Princesses on the Run

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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Princesses on the Run is an imaginative story about a princess who's so bored with her life in the castle that she runs out into the forest and keeps on running to the sea. Along the way she meets other fairy tale princesses and characters -- including Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty -- and they have such fun they shake up their lives in modern ways (yoga, cross-country running) when they return home. It's a cute story with a lighthearted message about getting out once in a while to appreciate a change of pace -- and what you have back home.
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What's the Story?
Princess Antonia is bored. She's tried of all her toys, her pet elephant, and her castle, so she takes off running into the forest. There she passes familiar fairy tale princesses Rapunzel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White, who tag along, enjoying the freedom from their normal lives. They also pick up Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Billy Goats Gruff and some other forest creatures, and all end up at the sea for a beautiful sunset. They return to their homes invigorated -- Rapunzel cuts her hair in an easy-to-maintain bob, Cinderella designs a funky new dress, Sleeping Beauty discovers yoga, and Snow White continues running on a cross-country tour. And Antonia is happy she has new friends, is no longer bored, and appreciates what she has, especially her pet elephant.
Is It Any Good?
PRINCESSES ON THE RUN is an exuberant princess story that shows the cure for boredom is getting up and going out. Whimsical stylized art shows familiar fairy tale characters becoming friends and changing their lives in funny, modern, girl-power ways, led by the appealing Princess Antonia, who breaks free but also learns to appreciate what she has at home. It's princess-y enough to appeal to fans of pretty dresses and fancy settings, yet packs a fresh, positive message or two.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about boredom. What do you do to keep from getting bored or to stop feeling bored?
How is this princes story different from others you've read or seen on TV or in a movie?
What do you think about different fairy tale characters meeting and becoming friends? Which one would you like for a friend?
Book Details
- Author: Smiljana Coh
- Illustrator: Smiljana Coh
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Book Characters, Fairy Tales, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Running Press Kids
- Publication date: May 14, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love adventurous princesses and picture books
Themes & Topics
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