The Paper Princess
Gorgeously illustrated adventure fosters imagination.
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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 The Paper Princess, by author-illustrator Elisa Kleven, is a delightful, imaginative book that uses the idea of making a paper princess to celebrate autonomy, exploration, and adventurousness. As readers follow the adventure of a paper princess who gets whooshed away in the wind, they experience the multifaceted slivers of the world through her eyes.
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What's the Story?
A little girl makes a paper princess, but a gust of wind carries it away. Though the paper princess finds one adventure after the next and meets a wonderful cast of characters along the way, she longs for the little girl who made her and tries to find her way back.
Is It Any Good?
THE PAPER PRINCESS is an unexpected charmer, by turns adventurous, sweet, and heartfelt. And there's nothing traditionally princess-y about this half-finished paper doll who flies about looking for wondrous experiences. With gorgeous mixed-media collages and inventive turns, the story moves beautifully and expressively through a richly created world, evoking all the longing, thrill, and excitement of innocent exploration on the path to gaining independence.
There are multiple entry points for a spectrum of readers here -- the beauty of art making, the letting go of our creations, the wonderment of exploring the world, the importance of allowing the world to shape us, and the desire always to return home. Parents will love the tenderness of this message, and kids will delight in the story's exciting landscapes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the paper princesses' travels. Which places she goes are your favorites? Why?
How is this princess different from other princesses you've seen or read about? How is she the same?
Why does the girl who gives the princess green hair not like it? What does the princess think about her green hair?
Book Details
- Author: Elisa Kleven
- Illustrator: Elisa Kleven
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Puffin
- Publication date: May 1, 1998
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 5
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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