The Little Lame Prince [Library Binding]

Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1940

A beautifully illustrated, full-color edition of this one hundred-year-old tale follows Prince Dolor as he accomplishes marvelous things with his traveling cloak.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Although based on the Dinah Maria Mulock Craik novel, Wells's picture book retelling is devoid of the sentimental flavor of the original. The comic illustrations underscore the droll aspects of the text which, like the best of Ungerer or Steig, is filled with dry humor and delicious details. A vain chambermaid, more intent on fixing her eyelashes than minding the baby, drops Prince Francisco on the marble floor, causing his lameness. When his parents die soon after, his Uncle Osvaldo, a yellow-eyed porker who swills brandy and smokes cigars, shuts the prince in a tower and wreaks havoc on his peaceful kingdom. Eventually, Francisco's fairy godmother--"with limited powers"--sees to it that he is established as the rightful ruler of El Cordoba, where "no one cares about your legs because your head is wise and your heart is kind." As winsome as Shy Charles and as ebullient as Max, Wells's gentle prince is a charmer. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-- In side notes, Wells states that she hoped to adapt a favorite story of her childhood for younger children while keeping the spirit of the original. At this she is not successful. Craik's The Little Lame Prince more thoughtfully presents a coming-of-age story, a coming to grips with both good and evil in the world, and a realization of one's own strengths and weaknesses. Stripped of its action, this adaptation is more like Miss Piggy goes Anne of Green Gables. In fact, the main characters are pigs and the lady-in-waiting who drops the young prince causing his lameness is a silly goose. Taken on its own terms as a story, more parody than adaptation, it's a hoot. Wells' writing is fast paced and humorous, and she never talks down to her audience. Her good-natured illustrations are highly expressive and add additional humor to the tale. Younger children will indeed enjoy the adventure, while older children should definitely be directed to the original for its own special magic. --Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Library Binding
• Publisher: Troll Communications (June 1940)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816707219
• ISBN-13: 978-0816707218
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,539,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VICTORIAN FLYING CLOAK, May 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little Lame Prince (Library Binding)

In ten gentle chapters with simple sketches we meet another charming child--this one lame but royal, and an orphan. (Somewhat reminiscent of Old Testament Jonathan's crippled son.) A healthy baby prince is dropped by a careless nurse enroute to his christening; when both his parents die, he is at the mercy of his ambitious uncle/regent who has him secreted away to a lonely tower on a barren plain. (Reminds me of The Emperor and the Kite).

With only a female convict as a nanny, the little lame prince grows to boyhood in utter loneliness, until his fairy godmother gives him a magic cloak which he uses to travel on the sly. Not to escape, but to see more of the world, and the kingdom which should be his. But would the people accept a crippled monarch, even if he could escape and denounce his uncle? The cloak has an even greater significance for him, since it provides him with love (reminding him that ONE person cares for him) and hope. Is being a king someday what he really wants for personal happiness? An ingenuous tale which will soften the hearts of modern readers. But probably bore kids of the Nineties....

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Lame Prince, January 23, 2000

By 

Elaine Cousins (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Little Lame Prince (Library Binding)

My Mother read me this book about 47 years ago and I just loved it. I felt so bad for this poor little boy who was held captive. Then the world opened up for him as he rode on his magic carpet. His adventures were so realistic I felt like I was with him. I reread this book recently because I had always remembered liking it as a child.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Little Lame Prince, January 30, 2000

By 

future (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Little Lame Prince (Hardcover)

This book is a must read for all preadolecent girls! It is a remarkably sweet and refreshing book that is perfect for bedtime reading!