Caryl HartThe Princess and the Shoe (Princess Series)

This is one of a series of lovely illustrated books. My grandchildren have all of them & can’t get enough of this Princess series. I give them, too as gifts . Highly recommend!

Really wanted to like this because my kids love the Princess & the Giant, but have been quite disappointed. I can see that the book is trying to hammer home the idea that princesses can be normal people who like playing and running (obviously ?!), and don’t need to kiss princes and be pretty, but unfortunately it spends too much time at the beginning talking about those very things. I feel very uncomfortable reading to my young children about princesses kissing princes and getting married and not being sweaty for a man etc… it’s just not age appropriate. I’ve had to cross out several stanza. It puts the ideas in their minds in the first place! It’s just strange in this day and age really. Children nowadays don’t think princesses/girls should do those things anyway so why is there a book saying they should, then that they shouldn’t? It’s really dated but weirdly was only published in 2014. I guess things have moved on a lot since then.

Another great picture book in the series, we are big fans of these. I love the rhyming verse and the way the story flows throughout the book. The images are really detailed and engaging and add to the overall story. The books are of a good size for reading together and they always have a little twist on the classic story.The little princess Jasmine really wants to run, play and enjoy some adventures plus prove that princesses (girls) can do anything they put their mind to. Really liked this part of the story as I feel this is important for all children "Your dreams are important, they're what make you, YOU. Let nobody tell you there's things you can't do"Love this publisher, good quality books and fun engaging stories. I keep a look out for them.

We loved the book i wish the others in the series were the same princess to make it a continuation.Things my daughter loved.The princess sense of adventureThe funny bits in itThe length now shes nearly 5 she wants longer books that have more of a story this satisfies both of these.The ending. We wont ruin it !!Things i loved as a parent.The lead princess wasnt sterotypical blonde, long hair? Caucasian.Wvwn though we are not a blended family i like she comes feom a blended family without it being an mention in the book.Really love the sense of independence it shows our children.

Wonderful illustrations. For the most part great rhyming text. Immense to have a strong, mixed heritage girl as the protagonist of a modern fairy tale. Rare that physical activity is made so central to a story... very important in these days of screen games. 2 year old can't get enough of it. Great.