The Princess in Black by Shannon + Dean Hale Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

The Princess in Black #1. Candlewick Press (Oct. 2014) Library
Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in Black!

Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret? From award-winning writing team of Shannon and Dean Hale and illustrator LeUyen Pham, here is the first in a humorous and action-packed chapter book series for young readers who like their princesses not only prim and perfect, but also dressed in black.

Princess Magnolia is also really the Princess in Black, a crime fighter who stops monsters from attacking her citizens. The Princess in Black is everything a princess isn't because everyone knows that princesses don't wear black, slide down secret chutes, and fight monsters. So as the Princess in Black, Princess Magnolia is able to do all the things princesses don't do, but she must keep her secret from the nosy Duchess Wigtower. Duchess Wigtower likes to uncover royal secrets and while she is staying over for some tea at Princess Magnolia's castle she will try to discover her biggest secret of all. Will Princess Magnolia be able to keep her secret? 


The Princess in Black has such rich, colorful pictures that I've seen with LeUyen Pham's work before. Her illustrations make Princess Magnolia's story come to life while the Hale's successfully create a character that boys and girls will love. 


In this story there is the idea that princesses can't act a certain way which seems ridiculous. It's like the story wants to get you talking about what princesses and girls are capable of which is a pretty clever thing to do. 

This is really a straight forward tale when it comes to the writing and it's very cute too. Young readers are sure to enjoy Princess Magnolia and her alter ego. The Princess in Black shows how princesses and girls not only can enjoy pink dresses and tea parties, but fight for others. 


What books have you found that have bridged gender stereotypes? 

Comments

  1. I love the idea behind this book! It's good to show that not all girls are alike. I read a picture book where the little girl wanted to be a princess but not one with pretty dresses and guys and all that. It was great!

    -Lauren

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    1. There is actually one like that, that just came out called Not All Princesses Dress In Pink. You might enjoy it!

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  2. Oh this book looks and sounds cute. I think we all need a Princess in Black in our town!

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    1. Haha! Yeah, we need someone to chase the monsters away (:

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  3. I love the idea of a princess who is also a crime fighter! My daughter would enjoy this. Thanks for sharing, Adriana!

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    1. Crime fighter princesses are awesome and I'm sure your daughter will love it.

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  4. The second book is coming out soon, or it's already out. I'm definitely getting it for my kids! They love this book.

    Dena @ Batch of Books

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    1. The third one is coming out I'm pretty sure. I'm sure your kids will enjoy reading about Princess Magnolia Dena (:

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