PRINCESS SMARTYPANTS

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Princess Smartypants does not want to get married. She enjoys being a Ms. But being a rich and pretty princess means that all the princes want her to be their Mrs. Find out how Princess Smartypants fights to preserve her independence in this hilarious fairy-tale-with-a-difference.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

In both text and art, Cole's characteristic wacky humor sparks this fable about a contemporary princess who ``enjoyed being a Ms.'' and finds an ingenious method for retaining her single status. Ages 4-8. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 3 Princess Smartypants doesn't want to get married; she'd rather live with her pets. Commanded by her parents to find herself a husband, the Princess sets tasks for her horde of suitors. Prince Vertigo is commanded to rescue her from her crystal tower; Prince Grovel's quest is to take the Queen shopping; and so on. All of the potential husbands fail miserably as the gleeful Princess looks onuntil Prince Swashbuckle appears. He accomplishes all of the challenges with resourcefulness and a royal flourish, and is rewarded with a kiss from Her Highness. He's transformed into a gigantic warty toad. When word gets out, Princess Smartypants loses her appeal and so lives happily ever after. Truly comical watercolors in softly glowing colors complement this fairy tale parody perfectly. The Princess wears overalls; among her pets are goofy-looking dragons and other magical beasts. Clever details add to the fun; one of Prince Swashbuckle's medals features a tiny golden pig. Probably more fun for adults than children, this is still an appealing book for budding feminists. It presents a new slant on the traditional fairy tale princess in a light-handed, tongue-in-cheek manner. A refreshing alternative. Lucy Young Clem, Evansville-Vanderburgh County Public Library, Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Horn Book Review

Princess Smartypants has little interest in marrying, so she sets impossible tasks for her many suitors. When one prince is successful, she turns him into a toad and lives happily--and alone--ever after. This one-joke girl-power fairy tale is illustrated with Cole's witty, exaggerated cartoons. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Book Review

A modern fairy tale with a feminist theme. The princess wants to remain single, but is bothered by a series of annoying suitors, in order to eliminate them, she sets a number of impossible tasks. The final suitor, who actually succeeds in all the tasks, is rewarded by being changed into a toad by a magic kiss, and also departs, so that the princess is able to live happily--and unmarried--ever after. The illustrations provide the lighthearted touch that makes the story fun, with plenty of amusing monsters and humorous details; the wacky activities are a reminder not to take the story or the moral too seriously. Some children may have enjoyed the previous titles by the author, The Trouble with Mom and The Trouble with Dad. Both old and new readers will find pleasure with this clever twisting of familiar themes. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.