Princess Pigsty

Princess Isabella is tired of being the typical princess. She wants to play outside, have fun, and go wild! She's cooped up all day learning how to smile right, laugh right, and one day she throws away her crown and says enough. Her father isn't very happy with his daughter's decision. She refuses to get her crown back from where it landed so the king decides to send her to the kitchens and then to the pigsty. Every day that passes by her knowledge and love grows for everything outside of the castle. She embraces her new name - Princess Pigsty.

Of course I loved how rebellious and independent Isabella was. She held steadfast to who she was not caring what others thought about her. Many girls can see a great example in Isabella to not let show more anyone hold you back from who you want to be. I didn't feel this was too short like I usually feel with picture books. It's a picture book that can be enjoyed by anyone. I liked how the illustrations were created. It's kind of haphazard in a very good way since the story is how it is. All in all this was a very sweet story about a girl who stuck to what she wanted. It worked out for everyone in the end. show less

This book is such a cute and quirky spin on the idea of standing out and breaking stereotypes. In this book, the princess decides that she does not want to act like her sisters and instead wants to do things deemed unacceptable for princesses. As a punishment, her father sticks her in the kitchen and the pig pen, where she actually thrives. It is a fun way to see how being yourself can be the best thing, even when others don't believe it.

Summary:
This is a fantastic piece of modern fantasy which chronicles the relationship between a young, non-conformist princess and her family. In the story, little Isabella decides good manners, pretty dresses, and being clean are all quite boring. He father (the king) decides to discipline her by sending her first to the kitchen to cook then to the pigsty to work...and Isabella loves her new duties at the castle! Her father finally accepts that Isabella desires a different way of life.

Personal Reaction:
This book holds a special place in my heart because I have a non-conformist, 5-year-old Isabella in my home as well. The story is one of love and acceptance within a healthy family. The parents want only the best for little show more Isabella...and I can certainly relate to that...but eventually decide that she has her own goals and they must honor her desires to a point. A real-life lesson rolled into a fun fairytale package.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. In the classroom, I would read this book alongside other tales involving royalty and castles then compare the tone and style of this book with the others. What elements are the same? How are they different?
2. Children might also rewrite the story starring themselves as the main character. How would they have behaved differently? Another extension might be to place Princess Isabella in a modern day setting. How would the story change? show less

Summary:
Princess Pigsty is a story about 3 sister princesses and their royal, spoiled, and pampered lives. However, the youngest sister, Isabella, does not like being a princess. One morning she wakes up and throws her crown into the fishpond below her bedroom and declares that being a princess is boring and that she does not want to be a princess anymore. Her father, the king, sentences her to washing the dishes in the kitchen and cleaning up after the pigs in the pigsty to teach her a lesson. To his surprise princess Isabella has the time of her life. At first the King is angry but soon realizes that his daughter is truly happy; he allows Isabella to get rid of her frilly dresses, never curl her hair again, and to finally be herself. show more

Personal Reaction:
I really like the moral of this story, it teaches children to be themselves no matter what or who tries to sway that decision or choice. Isabella does not want to be a pampered princess; she wants to be a normal little girl, she wants to climb trees and get dirty. Although her family and the people around her do not agree with or understand Isabella stands up for what she feels is right and stays true to herself.

Classroom Extensions:
1. Provide students with a glue, pink construction paper circle, along with other pink pieces (nose, ears, and feet), and a pink pipe cleaner for a curly-q tail. Allow students to create their own pink pig!
2. Give students a sheet of lined paper and have them describe qualities about themselves that they consider to make them unique; what makes them who they are.

*** Addition: Attach the sheet of paper describing each student to a cutout of brown construction paper. Provide students with brown paint and have them paint the bottom part of their pig brown, as if he is covered in mud in a pigsty. Then attach the qualities sheet to the back, bottom part of the pig and display their creations around the classroom. show less

This story was about three young girls who had everything they ever wanted. The girl pigs were the towns princess and had people wait on them hand and foot. One of the main princess pigs was named Isabella, and she always seemed to get into trouble. She really didn't like the princess lifestyle, she wanted to do things for herself. Isabella was also seen as a tomboy, she would help clean the pig pins, and feed them. She would even rife the pigs. I can relate to Isabella because when I was a little girl, I was a huge tomboy. I always wanted to hangout with my brother, and play with him and his friends. I never much for the barbie dollars and playing dress up.

Princess Pigsty is about a little girl who does not want to be like the other princesses. She wants to play in the dirt and outside, she loves the pig pen. One day she asks to go and stay out in the pig pin. She then learns it is a lot better to be inside with her family.
I love this book because I was a big tomboy and did not want to do anything that the other girls wanted to do. I love how it shows that it is ok to be a tomboy but sometimes you have to act like a little girl.
I would us this book in teaching maybe a history lesson to little children and have them imagine a royal castle and draw it. I would also use this book with a little older children maybe in third grade, as a lesson about being with your family.

Young Princess Isabella has it all - but has had enough of of being treated like a princess. Hilarity ensues when a punishment back fires.