The Little Lame Prince - Softcover

Miss Mulock

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1589632907 ISBN 13: 9781589632905

Publisher: Fredonia Books (NL), 2001

Yes, he was the most beautiful Prince that ever was born. Of course, being a prince, people said that; but it was true besides.

The Prince's christening was to be a grand affair. By six in the morning all the royal household had dressed itself in its very best; and then the little Prince was dressed in his best - his magnificent christening-robe; which proceeding his Royal Highness did not like at all, but kicked and screamed like any common baby.

In truth, though very few knew the Prince in coming to the chapel had met with a slight disaster. His nurse - not his ordinary one, but the state nurse-maid - an elegant and fashionable young lady of rank, whose duty it was to carry him to and from the chapel, had been so occupied in arranging her train with one hand, while she held the baby with the other, that she stumbled and let him fall, just at the foot of the marble staircase. To be sure, she contrived to pick him up again the next minute; and the accident was so slight it seemed hardly worth speaking of. Consequently nobody did speak of it. The baby had turned deadly pale, but did not cry, so no person a step or two behind could discover anything wrong; afterward, even if he had moaned, the silver trumpets were loud enough to drown his voice. It would have been a pity to let anything trouble such a day of felicity.

About the Author:

English novelist, poetess and essayist. Craik’s work is best known for its sentimentality. She started her literary career by writing stories for children. She wrote more than 40 volumes.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 1-3-- In side notes, Wells states that she hoped to adapt a favorite story of her childhood for younger children while keeping the spirit of the original. At this she is not successful. Craik's The Little Lame Prince more thoughtfully presents a coming-of-age story, a coming to grips with both good and evil in the world, and a realization of one's own strengths and weaknesses. Stripped of its action, this adaptation is more like Miss Piggy goes Anne of Green Gables. In fact, the main characters are pigs and the lady-in-waiting who drops the young prince causing his lameness is a silly goose. Taken on its own terms as a story, more parody than adaptation, it's a hoot. Wells' writing is fast paced and humorous, and she never talks down to her audience. Her good-natured illustrations are highly expressive and add additional humor to the tale. Younger children will indeed enjoy the adventure, while older children should definitely be directed to the original for its own special magic. --Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

• Publisher: Fredonia Books (NL)
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1589632907
• ISBN 13: 9781589632905
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 220