The Princess of 8th Street

October 15, 2012
As a make-believe Princess, Jane has plenty to do: having tea with her subjects (her dolls), managing the royal zoo (her collection of stuffed animals), and being a patron of learning and the arts. In reality, though, Jane is a lonely and shy girl who is easily intimidated by the “rough-and-tumble sports” of the playground. Just when Jane is at her lowest, she meets a kindred spirit—“Samantha, the Princess of 10th Street”—and they establish a joint kingdom and a fast friendship. Alsenas’s (Hello My Name Is Bob) narration has a lovely sense of formality that instantly establishes a sense of play and welcomes readers into Jane’s world (one can easily imagine Patrick Stewart intoning the words). The fine ink outlines and soft colors of Alsenas’s images exude a suitably regal deportment, although some readers may wonder whether there’s something physically wrong with Jane—she often looks uneasy and has difficulty running. But the joy in her face when she discovers a like-minded girl proves that connection is indeed a powerful tonic. Ages 4–8. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management.

October 1, 2012
A young girl imagines her home to be a palace, but outside on the playground, life is not quite so royal and charming. Jane has many responsibilities as a princess. She must study (Math for Monarchs), manage the royal zoo (stuffed animals) and have tea with her ladies-in-waiting (dolls) "every day at half past three." She must also watch out for her "horrible toad" of a brother who torments her kingdom--as all brothers are apt to do. But outside the safety of her castle, Princess Jane is quiet and shy. One day, while accompanying the Queen (her mother) to the market, she stops at the "pleasure grounds," where many lords and ladies are running and playing. Princess Jane doesn't think she fits in and has avoided the playground in the past; why should this time be any different? But to her surprise, she meets another "princess." She just might have a fairy-tale ending after all. Alsenas dresses Jane in pink frills, and the story's jacket is awash in sparkles, but with tantrums and worries, Princess Jane is identifiably, and most definitely, just a child navigating the world of making friends. A refreshing dose of reality for all those princess wannabes. (Picture book. 3-6)

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November 1, 2012

K-Gr 3-Princess Jane lives high in a tower (high-rise) overlooking her kingdom (the city). There she attends to her royal duties, studying, dancing, and managing the royal zoo (her collection of stuffed animals). But being a princess is a lonely life. She must also endure a horrible toad (her brother) who crashes her tea parties. When the queen (Mom) asks Jane to accompany her to the market, the princess jumps at the chance. On the way, the queen suggests that Jane stop and play (at the "pleasure grounds"), but the princess insists that she is too delicate for such activity. As they pass the playground again on the way back, the queen insists she play with the other lords and ladies (children). Jane throws a royal tantrum until a confrontation with another maiden results in a standoff between the Princess of 8th Street and the Princess of 10th Street. Giggles ensue and a friendship is made. Young princesses in training may find this picture book somewhat appealing, but the story feels forced and the illustrations are one-dimensional. The facial expressions are exaggerated and the characters undistinguished. The formality of the text fails to engage readers and at times feels parenthetical to the art. The overall story, while it may ring true, is a tired one. Stick with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton's "The Very Fairy Princess" series (Little, Brown) for more appealing characters with a cheerier demeanor.-C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY

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