The Princess in Black
A teacher’s look at why this book belongs in the Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me stage.
Why it fits Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me (for the kindergarten-ready set, between being read to and reading alone)
Princess Magnolia has a monster-fighting secret identity. It cheerfully demolishes the princess/hero divide with ninja moves. Fast chapters and bold art bridge picture books and novels perfectly.
What makes it special
Hale had the simple, overdue idea: the princess and the monster-fighter are the same girl. LeUyen Pham's action spreads pop with comic-book energy while keeping the tiaras. Short chapters, big art, zero condescension — the bridge format done exactly right.
From the publisher
Who says princesses don’t wear black? When trouble raises its blue monster head, Princess Magnolia ditches her flouncy dresses and becomes the Princess in…
About Shannon Hale
Shannon Hale is a Newbery Honor winner (Princess Academy) who writes across every format — novels, graphic memoirs (Real Friends), and The Princess in Black, co-written with husband Dean Hale, which detonated the pink-or-brave false choice.
Hale pitched Princess in Black after her daughter was told princesses can't fight monsters; the series answer — of course they can, in black — has sold millions.
Also by this author: Princess Academy · Real Friends · The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
More from “Chapter One, Together”
This book is part of The Best Books for Beginning Readers: 30 Teacher Picks (Read-to-Me, Read-by-Me) in our guide The Best Children’s Books by Age — 120 books chosen by the Montessori-certified teachers at Creative Minds Montessori in Frisco, TX. Come see how we build readers →
Nobody paid for this review — not the author, not the publisher — and the store link above earns us nothing. Our only interest is the reader this book fits.