A review by ashleylm
The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale
4.0
Fun, short, easy, not-annoying (the first three adjectives are common for this kind of book, but the last, not so much!)
The Princess in Black is new to me--she's apparently a part-time superhero, who's overworked and tired. I can relate to tired, in a way that the average child might not get, so there's something for everyone here. I'm reminded of the anime 魔王城でおやすみ (Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle) who is also desperate for a bit of shut-eye.
The illustrations are cute and engaging, the story rolics along, there are two protagonists for the price of one, and it's a charmer. I can imagine this being re-read several times.
There seems to be a gap in the market between picture book and novel--something short, easy to read, but not achingly simple or tiresomely complex. This is a welcome addition to the short list of decent books of that ilk. (I think Mercy Watson is a similar tone/length).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
The Princess in Black is new to me--she's apparently a part-time superhero, who's overworked and tired. I can relate to tired, in a way that the average child might not get, so there's something for everyone here. I'm reminded of the anime 魔王城でおやすみ (Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle) who is also desperate for a bit of shut-eye.
The illustrations are cute and engaging, the story rolics along, there are two protagonists for the price of one, and it's a charmer. I can imagine this being re-read several times.
There seems to be a gap in the market between picture book and novel--something short, easy to read, but not achingly simple or tiresomely complex. This is a welcome addition to the short list of decent books of that ilk. (I think Mercy Watson is a similar tone/length).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!