Customer Reviews

A Genuine and Moste Authentic Guide: Princess: A Glittering Guide for Young Ladies (Genuine & Moste Authentic Guides)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tying into the idea that many little girls dream of growing up and meeting their Prince Charming, Candlewick Press has presented a sparkling primer for potential princesses. After all, there's a great deal for a girl to learn before she assumes her royal duties and little is omitted as we first receive tips on "Etiquette and Manners," then take a peek at "Accessories," next attend our first banquet, and at long last set sights on Prince Charming. (For the uninitiated, "Flick open your fan and hold it so only your eyes are visible. Look directly at Prince Charming and then away again.")

The unpaginated 10" by 10" volume is rich with foldouts, sparkles, and envelopes to be opened. Madame Sparklinton is our guide and certainly knows her p's and q's - everything from how to stifle a yawn because princesses should not look bored to suggesting a few royal curses that princesses may use as long as they don't do so often. Therefore, if absolutely necessary, you may utter "Flippering Frogs" "Oh, Bother!" "Dash It and Diamonds" or in the most dire circumstances, "Curses and Crowns!"

Health and Beauty tips may present a challenge for some, such as rinsing hair "in water from the purest mountain stream" or taking "a soothing candlelit bath scattered with rose petals." Nonetheless, one must persevere for the princely prize!

Much of Sparklington's advice is delivered tongue-in-cheek, much is helpful, such as proper diet, exercise, and an illustration of table settings complete with directions for use of silverware. All of it is entertaining and bound to keep young misses enthralled for hours. Recommended for ages three and up.

A deep curtsey to Candlewick!

- Gail Cooke

On a search for a book for my (not-just-Disney) princess obsessed daughter, my search yielded this one and the Princess Primer book (think Dragonology and the sort). Since the Princess Primer had such mixed reviews, I looked at the Glittering Guide for Young Ladies and was not disappointed in the least. Lessons include: etiquette and manners, wardrobe, accessories, health and beauty, your first banquet, your first ball and Prince Charming.

While I generally try to steer her away from books of this nature (who needs to encourage another looks-obsessed, damsel in distress?) the book is light-hearted and sweet and did not offend my feminist sensibilities. Consequently, this quickly became a book that I could enjoy watching my 7 year old devour (and devour, she did!).

The pictures are slightly reminiscent of 1900-1920's and the book includes recipes for homemade beauty secrets as well as several peek-under flaps, and additional pull-outs. While we normally try to avoid anything covered in sparkles, their inclusion in this book is tasteful and they seem to remain glued quite nicely to the book (as opposed to coming off on hands and furniture with every reading as is the case with some of our other books). One caveat: this is not a book that will be appreciated by the younger set (the age range is supposedly 4-8 but it's way over 4 year old vernacular and interest).

If your daughter is serious about wanting to know all there is about the style and etiquette of a true princess, take a look at this book.

I purchased this book for my daughter's birthday. She has taken all of the advice to heart. When I asked my daughter what the main idea of the book was, she told me that "being a princess was all about making other people feel like royalty and always trying to be kind to others." I appreciate how beautiful and well constructed this book is but, mostly I appreciate how it made my daughter feel and that she carries it with her and rereads sections over and over again.

I knew it was going to be good..but WOW! This was a book I would have killed for when I was a little girl. All of the flaps and envelopes with secret messages/advice, the beautiful pictures and while there is some fun, nonsensical stuff, there is some real common sense advice that could serve a young girl quite well. How to dress, how to act in social situations and how to use tableware properly. Sadly, etiquette is a lost art for many of the young generation and there is much to learn here.

Very well done, but it is for girls a little bit older than 2 (the age of my girl). I would say this is a 5 star for girls 6 and older.

Our 3 yr old loved to have her Daddy read it to her for a few times, but then lost interest. She tends to have a few favorites, then rotate interest between her other books (she actually loves books, and has a lot of them). I would recommend this book for up to about age 8.

I gave this book to my 6 year old daughter.
She loved it! She took very seriously the 'Etiquette and Manners' tips.
It's a lovely book for girls at this age.

Wonderful book, enchanting information for a child who can read. I gave it to a friends daughter for her 10th birthday and she loved it. no pop up pages but flaps and mini books and pull out letters and invitations provide plenty on entertainment.

I originally picked up this book as a Charity gift and when I started looking at it I was so impressed by the detailed pages and adorable advice that I had to order one for myself. I loved this book and think it is an excellent gift for a little girl or grown women that still wants to be a princess! The book is very glittery and girly. A sure hit for the women in your life. I treasure this book!

We bought this for my Princess loving daughters 6th birthday. She loves it. There is so much to look at, open and read. There is so much to it you can read different entries every time.