Princesses Are Not Just Pretty

January 13, 2014
After purple-haired Princess Mellie offhandedly remarks to Princess Allie and Princess Libby that she’s the prettiest of the three, it sets off an argument that quickly escalates into a beauty contest. All three princesses spend time perfecting their skyscraper bouffants and beautifying themselves—a particularly hilarious image shows Princess Allie doing squats with a scepterlike barbell. But on the day of the competition, all three get involved in messy rescue missions that find them being crowned the “yuckiest,” “drippiest,” and “muddiest” princesses in the land (but also the best). With sparkling wit and comically luxuriant illustrations, the princesses’ third outing reminds readers that grace under fire is as valuable as being able to walk in towering heels. Ages 3–6.

February 15, 2014
Who is prettiest: Princess Allie, Princess Mellie or Princess Libby? When Princess Mellie declares that she is, since "[i]t isn't everyone who has purple hair," Allie and Libby beg to differ. To settle the dispute, the princesses arrange to have a beauty contest and pick "four of the cleverest girls in the land" to be the judges. The text's playful language pokes good-natured fun at the princesses' self-absorption with their looks, as each tries to outdo the others in primping. On their separate ways to the contest, however, each spunky princess happens upon an emergency and does not hesitate to help--with the result that their carefully crafted ensembles are ruined. When they are lauded by the judges for being the "yuckiest," "drippiest" and "muddiest," readers understand that pretty may not be so important after all. This is the third princess picture book by Lum and Hellard (Princesses Are NOT Perfect, 2010, etc.), and their collaboration sings. The witty narrative is supported and enhanced by the artfully froufrou watercolor illustrations in pastel colors. Full of droll visual details not mentioned in the text (such as the way the animals in the story interact), these extras add richness and layers to the story. Exuberant and humorous, this pretty book has style and, yes, substance. (Picture book. 2-6)

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March 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 3-Princess fans will adore the return of Allie, Mellie, and Libby as they compete for the title of prettiest princess. Allie dotes on her freckles, claiming "I am the prettiest. It's my freckles, the way they sprinkle my cheeks like cinnamon. Everyone loves cinnamon!" Libby proclaims, "I am the prettiest. It's no use denying it. It's my nose, you see-the way it pokes up at the end is just adorable." Of course Mellie chimes in, declaring, "I am the prettiest. It isn't everyone who has purple hair, you know. It's extra special." On the way to the beauty contest, each princess encounters some type of obstacle. Allie puts out a fire at the palace bakery, Libby must save a little girl's kitten that fell in the water, and Mellie must help a small boy gather his runaway piglets. When they show up for the prettiest contest drippy, muddy, and messy, the judges state, "You have all shown us princesses are not just pretty!" A bit moralistic, but readers will cheer as all three princesses are deemed winners not based on how they look but what they have done to help others. Watercolor illustrations swell with poofy dresses, towering hair, and playful antics, adding spiffy dogs and cats primping in the mix. This is an entertaining story for picture book collections.-Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
This time, Lum's three princesses disagree egotistically about who's the prettiest; a beauty contest is to decide the matter. En route, each princess does a physically demanding good deed that ultimately earns her the title "yuckiest," "drippiest," or "muddiest." Lum ties up her fabulous story line too quickly: the reader misses the princesses' reactions. Loose-limbed illustrations depict them as lovable clods.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)