Savannah's Summer Reading List -- Twelve Dancing Princesses by Brigette Barrager (Review)

 

9 x 11 in; 40 pp;
full-color images throughout, ages 4-8
Guided Reading Level: N
Hardcover
Published in April, 2011
ISBN 9780811876964
ISBN10 0811876969  

Buy now for only $16.99.

Summary:

The talented Brigette Barrager lavishly illustrates this beautiful retelling of the Grimm Brothers' "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." In this fairy tale, twelve princesses wake up every morning to find their shoes are worn out and they are totally exhausted! A handsome suitor discovers that the princesses are enchanted, and that each night, in their sleep, they travel to a magical world to dance at a ball. Will this handsome suitor be able to break the spell and rescue the princesses? 

My Thoughts:

Before reading this book to Savannah, I flipped through it and fell in love with the beautiful illustrations depicting the twelve dancing princesses.  This is what I am talking about:

Gorgeous, huh?  Each page of this book is filled with bright and colorful illustrations, that draw your attention in, and keep you engaged.  I was not familiar with the original telling of this story by the Brothers Grimm.  But, when I asked my mother, she said she used to read it to me at bedtime.  So, I couldn't wait to read it Savannah, and see if I remembered.  Savannah, like me, loved the illustrations of the pretty princesses.  She would point to each one and say, "pretty."  At times, we both got caught up the illustrations and forget about the story.  But, as we continued to read, I began to remember this classic story, and was excited to be sharing a childhood title with my daughter.

This is a cute fairytale that will young girls dancing around acting like the princesses in this book.  Savannah loved the ending, when Pip was able to wake the girls from their dreaming and marry Poppy.  If you are looking for a fun fairytale to share with your little girl(s) this summer, why not pick up a copy of Twelve Dancing Princesses today.  And, when you do, make sure you head back here and let me know what you thought of the illustrations done by the author, Brigette Barrager.

About the Author/Illustrator:

Brigette Barrager graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in character animation. She inherited her mother's collection of fairy tale books as a child, and her love of those magical, fantastic, and dreamy worlds has never left her. She lives in Los Angeles, California, and this is her first book.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.