The Princess and the Pea

A long time ago, there lived a prince who was looking for someone very special to marry… One of Hans Christian Andersen’s most beloved stories gets a breathtaking showcase, with lavish art and an elegant retelling by acclaimed writer, professor, and radio host John Cech. It’s the second exquisite entry in the Classic Fairy Tale Collection series.
Although the handsome prince meets ladies blessed with beauty, wealth, and brains, he knows in his heart that none is the true princess he longs for. Then, one stormy night, a wet, disheveled, and very weary young woman knocks at the castle door. Could she be his queen? One tiny pea buried underneath twenty soft mattresses might reveal the truth…
Bernhard Oberdieck’s stunning images, with their soft color and unusual perspectives, capture all the fantasy and romance of Andersen’s appealing tale.

Kirsten CutlerCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information. - School Library Journal

K-Gr 4
Cech's fluid text sparkles in this well-crafted retelling. He fleshes out the character of the prince with a refreshing addition in which the young man tells the Queen, "I didn't need a pea to tell me she is a real princess. I could see it in the gentleness of her eyes, hear it in the softness of her voice, and feel it in the kindness of her heart." The illustrations, created with colored pencils, pastels, and acrylics, glow with lustrous yellow-gold, blue, and green tones. The court clothing is portrayed in splendid detail, and bold foregrounds dominate the pictures. In one lovely spread, the prince, dressed in blue knee breeches and a doublet trimmed with green ribbon, is lying on a couch; the Queen, wearing a lace-decorated yellow gown, is gazing at him from the background; behind her are the muted figures of dancing couples. An interesting historical note informs readers that similar story elements have appeared in tales from Sweden, Italy, and Kashmir. Children will enjoy this delightful rendition of an old favorite. For readers who prefer a more playful and humorous approach, suggest Lauren Child's fabulous version (Hyperion, 2006).

John Cech writes plays, poetry, and fiction for both children and adults, and is a Professor of English at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He is also the Director of the Center for Children’s Literature and Culture and has served as a judge for The New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year, as well as the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards; was President of the Children’s Literature Association; and won the Chandler Award of Merit for his work in Children’s Literature.