Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power by Vita Murrow - ADVISABLE

Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power by Vita Murrow, illustrated by Julia Bereciartu, 95 pages. PICTURE BOOK/CHAPTER BOOK. Lincoln Children’s Books, 2018. 9781786032034

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

This book starts with an imaginary letter from the author about going to a royal conference and overhearing the princesses talk about how they wish people understood who they truly were. The author explains that this sent her on a quest to collect their true stories and share them in this book. This book then shares the stories of fifteen princess and how they are more than people think. For example, Little Red Riding Hood’s story covers topics of urban sprawl and animal activitism along with the story of saving her grandma using her wits. 

My third grader devoured this book. She has long been frustrated by princess culture, and loved the messages in these stories. They are told in traditional fairy tale format, but with bolder characters and more modern themes. I think this book will push kids to read more formal writing without losing interest. These would also be a fun read aloud title for a classroom, although all of the main characters are female. 

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher