Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creative prince saves the day in fun, nonviolent tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE PINK PRINCE begins, the princesses -- including Princess Posy, the mermaid introduced in the previous book -- have gathered at the Princess Snapdragon's castle for the Flower Festival and Ball. When a giant emu crushes the box of decorations and a mirror disco ball that Princess Magnolia (aka the Princess in Black) had brought, a helpful knight in shining armor -- Prince Valerian -- uses his lance nonviolently to shoo the emu away, then offers to help. "But I don't need a knight's help," she says. "What I really need is a hero that fixes decorations and ruined balls." It turns out that's exactly what the prince is good at. He ducks into a tent to changes into his hero costume (just like Princess Magnolia does) and comes out as the Pink Prince, wearing all pink -- shiny boots that are good for dancing, a sparkly mask, cape, and tiara, pink ribbons, on his belt, and a holster equipped with scissors and a hand mirror. He enters the ballroom "in a storm of sparkles," and the two decorate the ballroom, tying the mirror shards to the ribbons, adding flowers, and decorating cupcakes. "Major glam!" But then then disruptive emu comes back with her Flightless Bird Herd (two ostrich twins). It's time for the Princess in Black and her hero friends -- including the Pink Prince -- to stop them from ruining the ball.
Is It Any Good?
This story takes a different approach to conflict resolution than the usual cartoonish, funny battle with monsters the series is known for. In The Princess in Black and the Pink Prince, the conflict is with big, flightless birds who are angry that no one invited them to the ball. The new hero, the Pink Prince, wins them over with glamorous outfits and joins the Princess in Black and the other heroes to teach them how to dance and they all become friends. Crisis averted!
It's nice to see a fresh approach to dealing with opponents rather than bashing them. And casting in a leading role a boy who favors pink and glitter and uses creativity to save the day is a fresh idea, too. All kinds of people can be heroes! Even as the knight Prince Valerian, he uses his lance for nonviolent persuasion to shoo the emu out and banish her behind a gate. It's all a glittering example of problem solving without resorting to violence.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about creative ways to deal with opponents. How do The Princess in Black and the Pink Prince win over the angry birds? What are some ways you could deal with bullying kids without having a physical confrontation?
What's fun about dress up? How did the Pink Prince guess that giving the birds glamorous, glittery things to wear would make them feel less like fighting, more like dancing, and less likely to ruin the ball?
How do the characters show courage, teamwork, and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
What did you think of having the heroes confront flightless birds rather than monsters this time? Did you miss the monsters?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : LeUyen Pham
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick
- Publication date : April 11, 2023
- Number of pages : 96
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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