Customer Reviews

The Prince's Diary

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

 

 

The Prince is the character from the Cinderella tale, retelling this classic from an unusual perspective. On the date June 19 in his diary, the Prince writes, "I saw Cinderella again today! I was out inspecting a section of broken fence when she came into view...carrying a basket of wet clothes that she hung out to dry." The story follows the traditional story line, but seems fresh and embellished in being told once again from this novel perspective.

We've all heard Cinderella's version of her "happily ever after" story, but what about her Prince? This delightful book gives us his version of events, and provides a fresh perspective on a well known tale. The diary format allows us to get inside the Prince's head as his mother tries to find the perfect match to be his wife. Kids will love the accident prone Prince, while parent should find the new point of view a refreshing change of pace.

The diary begins on June 4... wow, that's my mother's birthday! The Prince, while riding on his horse named Silver, discovers for the very first time, a beautiful girl carrying water buckets along a country road and he decides to call her Cinderella. From this point on, the story line turns and twists with great humor, along with fantastic detailed illustrations. The story progresses a bit more with a character sketch of Miss Cinderella doing lots of chores, like gardening and harvesting food; doing laundry for tons of folks. I especially like the family dynamics of the Prince with his mother that the author weaves in throughout the story.

My favorite line is, "She laughed, and her smile made her just as beautiful as I imagined."

I was so impressed with the author's interpretation of the Prince's perspective. I found the book, the Prince's Diary, a very refreshing read. The illustrator put so much body language into her drawings that you will just stare at the beauty of the countryside and the emotions on the faces of the Prince and Cinderella. The very last page grabbed my heart, as I know it will yours. Get the book!

I was really interested in this simple retelling of the Cinderella. It is more realistic than most Cinderella's and tells it with great style. In this version, the prince is writing in his diary. He spies Cinderella working and names here that name. She is the daughter of a gentleman who died and the stepmother and stepsisters don't treat her well. What happens is a more logical story than most.

This book is a refreshing twist on the Cinderella story. Not only is it told from the prince's perspective, but it also allows Cinderella to have a mind of her own. The fairy tale elements, the godmother and the happily ever after, have been omitted. Instead, Cinderella sneaks over to the palace on her own on the night of the ball. Prince Stephen likes her in spite of her worn out clothes and hard labor. Even the glass slipper is immaterial. It's actually age appropriate for early elementary school children; rather than a story with marriage and gorgeous clothes as the ultimate goal, the prince's big coup at the end is to eat a snack with the girl of his dreams.

this one could have been better --- great idea for a book, but the story needed some oomph!

Everyone knows the story of Cinderella and her Prince Charming. In Renee Ting's The Prince's Diary, the classic fairy tale is told through diary entries and from the perspective of Prince Stephen.

In The Prince's Diary, the young Prince Stephen has fallen in love with a beautiful girl. But he doesn't know her name, so he calls her Cinderella.

The handsome prince's days are spent working on boring kingdom business. His free time is a series of meetings, arranged by his mother, with women who might become his wife. But what Prince Stephen wants to do is meet his Cinderella.

The Prince's Diary gives us the "true" story of what the Prince thinks about the stepsisters, what really happened at the gala ball--and the truth about the glass slipper is finally revealed.

The illustrations are inviting, whimsical, charming and humorous and will appeal to children. The story is a fun, quirky and new take on the traditional story of Cinderella. Children from age 5 to 9, as well as adults will enjoy the story of how "happily ever after" actually happened.

Armchair Interviews says: If you want a change from the familiar, The Prince's Diary is a good choice.

Ages 4-8 will relish this new take on the Cinderella story, which comes from the Prince's viewpoint. Elizabeth Dulemba provides lovely drawings and kids will find plenty of embellishment on the story of a frustrated prince who finds all kinds of things wrong with women - until he meets a particularly elusive woman. Better cover art would have attracted initial attention, but the story itself is excellent and appealing.

The Prince's Diary by Renee Ting is a picturebook retelling of the classic Cinderella - from the Prince's point of view! "Dear Diary, I have fallen in love with the most beautiful girl, but I don't even know her name!" the prince writes, one lovelorn day. He must devise a way to search the land for his one true love. The Prince's Diary lets the reader know what the prince was really thinking when he met Cinderella's stepsisters, and offers a "behind-the-scenes" twist on a timeless fairytale. Each two-page spread features an exuberant color illustration by Elizabeth O. Dulemba on the left and the prince's story on the right. The Prince's Diary is a charming fable especially recommended for young readers on the verge of making the transition from picture books to chapter books.