Once Upon a Princess and a Pea [Hardcover]

Ann Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993 | Grade Level: 2 and up

A decidedly modern retelling of the beloved Grimm Brothers story in which the princess's fate is not determined by a little pea, but hinges instead on the importance of being true to herself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Unlike Anne Wilsdorf's blithely subversive Princess (see Children's Books Forecasts, May 17), this retelling of the Princess and the Pea sends an outdated message. Princess Esmerelda runs away from her royal parents after they arrange for her to marry a toothless, 53-year-old king. Meanwhile Prince Hector--a rather nerdy fellow in black-framed specs--hits the road in search of a bride. Armed with the legume-under-the-mattress trick that divines a "true princess," Hector evaluates several unsuccessful candidates (it should go without saying that none tests him with a corn niblet or its equivalent). Luckily, Hector meets Esmerelda, who passes the pea test, and they live happily ever after. This version deserves attention for debut author Campbell's subtle text and for sometime New Yorker cover artist Young's elaborately patterned, fantastical compositions--particularly, a vertiginous spread depicting Esmerelda's floor-to-ceiling bed. While adults may well appreciate the visual sophistication of the art, they may think twice about passing along the lesson that women's duty is to please men, while a man's duty is to choose his woman. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-In this tongue-in-cheek version of a familiar Andersen tale, princess Esmerelda runs away from home to avoid marrying a 53-year-old toothless king. At the same time, a prince visits three castles where prospective princesses not only fail to appeal, but also fail the celebrated pea-under-the-mattress test. Making her way down the road on a dark and stormy night, Esmerelda meets none other than the prince (a Peewee Herman look-alike), who is heading home in his red roadster. They take an instant liking to one another, but the prince's mother insists on performing the classic test, which the princess passes. Young's full-color illustrations, seen frequently on New Yorker covers, have a modish, art-deco quality, giving the story an amusing, sophisticated character. Sight-gags and peas abound, with composition and palette varying to reflect the action. Dorothee Duntze's traditional version (North-South, 1985) is more successful in depicting a timeless, romantic, fairy-tale setting. Tony Johnston's Cowboy and the Black-Eyed Pea (Putnam, 1992) and Jon Scieszka's rendition in Stinky Cheese Man (Viking, 1992) work better as humorous parody. A quirky artistic interpretation with a piquant currency, Campbell's version is not for the classically minded.
Kate McClelland, Perrot Memorial Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; 1St Edition edition (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556702892
• ISBN-13: 978-1556702891
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,134,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Peas, April 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Once Upon a Princess and a Pea (Hardcover)

I love this book for it's sweet and modern storyline and for it's whimsical, colorful pictures. I recommend this book for children of all ages!

3.0 out of 5 stars What a powerful woman!, May 29, 2000

By 

Elisa D. Beurlot - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Princess and a Pea (Hardcover)

This is a modern retelling of the traditional story. The princess's fate is not determinded by a little pea, but instead on the importance of being a strong woman. She runs away from the castle and accidentally runs into Prince Hector who is looking for a princess. I love how the independent princess wins her prince the real way.