Who Wants to Be a Princess?: What It Was Really Like to Be a Medieval Princess - Hardcover

Heos, Bridget

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805097694 ISBN 13: 9780805097696

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2017

Synopsis

Did you ever wish to be a princess? Have you ever wanted to wear a pretty pink gown, sing to your forest animal friends, and attend a fancy fairy-tale ball?

Then meet Beatrice―she represents what being a princess in the Middle Ages was really like. Pink gown? More like itchy wool! Sing to animals? Think archery and horseback riding instead. Beatrice’s life is no fairy tale, but she will show you that fact can sometimes be more fascinating than fantasy.

This humorous, brightly illustrated book offers an irresistible comparison of fairy tale vs. real life in medieval times.

About this title

About the Author:

Bridget Heos is the author of more than sixty books for children, including I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are, illustrated by Jennifer Plecas, and Mustache Baby, illustrated by Joy Ang. She lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with her family.

Migy (pronounced miggy), short for Miguel Ornia-Blanco, is a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including And Away We Go! After living for a time in London and Buenos Aires, he now resides in Frome, England, with his wife and children.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 2–4—A fairy-tale princess has a pretty glamorous life. She wears fancy dresses, dances at the ball, and has helpful anthropomorphic woodland creatures attending to her every need. The fantasy is so dazzling that it's easy to forget the reality. Princess Beatrice, a fictional royal, is here to share what life as a medieval princess was really like. Each spread provides helpful facts that illuminate the truth about growing up royal in the Middle Ages. For example, princesses didn't wait to be rescued by a handsome prince. Instead, they were placed in an arranged marriage, often at a very young age. They did not get cursed by an evil queen, but they spent time practicing embroidery and horseback riding. The engaging illustrations emphasize the contrast between the vivid fantasy world and the more muted earth tones of real life. Back matter includes an author's note with more factual information as well as a brief bibliography for those who wish to learn more about castle life in the Middle Ages. The book also serves as a gentle reminder that while it may be fun to daydream about another life, the reality may not be as enviable. VERDICT Appropriate for most picture book collections, this title adds a much-needed touch of reality to the princess genre.—Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 0805097694
• ISBN 13: 9780805097696
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Migy