Philippe Lechermeier

The Original French title is literally "Forgotten or Unknown Princesses" and the characters here are only distantly related to the traditional princesses and a far cry from the homogenized Disney sort. I LOVE this book and these quirky princesses and their depth and breadth of character. Perhaps the point is to say that princesses don't have to be anything at all like the ones popular culture would have us believe. Perhaps each of us could be (or actually is?) a princess... or perhaps there show more is no point at all.

Did I mention that I absolutely LOVE this book--the more time I spend with it, the better it seems. It really captures a sense of whimsy and nonconformity. Perhaps it only could have been written by a Frenchie.

I was unsure whether this would be good, or if it was just a gimmick. After spending a while with it, Princesses is a little bit of a treasure. I would love a copy to own. It is a bit exhausting to read every word as you read through, but it rather invites you to delve into the text that accompanies the interesting illustrations and names. Each of the girls in my house has their own favorite princess, including myself.

A simple but nice touch is the different sizes of fonts for different lines and descriptions. It helps the reader attend to different parts. A common trick in many picture books, but especially useful and well done here. show less

Sure, you know all about the fairy tale princesses. There's that Cinderella chick and her pumpkin coach. Another fell asleep for a hundred years or so. And wasn't there one who had crazy-long hair? Sure, you know them.

You don't know these princesses.

Covering a gamut of traits, from Princess Hot-Head to Princess Eelizabeth (not a typo), you will learn all about princesses that you didn't know existed. Each princess has a lovely full-color, full-page portrait and a brief biography. Two of my show more favorites were Princess Paige--"She reads everything she can find: novels, poetry, philosophy, and tall tales"--and Princess of the Disorient--"Her kingdom fits her image: wacky, filled with fools, and complete with nutty celebrations." You know you're intrigued now!

There are more than princesses in this book. There are all kinds of tips on princess behavior and style. Every princess needs a confidante. And exactly how does the fashionable princess outfit her elephant for traveling? This book comes complete with a diagram.

Seriously, I saw a review for this and knew I had to have it. My husband obliged and got it for me for my birthday. Even though I was in the middle of a scavenger hunt for my gifts, I had to stop and pore over this book for a while. And, trust me, nothing comes between me and my presents. I put it down after a few minutes (a lifetime in between gifts!) and went off to finish looking for everything else. When I had time that night, I picked this back up and started reading it again. I was surprised that it was so long. It's 92 fully-illustrated pages! I loved reading everything in it. It was just whimsically perfect for me. I adore the illustrations. At least pick it up if you see it in a bookstore and take a look. I bet you'll fall in love with it too.

Buy this for the princess in your life, whether it's a young daughter, niece, a friend who needs a pick-me-up, or yourself! I just loved it and can't recommend it highly enough. show less

This book reads more like a field guide to princesses than an actual story, but the illustrations are so richly detailed that it belongs firmly in the picture book category.

RESPONSE: This book is amazing. The wordplay is hilarious and full of puns "Princess Claire Voyant" reads tea leaves, for example. The illustrations are full of details that remind me of Where's Waldo book; you can either just find Waldo, or stop and look at all the details and really enjoy the book. This is the same show more thing; if you are unwilling to put the time into the book, you won't be as nearly a big fan as you would be otherwise.

THEMES/CONCEPTS: humor, royalty, wordplay, girl power show less

An amusing tiny little book about princesses that are unknown or have been forgotten, it is organized a little bit like an encyclopedia, though a very quirky and wonderfully illustrated one. This is the kind of book I would have absolutely loved as a little girl. For the grownup me, it was maybe a little bit to cutesy, but the quirky and fun illustrations make it worth the detour.