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Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated (by )

common sense media says

Warm-hearted, beautifully illustrated flight of fancy.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the heroine in this whimsical fantasy doesn’t want to be weighed down by her unusual problem. Kids might be alarmed when the princess begins to float aloft, but her concerned parents keep watch over her and Hyacinth feels joy and awe, not fear. The princess strips down to her underpants for her high-flying adventures. An affectionate friendship between the princess and Boy blossoms as the pair find a way for the princess to safely play.

Positive messages: A clever friend helps the princess find a way to live happily -- and freely.
Positive role models: The princess generally respects her parents' rules, but is eager to find her own path; boy is kind, generous, and clever.
Violence & scariness: A flyaway princess alarms her parents, but they keep a watchful eye on her and she never seems worried.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about Princess Hyacinth’s isolation. How does she feel as she watches the kids play? What could she and her family have done to ease her loneliness? 
  • How do the princess and her parents view her upward tendency at the start of the book? How do their views change? Do you think the ability to float would be fun or worrisome?

What's the story?

What's the story?
What child doesn’t dream of soaring among the clouds? For Princess Hyacinth, alas, being lighter than air is a curse, not a blessing. She would float away forever if she weren’t weighed down by her royal trappings. The lonely princess is resigned to watching kids play outside from the safety of her stony castle. One day, she impulsively tries a plan to float along with a bouquet of balloons -- but finds herself going up, up, up ... Luckily, a new friend comes to her rescue.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Princess Hyacinth follows her parents’ rules but yearns to break free. Hyacinth is a sensible, fearless heroine, a good alternative to the saccharine, sparkly trifles all too often presented to kids. This is, at its core, a gentle coming-of-age story: Hyacinth knows her loving parents mean well, but she needs to test her wings. Through her friendship with Boy, at long last she’s able to soar.

Heide’s prose is engaging, but it is Lane Smith’s rich brush-and-ink artwork that makes this whimsical fairy tale a treasure. Princess Hyacinth glumly trudges about with her crown squashed down on her head. When she finally floats free, she nearly catapults off the page with freewheeling joy. Pre-readers can enjoy the book on their own just by savoring the lovely pictures.

Elegant, whimsical, and absolutely delightful.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Publication date: September 22, 2009
Number of pages: 48
Hardcover price: $17.99
Read Aloud: 4
Read Alone: 7
This review was written by Darienne Hosley Stewart
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

1skyblue
parent of 18 year old
12
 
it is apsulutly realy good?
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
bookwormforever
adult
3
 
very sweet, great for older preschoolers
I loved reading it to the kids I babysitted. They were interested the whole book and they liked the beautiful pictures! They have all especially liked the part where she eats popcorn with Boy at the end.
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (2)

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