Angelina at the Palace

Text: Katherine Holabird

Illustrations: Helen Craig

Year: 2005

Publisher: Puffin Books, London

Age: 6 – 10 years

No. of Pages: 28

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 14138 126 4

Website: Angelina Ballerina

Miss Lilly has been assigned to teach a special dance for the three princesses of Mouseland. Angelina is thrilled when Miss Lilly asks for her help.

Things, however, don’t go as planned when a flu knocks out the tutor and Angelina has to step up to teach instead. And she does.

The princesses dance elegantly and put on a beautiful show.

The Angelina Ballerina series are a wonderful means to teach children significant life values like self-confidence, self-esteem, empathy, creative expression. Our girls love Angelina. :-)

Excerpt

Angelina could hardly believe her furry ears when Miss Lilly invited her on a special visit to the Royal Palace of Mouseland.

I am Reading: Princess Rosa’s Winter

Author: Judy Hindley

Illustrator: Margaret Chamberlain

Year: 1997

Publisher: Kingfisher Publications, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 50

ISBN: 978 0 75341 038 9

It’s a tale of long ago in a land where winter is a dark time. Princess Rosa feels grumpy with the weather and it looks like nothing will bring cheer to her or the courtiers in the castle. They try to cheer each other up with memories of warmer times. That doesn’t work either.

The King, then, remembers Hode, their ‘wonderful, winter visitor.’ Soon everyone is on their feet, dancing. Princess Rosa, now happy, finds beauty in the winter moon and snow.

I liked this story because it encourages children to look beyond their circumstances and find happiness in what they have.

Peasant Pig and the Terrible Dragon

Author and Illustrator: Richard Scarry

For Ages: 5 and above

No. of Pages: 46

Publisher: Sterling Publishing, New York

Year: 1980

It’s a holiday in Busylande, and everyone is celebrating including Peasant Pig and Lowly Worm until a huge dragon appears.

This captivating tale of a simple peasant pig set in an enchanting land (of pigs) makes for delightful reading with detailed illustrations that keep  little ones engaged for long after the reading is done.

A couple of twists in the tale serve to engage older children too.

Yes, there's an interesting jester but you’ll have to find out more about him!  

Excerpt

In the forest, poor Princess Lily was now a prisoner. The dragon had tied her up and put her to work making grape juice.

The Royal Guards could not help Princess Lily.

But help was on its way! The king’s knights rode out of the castle, crossed the drawbridge over the moat, and galloped into the forest.

But the terrible dragon leaped up!

A Pet for a Princess: Step into Reading - 2

Text: Melissa Lagonegro

Illustrations: Atelier Philippe Harchy

Year: 2005

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, New York

Website: Step into reading

Age: 4 - 5 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Educational 

ISBN:  978 0 73642 280 3

This delightful Disney Princess book inspired by the beloved blockbuster Aladdin features Princess Jasmine and her very first encounter with Rajah, the pet tiger given as a gift by the king.

This is a Step into Reading Level - 2 book. The small sentences and full-page illustrations encourage children to indulge in reading.

Excerpt

Jasmine and Rajah did many things together.

They sat in the sun.

They watched butterflies.

They played lots of games.

Jasmine took good care of Rajah. 

The Frog Prince (Usborne Young Reading)

Retold by Susanna Davidson       

Illustrator: Mike Gordon

For Ages: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

Publisher: Usborne Publishing, England

Year: 2005

ISBN: 978 0 74607 023 9

Meet Princess Poppy who, while playing with her golden ball, meets a cheeky, talking frog. Of course, we all know how that ends.

This book from the Usborne Young Reading series makes a delightful read for young children.

According to the publishers, this timeless fairy tale has been around since the thirteenth century. The Grimm Brothers retold the tale we know so well.

Excerpt

“Are you all right?” she whispered.

“Yes,” croaked the frog, carefully feeling his head.

“I didn't mean to hurt you,” said Poppy. “I’m so sorry.” And she bent down and kissed him.

There was a loud crash of thunder, followed by a shower of sparks. The frog had vanished. In his place stood a handsome young prince.

“At last!” shouted the Prince. “I’m human again. No more slimy skin, no more webbed feet, no more flies…” 

Little Pink Ballerina

Author: Ronne Randall

Illustrator: Helena Owen

Year: 1997

Publisher: Ladybird Books, London

Age: 4 and above

No. of Pages: 28

ISBN: 978 0 72141 923 2

Little Pink Ballerina packages most little girls' dream to be a ballerina in a charming story of grit, determination and hard work. 

Madame Plie is about to host a special performance of the Fairy Princess Ballet. She announces that the most graceful ballerina will dance the lead part of the Star Fairy Princess.

All the little ballerinas work hard and manage to “whirl, twirl, leap” except for the Pink Ballerina. Her moves are limited to “whirl, twirl, thump!”.

After hours of practice, she’s inspired by Madame Plie’s words: A fairy princess must be graceful as a feather floating through the air…”. 

Yes, the story has a fairy-tale ending and I won’t ruin it for you. :-)

Other books in this series:

• Little Yellow Digger, Review here
• Little Red Car
• Brave Little Train
• Little Blue Tractor
• Big Little Bus
• Noisy Little Truck
• Forgetful Little Fireman
• Busy Little Postman
• Daisy Little Dancer
• Brilliant Little Elephant
• Bold Little Tiger

Excerpt

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something flutter down from the cherry tree.

It was a slender, silvery-white feather. The Pink Ballerina watched as it drifted gracefully through the air. And she remembered Madame Plie’s words…

Princess Polly and the Pony – Usborne First Reading

Author: Susanna Davidson

Illustrator: Dave Hill

Year: 2007

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd., London

Age: 6 and above

No. of Pages: 48

ISBN: 978 0 74609 171 5

The kids always enjoy a humorous princess story and this book fit the bill, perfectly.

Princess Polly loves horse riding and of course, the King and Queen are aghast that she’s not interested in practicing her princess wave or trying on tiaras.

She’s annoyed with her parents’ restrictions until she sees a poster for Pony Games where the first prize is a Royal Wish. Naturally, Princess Polly gets what she wants.

Excerpt

“If I’m in costume, no one will know it’s me!”

Princess Polly spent the next hour looking at her father’s crowns. The King talked and talked and talked.

Polly didn’t hear him. She was thinking about her costume.