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Once Upon a Marigold

(2004, Fiction - Fairy Tale, Written by Jean Ferris)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Delightfully offbeat fairytale full of surprises.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The hero, Christian, throws the occasional tantrum when he is young and there is some fighting, however the majority of characters display positive behavior. The evil queen lives up to her name, but all negative actions receive the proper punishment.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Innocent people are dragged off to the dungeons. People are frequently banished from the kingdom. A man is punched by a giant. A woman plots to kill two people either through an accident or poison. There is mention of hunting animals for food.
  • Sex:

    Typical fairytale romance with several weddings.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults are shown drinking wine, typical for the time in which the story took place.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Once Upon a Marigold

Parents need to know this book has some classic fairytale situations including romance and an evil queen. There is talk of love, marriage, adoption, and murder by poison.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it means to be a family. Do you need to be related to be a family? In what ways does Edric act like a parent toward Christian? Do you know someone that has a non-traditional family?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    good fairytale for kids, preteends, and teens.

    I read this book about 2 years ago and really loved it! I think this book is good for ages 8-14. Loved it!

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Loved It!

    I just finished reading this book and it was amazing! It's very good for any teen who loves a good fairytale. I like the cover. It says: part romance, part comady, part everything-but-the-kicten sink.

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