Customer Reviews

Princess Justina Albertina: A Cautionary Tale

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Get this book if you want to have a good giggle with your kid! It's like Mrs. Pigglewiggle with a twist - or a fractured fairy tale with a bite! Great for kids who have developed their sense of humor a bit - and for parents who want to develop a sense of humor on those occasions kids are demanding. A "must read". Another plus for tired parents: it's funny AND short!

Princess Justina Albertina: A Cautionary Tale is a whimsical picturebook with an underlying moral - be very careful what you wish for! Princess Justina Albertina, a chubby, bad-tempered child princess used to getting her own way and giving her nanny headaches, wants a pet - but not just any pet will do. She mistreats and finds fault with every rare and exotic pet her nanny brings, and finally throws a tantrum until her nanny gives in and brings back the ultimate pet - a majestic griffon. "As soon as she saw him, Princess Justina Albertina ran over and said, 'He's perfect. He's exactly the pet I want.' The griffon opened his eagle beak and swallowed Princess Justina Albertina in one gulp. Then the griffon burped and flew away." The color illustrations vividly bring a spoiled young girl and her gaggle of amazing animals to life in this zany story with message.

Princess Justina Albertina likes to get her own way and if she doesn't--look out! When she decides she wants a pet, it is up to her nanny to find a pet with all the perfect qualities.

In this escalating story of a spoiled little girl, the author uses unusual animals with unique qualities that most any child would treasure. There is a wonderful moral to the story, but kids don't seem put off by that in the least, as it is funny rather than preachy. The illustrations are perfect for the text--and boy, will mothers recognize Princess Justina Albertina in her fit element.

In my first read through, I reached the final page and burst out laughing. My kids want to read it again and again and love to discuss the many different facets of the book. Boys and girls alike love this book and my three kids give it six thumbs up. I have to add my two thumbs to the count.

Armchair Interviews says: This book is a treasure to any child's library.

This is one that I will be buying for friends and relatives for a good long time. I made my husband stay in the room while I read this to my 5 year old (who tends to want everything and want it now).

We all laughed out loud, over and over. The end is a wonderful surprise that had us all on the floor.

[review by my 5-year-old daughter] I tell my mom to read this book all the time. It is so funny, we read it over and over again. I sometimes read it in bed to my stuffed animals. My stuffed animals laugh every time.

**From Mom: This is one of my favorite children's books. So, so funny (shocking, even!), and a great morality tale, to boot. I read it at my daughter's birthday party and all 10 girls clamored for me to read it 2 more times. They would have asked for more if the cake wasn't ready to be eaten!

Reviewed by Three Silly Chicks - Readers, Writers, and Reviewers of funny books for kids.


The title character of this cautionary tale, Princess Justina Albertina, is one of those horrid little girls you love to hate. She's nasty and bratty, spoiled and mean; a despicable twit who could easily give Veruca Salt a run for her money. You know the type.

Her nanny, on the other hand, rocks the casbah. When Justina demands a pet, nanny comes through. When Justina demands a BETTER pet, nanny comes through again. When Justina demands an EVEN BETTER pet, her unflappable, invincible nanny comes through yet again...until Princess Justina Albertina finally gets the pet she deserves.

Heh, heh, heh.

We won't tell you what happens next, but let's just say the princess suffers a fate worse than Veruca's. But lest you wonder whether the finale's a bit too grim for youngsters, rest assured that our unofficial focus group (a spry group of kinders from Ottawa, Illinois) found the ending so delightfully delicious, they immediately asked for seconds...and so will you!

Michael Chesworth's illustrations are a winsome hoot, the perfect accompaniment to Ellen Dee Davidson's wry, clever text. Don't miss this one!