I Want to Do It Myself!

January 3, 2011
In her latest outing, Little Princess is going camping and she doesn't need any help—at all. "No!" she replies when the general offers her his horse. "I want to do it myself!" But when the princess arrives at her campsite, she discovers that she's left some items behind (like, say, a tent, food, and a blanket) and has to search the woods for supplies. Thanks to a legion of bustling servants, the items appear in her absence, providing ample humor. With gestural strokes, Ross's ink and watercolor illustrations play up the princess's impudence; readers should relate, while recognizing that a little assistance never hurts. Ages 4–9.

February 1, 2011

PreS-Gr 1-In a burst of independence, Little Princess decides to take a camping trip alone. Everyone in the castle rushes to help her get ready, but she wants to do it alone. Putting more energy into the declaration than the preparation, she manages to arrive at her campsite completely ill-equipped. She has forgotten everything from her tent to her toothbrush. Fortunately she gets a great deal of behind-the-scenes help and returns to the castle no wiser, believing she really did do everything herself. The charming pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations and clever play between words and pictures help set the tone to keep the story fun. Fans of the series will be pleased to have another installment.-Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.