This is the fifth (and final) post in my "Precocious Princesses" series, reviews of inspiring alternatives to traditional princess tales. Spindle's End by Robin McKinley Ace Books, 2001 354 pages If "Rapunzel" is progressive as princess tales go, "Sleeping Beauty" is at the opposite end of the spectrum. However embellished, the story usually goes something … Continue reading Precocious Princesses: Spindle’s End
Precocious Princesses: Rapunzel
This is the fourth post in my "Precocious Princesses" series, reviews of inspiring alternatives to traditional princess fairy tales. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale, ill. by Nathan Hale Bloomsbury, 2008 144 pages For a princess story, the tale of Rapunzel is fairly subversive. To begin with, she's not actually a princess, or even … Continue reading Precocious Princesses: Rapunzel
Precocious Princesses: The Ordinary Princess
This is the third post in my "Precocious Princesses" series, reviews of inspiring alternatives to traditional princess fairy tales. The Ordinary Princess by M. M. Kaye Viking, 2002 112 pages Developing this series, I looked high and low for a good tween-oriented princess tale. There was Ella Enchanted, of course, but it seemed like such … Continue reading Precocious Princesses: The Ordinary Princess
Read Like a Girl 