Customer Reviews

The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-to-be

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

 

 

As the mother of a two-year-old, I am delighted when I find a book that both of us enjoy reading, since books get read over and over. This is one of those delightful books that we share.

The storyline is clever: the tale of the princess and the pea, as told from the pea's perspective. We learn about a prince who just can't seem to find the right princess (even when threatened with having his allowance withheld), the very polite princesses who sleep like babies on the multiple-mattressed bed, the pea's resolution to "do something!" and what comes of it.

The charming illustrations add to the attraction: vegetables of various sorts adorn the walls; even the queen's eyes are made of peas; and the front and back inside covers detail the "before" and "after" scenes in the palace garden.

While my daughter enjoys this book at age 2, I know that older children would be delighted, as well. A beginning reader could probably master the text after a few times through with help; in addition, the notion of telling a fairy tale from the perspective of some lesser character is one which could be used as a creative writing exercise in the early grades.

As for me, I will be on the lookout for more gems from Mini Grey!

I recently used this book during my lesson on fractured fairy tales. The students really enjoyed comparing and contrasting this version to the original fairy tale. You know that there are always two sides to every story.

There are some books which are more fun for parents than kids, and this might be one of them. I found this retelling of the tale to be creative, yet oddly uncompelling. If your kids already know the story of the princess and the pea, then this postmodern tale might be amusing. I'm not a big fan of the traditional princess-marries-the-prince fairy tale, but this one didn't cut it for me or my kids. Since some reviewers seem to love it, I suggest you check it out of the library first to see what you think.

I died laughing reading this book, it was absolutely darling. The pea is a very smart one, having undertaken the task of making a princess seem acceptable for the queen, and when the pea learns of the woman's identity, he is very surprised! As will you be.

A lovely tale for male or females, this book has enchanting illustration that draw the reader in to the plight of the pea.

Yet another book written by a vegetable, who helps humans find love and live happily ever after. Oh, wait, that's not a common theme, so this book really does stand out! Inventive storyline plus terrific illustrations by Mini Grey make this another wonderful updated fairy tale. She always does the best job breathing new life into stories that I thought had been played out.

This is the well known story of the Princess and the Pea, but narrated now by the never-before-heard-from Pea. This super special veggie was born in the Palace Garden, where she was privy to hearing all the palace secrets. While the pea is growing on her vine, the Queen is nagging her son the Prince to find a bride and settle down. She gives him one year to complete his task, or his allowance will be revoked. Her threat is quite motivating and the Prince enters the dating pool.

None of the girls he meets are quite right. Too loud, too scruffy, too sleepy, too scary, too tidy, too pink, or too grumpy. The Queen has had it. She stalks into the kitchen, snatches a pea from a bowl and announces the prince will marry the first girl who can feel the tiny vegetable as she sleeps. And that is how the pea spends the next few months crammed under a pile of twenty mattresses and feather beds and a princess. Although the princesses might find the set-up extremely odd, they would never admit that to the Queen.

One night, the gardener who raised the Pea finds herself trying to sleep-balance on the towering stack. The Pea keeps her up all night, making the bed as uncomfortable as possible. Upon hearing of her restless night, the Queen declares the gardener to be the perfect bride (even if she does wear overalls to her wedding) thanks to the little pea. The married couple lived happily after ever, creating beautiful gardens with the Prince's allowance.

I love the way Grey works in all the vegetable details through the book. The Queen's bright green eyes look exactly like fresh peas, and the castle wallpaper is printed with rows of cascading carrots, leeks and peppers. One set of curtains is printed with strawberries and other with avocados. Even the stack of mattresses looks like a stacked sandwich with blankets that strongly resemble slices of tomato, onion, and lettuce.

The gardener is visible through the window working away in the background on several different pages. It gives the reader the impression that the Prince's true love is right outside his window .... if only he were to notice. All the fun details make this an updated tale that you won't want to miss.

This whimsical remaking of the original Princess and the Pea story is told in a modern day matter-of-fact sort of prose. The pea narrates this book in the first person. The illustrations are quite charming and overall, this is an engaging and entertaining book.

DeeDee Fox, author and illustrator, The Ruby Red Slippers

This book is beautifully illustrated, and is a very gentle, loving look at relationships and being true to yourself.

This book has the possibility to be a great read for children who like turn about fairy tales. Lots of chances to enlarge on humor but it had more pic's than substance. Hoping it would be as funny a read like the Nick Page story books. Story line is too predictable.
savanna