The Gypsy Princess [Hardcover]

Phoebe Gilman (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Living with her aunt in a gypsy caravan, Cinnamon tells fortunes while longing for the life of a princess, and when she meets the Princess Cyprina, she is invited to live with her in the palace.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3. Cinnamon, a young gypsy, has always dreamed of living in a palace. So when Princess Cyprina visits to have her fortune told and invites Cinnamon to return with her, the girl abandons Babalatzzi the dancing bear and her old auntie without a backward glance. Cinnamon is sumptuously dressed and entertained but royal life soon loses its dazzle. Her loneliness manifests itself in dreams of her gypsy friends, and she heads for home. When Babalatzzi doesn't recognize her, she plunges into a lake to remove the final trappings of royalty and joyously returns to her former life. Gilman's writing effectively captures the spirit and cadence of a traditional fairy tale. However, because this original fantasy relies heavily on the "grass is always greener" premise, Cinnamon's actions are predictable and the story is robbed of dramatic tension. Still, the girl's transition from wild gypsy child to primped and pampered princess is interesting to observe. The tempera illustrations are overly sweet but lustrous, and the repeated use of gilded frames enhances their painterly quality; some of the scenes burst out of the frames, adding to their drama and vitality. There are several intriguing details and the human characters are realistically portrayed; unfortunately, Babalattzi resembles a stuffed animal. While not as vibrant and compelling as the author's Something from Nothing (Scholastic, 1993), this book will satisfy demand for tales of princesses and palaces.?Carol Ann Wilson, Westfield Memorial Library, NJ
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. Like many little girls, gypsy girl Cinnamon dreams of being a princess. After she tells the fortune of a real princess, she receives an invitation to live at the royal palace. It's not surprising that "Princess" Cinnamon eventually tires of her lonely life of luxury. What is unexpected is Cinnamon's discovery that it can be very difficult to give up wealth, even if keeping it means unhappiness. This is a smoothly told story, albeit with some dubious gypsy stereotypes thrown in. But it's the romantic--if stilted--full-page paintings of little girls with golden crowns, pomaded hair, and silk ball gowns that will capture young readers' attention. Once Cinnamon is at the palace, tiny framed miniatures show what is happening at home. Expressly for the princess-book crowd. Julie Corsaro

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590865439
• ISBN-13: 978-0590865432
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,862,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars great, December 15, 2010

By 

elfdart - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gypsy Princess (Hardcover)

This is a cute story about a little gypsy named Cinnamon who is free-spirited and fun. She can play musical instruments and dance with bears, but what Cinnamon has always wanted is to see what it's like to be a real princess. One day her wish is answered when a princess comes to get her fortune told by Cinnamon. The princess is so entertained by Cinnamon that she invites her to come live in the palace. Cinnamon goes to live at the palace obviously and delights in the fancy dresses and parties, but after a while she starts to feel sad and misses the freedom she had as a gypsy. The princess soon tires of her and gets new companions and the gypsy girl starts to feel very homesick. So one day instead of letting the maid dress and fuss over her, she leaves the palace in search of her home. She finds the bear she used to dance with and takes down her hair hoping he'll recognize her, and of course he does and they begin to dance.

This is a great story for young girls because, especially for the 'girly' girls, being a princess is such a big deal. They dress up as princesses, obsess over Disney princesses, and want so badly to be a princess themselves, and it's good to let them explore that part of their imagination. It is also important to let them see or realize the goodness in themselves that they may not necessarily need to be a princess to be great, though playing can be fun.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story That is Never Forgotten, May 14, 2007

By 

Felicia B. Hebel "Hannah" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The gypsy princess (Hardcover)

I'm currently a Junior in High School and I've been singing the song in the book for the past week. I haven't read it since 2nd grade! I loved this story then and I love it now. It's a terrific story with wonderful illustrations. I'll never forget Cinnamon and how much she reminded me of, well, me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gypsy Princess, November 1, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The gypsy princess (Hardcover)

I really liked this book. The Illustrations are very intracate and beautiful, and it has a good, strong story line. It's also a very advanced chapter book, more so for grade 3ers than grade 1ers.