A Genuine and Moste Authentic Guide: Princess: A Glittering Guide for Young Ladies (Genuine & Moste Authentic Guides) (Hardcover)

~ Madame Sparklington (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Young readers to the tiara born will delight in this novelty-rich resource no princess would be caught without.

Madame Sparklington is finally retiring from her exclusive finishing school for young ladies. But fret not! She is committing all her wisdom to this lighthearted yet practical guide to bringing out the princess in every girl. Within these prettily packed pages are tips on how to dress; on deportment and etiquette; on health, hair and beauty; on Prince Charmings and preparing for your first ball. Gorgeously girly and filled with such novelties as booklets, flaps, and cards; a mix-and-match wardrobe; and glitter galore; here is a treasure trove of secrets for princesses to pore over and to put charming to good use.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763634301
• ISBN-13: 978-0763634308
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 9.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #234,909 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A PRINCESS PRIMER, January 28, 2007

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Tying into the idea that many little girls dream of growing up and meeting their Prince Charming, Candlewick Press has presented a sparkling primer for potential princesses. After all, there's a great deal for a girl to learn before she assumes her royal duties and little is omitted as we first receive tips on "Etiquette and Manners," then take a peek at "Accessories," next attend our first banquet, and at long last set sights on Prince Charming. (For the uninitiated, "Flick open your fan and hold it so only your eyes are visible. Look directly at Prince Charming and then away again.")

The unpaginated 10" by 10" volume is rich with foldouts, sparkles, and envelopes to be opened. Madame Sparklinton is our guide and certainly knows her p's and q's - everything from how to stifle a yawn because princesses should not look bored to suggesting a few royal curses that princesses may use as long as they don't do so often. Therefore, if absolutely necessary, you may utter "Flippering Frogs" "Oh, Bother!" "Dash It and Diamonds" or in the most dire circumstances, "Curses and Crowns!"

Health and Beauty tips may present a challenge for some, such as rinsing hair "in water from the purest mountain stream" or taking "a soothing candlelit bath scattered with rose petals." Nonetheless, one must persevere for the princely prize!

Much of Sparklington's advice is delivered tongue-in-cheek, much is helpful, such as proper diet, exercise, and an illustration of table settings complete with directions for use of silverware. All of it is entertaining and bound to keep young misses enthralled for hours. Recommended for ages three and up.

A deep curtsey to Candlewick!

- Gail Cooke

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you Madame Sparklington!, December 30, 2006

By	S. Nunes-ranchy "Aixoise" (wishing I could be reading) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On a search for a book for my (not-just-Disney) princess obsessed daughter, my search yielded this one and the Princess Primer book (think Dragonology and the sort). Since the Princess Primer had such mixed reviews, I looked at the Glittering Guide for Young Ladies and was not disappointed in the least. Lessons include: etiquette and manners, wardrobe, accessories, health and beauty, your first banquet, your first ball and Prince Charming.

While I generally try to steer her away from books of this nature (who needs to encourage another looks-obsessed, damsel in distress?) the book is light-hearted and sweet and did not offend my feminist sensibilities. Consequently, this quickly became a book that I could enjoy watching my 7 year old devour (and devour, she did!).

The pictures are slightly reminiscent of 1900-1920's and the book includes recipes for homemade beauty secrets as well as several peek-under flaps, and additional pull-outs. While we normally try to avoid anything covered in sparkles, their inclusion in this book is tasteful and they seem to remain glued quite nicely to the book (as opposed to coming off on hands and furniture with every reading as is the case with some of our other books). One caveat: this is not a book that will be appreciated by the younger set (the age range is supposedly 4-8 but it's way over 4 year old vernacular and interest).

If your daughter is serious about wanting to know all there is about the style and etiquette of a true princess, take a look at this book.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just Another Princess Book, July 18, 2007

By	Minnie Van - See all my reviews

I purchased this book for my daughter's birthday. She has taken all of the advice to heart. When I asked my daughter what the main idea of the book was, she told me that "being a princess was all about making other people feel like royalty and always trying to be kind to others." I appreciate how beautiful and well constructed this book is but, mostly I appreciate how it made my daughter feel and that she carries it with her and rereads sections over and over again.