Overview
His Highness the Prince may be a frog, but that's not going to stop these lively girls from attending his ball. Starting with Princess Alice, the twentysix princesses-each with personality to spare-head to the palace, eager to make his acquaintance. But with Princess Jane being a pain, Princess Kay losing her way, and Princess Betty still getting ready, they'll be lucky if they manage to steal any kisses from this prince!
Dave Horowitz creates a party kids won't want to miss, a wildly fun way to practice the alphabet and a frog's-eye view of the courtly life.
Synopsis
His Highness the Prince may be a frog, but that's not going to stop these lively girls from attending his ball. Starting with Princess Alice, the twentysix princesses—each with personality to spare—head to the palace, eager to make his acquaintance. But with Princess Jane being a pain, Princess Kay losing her way, and Princess Betty still getting ready, they'll be lucky if they manage to steal any kisses from this prince!
Dave Horowitz creates a party kids won't want to miss, a wildly fun way to practice the alphabet and a frog's-eye view of the courtly life.
Children's Literature
Twenty-six princesses go to meet the frog prince in his palace; thus, Horowitz can show a different princess and pithy rhyme for each letter of the alphabet. From "Princess Alice, First to the palace," through "Princess Flo, Waiting to go" and "Princess Grace, Making a face" all the way to "Princess Zaire. Finally there," each has a distinct personality and story. Then, "Put them all together and what do you get? A royal pain in the alphabet!" Horowitz meets the challenge of theme and variation in this delightful visual romp, presenting a different female, frog, context, and caption in each image. He mixes media, shamelessly borrows images from art like Botticelli's Venus, includes impolite actions like passing gas, and generally has fun. Each gal has her own colorfully-bordered page, and the final double-page spread puts all of them together with passing frogs in delightful pandemonium. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Twenty-six princesses go to meet the frog prince in his palace; thus, Horowitz can show a different princess and pithy rhyme for each letter of the alphabet. From "Princess Alice, First to the palace," through "Princess Flo, Waiting to go" and "Princess Grace, Making a face" all the way to "Princess Zaire. Finally there," each has a distinct personality and story. Then, "Put them all together and what do you get? A royal pain in the alphabet!" Horowitz meets the challenge of theme and variation in this delightful visual romp, presenting a different female, frog, context, and caption in each image. He mixes media, shamelessly borrows images from art like Botticelli's Venus, includes impolite actions like passing gas, and generally has fun. Each gal has her own colorfully-bordered page, and the final double-page spread puts all of them together with passing frogs in delightful pandemonium. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia MarantzSchool Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2- From "Princess Alice./First to the palace" to "Princess Zaire./Finally there," 26 enthusiastic young royals head to a castle where they have been invited to meet the prince. Each page sports a princess, one for each letter of the alphabet, introduced with a brief rhyming verse and a vibrant cartoon illustration. Adding to the fun is the fact that the prince and all of the other supporting characters are frogs. Horowitz has a light, witty touch, and the text is rich with puns. The words and the pictures play off one another perfectly, encouraging children to pore over each humorously detailed portrait. For example, "Princess Flo./Waiting to go," shows a girl, arms crossed and scowling, sitting in a broken-down carriage, while a perplexed-looking frog, garbed in a mechanic's outfit, stares at a wrench and another holds an instruction sheet ("How to Fix a Wheel"). Princess Nell ("What is that smell?") looks embarrassed after emitting several small pink gas clouds ("toot"), while two frogs, a monk and a knight, react to the odor. When all of the guests finally arrive, the prince isn't sure what he's gotten himself into: "Put 'em all together/and what do you get?/A royal pain in the alphabet!" Packed with child appeal, this offering is appropriate for sharing aloud or for independent perusal.-Anne Parker, Milton Public Library, MA