The Paper Bag Princess (Classic Munsch) (Paperback)

~ Robert N. Munsch (Author), Michael Martchenko (Illustrator) "Elizabeth was a beautiful princess..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Elizabeth, a beautiful princess, lives in a castle and wears fancy clothes. Just when she is about to marry Prince Ronald, a dragon smashes her castle, burns her clothes with his fiery breath, and prince-naps her dear Ronald. Undaunted and presumably unclad, she dons a large paper bag and sets off to find the dragon and her cherished prince. Once she's tracked down the rascally reptile, she flatters him into performing all sorts of dragonly stunts that eventually exhaust him, allowing her to rescue Prince Ronald. But what does Prince Not-So-Charming say when he sees her? "You smell like ashes, your hair is all tangled and you are wearing a dirty old paper bag. Come back when you are dressed like a real princess." (At least he has the courtesy not to mention that the princess's crown resembles a dying sea anemone.) In any case, let's just say that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Ronald do not, under any circumstances, live happily ever after. Canadian author Robert Munsch celebrates feisty females everywhere with this popular favorite, and Michael Martchenko's scratchy, comical, pen-and-ink drawings capture the tongue-in-cheek quality of this read-aloud crowd pleaser. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Review

Some of the best children's books ever written have been about girls -- like The Paper Bag Princess. (New York Times 200502)

A great girl-power story. (Carol Sjostrom Miller Familyfun )

One of the best princess stories ever told, Elizabeth turns the princess stereotype on its head. (Elizabeth Shaffer BC Parent )

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Annick Press; illustrated edition edition (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0920236162
• ISBN-13: 978-0920236161
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (124 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,944 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( M ) > Martchenko, Michael
  #2 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Royalty
  #23 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Girls & Women > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Munsch's wonderful book, June 2, 2003

By	Cordless Iron Man (Curacao) - See all my reviews

This was the first Munsch book that I bought and I quickly went out and bought a whole load more. He's an excellent writer with a wonderful range of stories and a beautifully simple and fluid style of writing that is both accessible to children and able to roll off the tongue of most adults.

As you'll see from the other reviews here, this tale is about a young girl who, filled with nothing but courage, charity and a fair bit of brains, goes off to rescue a young prince from a ferocious dragon. After using all of her cunning to defeat the dragon she discovers that the prince is a bit of a monster himself, and so she decides not to marry him after all.

Although I agree that the story has a wealth of small lessons for children to learn about boys and girls and expectations and disappointments, I think that one of its strongest points is that the book serves as a wonderful introduction to the fact that not all stories end the way we expect them to (it's still a happy ending, just a different one) and that sometimes a twist can be more satisfying anyway.

Highly recommended for children from 3 to 103.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read for Four Year Old Girls, June 14, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Paper Bag Princess (Classic Munsch) (Library Binding)

I am so happy I got this book for my four year old daughter. It's the perfect antidote to those unrealistic Disney stories (i.e., Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty). And don't get me wrong, I think that those Disney stories can be fabulous, but the subliminal messages are somewhat 18th century. The Paper Bag Princess, on the other hand is decidely modern. Its message is: if a guy isn't nice to you, he's not worth it, leave him. Really, is there a more important message about relationships that we ought to be sending to our daughters? There are other wonderful messages in here for girls: you are resourceful, be strong. And, as an added benefit, this is a great and funny book, both of my daughters love it. This would make a great gift to all of the young girls in your life (and I think the age range should start at 2, not 4).

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an excellent title for young girls!, March 8, 1998

By	Ann Cameron (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This charming story reverses the usual roles: a prince is kidnapped by a dangerous dragon, and the dragon's breath burns up all the clothes in the palace. The princess who loves the prince can only find a paper bag to wear when she goes to rescue her love. Cleverly tricking the dragon, she enters the cave where the prince, still beautifully dressed, is held captive. Is true love rewarded? No! He at once complains she's "a disaster" badly dressed, dirty and all messed up. She replies that he is a fine and handsome prince--but completely useless. "And, in the end, they didn't marry."

This book is funny and not at all didactic, quick and easy to read. It's understandable for children from five up, but appeals to adults, too. I've read it to my Guatemalan maid, who was being forced to marry against her will and had just managed to escape the marriage. She loved the book and took it home to read it to her little brother and sister. This is an ideal work to help girls and boys see themelves as equals, to help them realize that marriage isn't the solution to all life's problems, and to understand that boys, just like girls, can be spoiled and foolish. It also suggests that when a boy friend or girl friend is vain and foolish, rather than pining one can look elsewhere for love and understanding. This book should be in every library worldwide!