems quite cold and calculating, a testament to their own vanity and desire for pleasure. On the other hand, I am also aware of the fact that the king has chosen to lock his daughters in their bedchamber at night and am angered by the fact that he would even consider doing such a thing. Maybe the king's original act of absolute parental control could or should be considered as the actual impetus to the princesses' actions, a form of rebellion against parental (patriarchal) authority. However, that still cannot make me accept the fact that the princesses knowingly send potential suitors to their likely doom, simply in order to safeguard their secret dancing.

With that in mind, I actually prefer Marianna Mayer's adaptation of the Grimms' tale, although I do believe that it is a bit text-heavy and more suitable for older children (I could imagine younger children perhaps becoming a bit distracted and losing interest or focus). I think that Mayer has managed to successfully keep the spirit of the original tale, while removing some of its less palatable aspects. There is, fortunately, no longer mention of possible executions, and while the princesses are still rather vain and seemingly bent on pursuing their dancing escapades, they are, in fact, also bewitched and enchanted, no longer simply the calculating, seemingly heartless pleasure seekers of the original tale. When Elise stops Peter from drinking the potion (as told in Marianna Mayer's adaptation), she not only saves him, but also breaks the spell cast upon the princesses themselves (in the Grimms' tale, the princesses are never enchanted or under a spell, they just do not want to give up their secret).

I honestly do not think that I can adequately describe Kinuko Y. Craft's wonderful illustrations. They are evocative, luminous, absorbingly detailed, a perfect complement and addition to Mayer's engaging and flowing narrative. Even children who do not read yet would surely take pleasure poring over the evocative illustrations, which tell the story of the twelve dancing princesses almost as well as the text itself.

This book really does deserve four stars, and if this tale had been a completely original fairy tale, I would have had no qualms whatsoever rating it with four stars (perhaps even five stars, although I do think that the narrative is a bit too long and involved). However, The Twelve Dancing Princesses is clearly an adaptation, a retelling of the original Brothers Grimm tale, and I simply cannot accept the fact that Marianna Mayer has not provided an author's note, or even a short blurb acknowledging her sources. It is not only somewhat academically suspect for her not to have made note of the Grimms' original tale (and even a very short note would have sufficed), it is also somewhat disrespectful of the Brothers Grimm and their legacy. ( )

I didn't care for the story, but the illustrations are beautiful. I appreciate the fact that the young princess had dark hair and amber eyes (it was a nice change). ( )

Every night twelve princesses mysteriously wear out their dancing slippers. Concerned for their welfare, the king asks for someone to help solve the mystery. In return, the person who helps save the princesses gets to marry one of them. Prince after prince enters the castle only to disappear. Finally, a young gardener finds out the truth and helps break the spell. True to form, they all live happily ever after. ( )

Best, Dresses. Evar. ( )

The Twelve Dancing Princesses is an adaptation of a Grimm's Fairy Tale where Peter, a young farmer, is given a task by the King to discover why his daughters' slippers are worn away nightly however they refuse to marry any of the suitors who come before them. If Peter can unravel the mystery of why they have become so cold and distant, he will be allowed to marry one of the maidens. After Peter assembles flower bouquets for the princesses, it is discovered that they emerge from their chamber in the evenings to attend lavish banquets and dance until dawn. Peter frequents one of the dances, and the youngest princess Elise becomes infatuated by him as he is the best suitor she has known. Peter is about to consume a special drink that would cause him to become as pale and sickly as they are when Elise prevents him, thus breaking the bewitching spell with this act of kindness and love and leading to their marriage.
There is no mention or citation of the original source for the folktale. The plot is complicated and confusing at times. The flowery language is not in keeping with the oral tradition. The idea of loving conquering all is evident. The illustrations are the best part of this retelling. The elegant borders and detailed illustrations beg for repeated viewings. The story is probably too long for a read aloud and may be too confusing for most young children. I would recommend this folktale to students in grades 3-6. ( )