One of my favorite books as a child, I still love to re-read this one :) ( )

I want to give this five stars, but one of my primary criteria is that I'd be able to recommend the book widely, and I just don't think I could talk this up enough so my husband, son, or parents would enjoy it. Otoh, it's a great 3-chapter fairy tale, with the classic tropes and stylings but with a major twist. Soonie is a brave young person out to make a living - but she's female. *She* rescues the princesses from the dragon. *She* tames the Griffin. And eventually *she* meets a humble but kind, smart, and handsome young man and they live prosperously, happily, and presumably adventurously ever after.

The book really deserves to be reissued with richer illustrations and better design. ( )

Soonie is a pretty great character. Two out of three stories are preoccupied with getting a man, which could be really annoying, but in both she is first herself, and second a little lonely, and, let's be honest, most teenage girls are at least a little preoccupied with boys. It's fairly realistically written, for all its fairies and five headed griffons.

Cute story, delivered in an honest and simple way, about a bright, cheery, bold young woman. I would not hesitate to hand this book to a young girl. ( )

Soonie saves her village from a dragon. ( )