The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier Illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer

Published by Sterling Children’s Books (A division of Sterling Publishing)

Pages: 88

Ages: 7 and up

Publishers Summary: Go beyond Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella! Some princesses are well-known to all children—but others, equally magical (and sometimes, a lot funnier) have remained anonymous, mysterious, and far from the fairy-tale crowd. Now these captivating ladies are finally stepping out of the shadows where they’ve remained hidden for far too long. With wit, sublime humor, and beautiful art, The Secret Lives of Princesses introduces a bevy of royal daughters to the court of young readers.  While it alludes to some of their more famous sisters, this large and lusciously illustrated compendium presents such unique and unforgettable characters as the petite Princess Claire Voyant, who can see very far into tomorrow (but muddles her predictions); Princess Oblivia, who forgets everything and misses all her appointments; Princess Tangra-La, who does the tango, the fandango, and any dance that comes her way; and Princess Babbling Brooke, who chatters on and on about everything and nothing. Plus, you’ll learn about such princessy matters as the language of fans; coats of arms; and how not to offend dangerous fairies who cast evil spells.Poetic, often humorous, and always enchanting, this is the perfect collection for princess-loving girls who long for more than just the traditional fairy tale.

“Were you the little girl dying to have your turn with the magic wand and tiara? You know…the one who sang along with every Little Mermaid song or Sleeping Beauty aria. You could have even been the girl who sat in her room dreaming of far off places and new adventures in some fairytale land. Perhaps not, maybe you just happen to know a little girl who fits one of these situations. I know I do, at least a few of them actually, and this book is just perfect for them…and me for that matter.

“The Secret Lives of Princesses is the other side of the coin when it comes to typical fairy tale princesses. Ever wonder what the real reason was for Sleeping Beauty’s hundred year sleep? It could be as simple as she’s related to the ever-so-sleepy Princess Somnia who can’t seem to be bothered to get out of bed even for the most important of events. And maybe Cinderella was really suffering from a case of memory loss when she forgot about her pumpkin carriage, similar to how Princess Oblivia forgets who she is on a regular basis. There is so much more to be learned from Princesses who stories have yet to be told, including their secrets, their pets, traditions and some very peculiar quirks. Each new-to-us Princess has something to share and none should be missed.

“One of the best parts about this book, besides the fantastic stories obviously, is the artwork. Each page you turn is like walking through an art gallery. I personally have many favorites that I’d love to have framed and hung in Littlebug’s bedroom. The illustrator, Rebecca Dautremer, is absolutely brilliant. The detail in each piece is phenomenal, because just when you think you’ve seen every little part you take another look to reveal a small button or thread coming loose. Amazing! The following images are taken straight from the book (courtesey of the publisher of course*), this first one is Princess For-A-Day because, unfortunately for her she is only a Princess for one day only.

“Princess Molly Coddle’s Garden Maze:

“As I said, each illustration is a work of art on it’s own and is something adults and children will appreciate equally. Children because the art will come alive in their imaginations and carry them to these far off places. For adults, there are so many reasons adults will love the illustrations, but most importantly, you will be taken to that same place the little girl next to you is dreaming of as you read together these new and very fun stories.

“The Secret Lives of Princesses was a book that I was immediately in love with from the moment I first had it in my hands. You will chuckle your way through page after page, but stare in awe at the beautiful artwork that accompanies each well-crafted story. It’s hard to imagine that these stories haven’t always exsisted, but they’re here now. Personally, as I mentioned already, I can think of at least three little girls in my life who will be enjoying a copy of this book very soon (as well as some very excited Mom’s, Aunt’s and Grandma’s). You absolutely don’t want to miss this wonderful book for all ages and imaginations.”

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 4 and up. Parents and children alike will laugh and be swept away by the wonderful stories and beautiful artwork behind these “new” Princesses and all their secrets.

For the Comments: Which of these new Princesses is your favorite? Take a look at the Portrait Gallery and come back and tell me. Not enough time? Who was your favorite as a child and what secret do you think they may have kept hidden?

The Secret Lives of Princesses Official Website with Fabulous Games:
Memory, Slide Puzzle, Matching, Personality Quiz, Portrait Gallery and Trading Card Info
The Secret Lives of Princesses Facebook Page

This book was provided by Sterling Children’s Books for review (find them online here and on Twitter here). Thank you!
*Images Reprinted with permission from The Secret Lives of Princesses. Illustrations © 2004 by Rébecca Dautremer, published by Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
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Blog Name: YS Princess’s Ideas, Resources, and Reviews
Blog URL: http://www.ysprincess.blogspot.com

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.

When I think about it, I realize I don’t really have much of a life outside of books. I’m a full time student at FSU, so I have my textbooks; I work full time at a library, so I’m surrounded by books at work; and when I’m not working or doing school, I still sometimes read for fun. I do have a couple random quirks/interesting facts:

I’ve backpacked the Grand Canyon rim to rim several times, and I can lick my elbow. I used to enjoy scrapbooking, until I spent every day for two weeks straight putting together an entire (and overstuffed at that) scrapbook for an anniversary present. I’m hoping by the time I have my own kids, I’m up for it again. My favorite place  in the world is Walt Disney World, though I’d really like to go to Ireland. People at work call me Disney Princess, and it’s not just the parks – I have yet to meet someone who can beat me at Disney SceneIt. I’m also slightly obsessed with the TV show Supernatural.

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.

I was really trying to think of some amazing book that no one else would ever say, but I have to admit – it would be the Harry Potter series – at least the first four. I first tried reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when I was 9 or 10 and couldn’t make it past the first chapter. It wasn’t too difficult for me, and I wasn’t what you’d consider a “reluctant reader”. I had been going to the library since I moved to florida when I was 3, was reading books on my own by 4 and made my way to the adult section “far too early”, and had the 10 books that my mother allowed me to check out from the library done the same night we had gone [to the library]. Something about the book just didn’t grab me. But when I gave the book another chance a year later, I made it through. And then I made it through the second and third. And then I made it through them all again 6 more times (each!) – though I only read the fourth one four times. I was the last in the generation that wasn’t raised on computers, so the first thing I can say I really did on my own on the computer was make a website for role-playing Harry Potter. It was amazing. I was always coming up with new things to add and always going through the books again and again. I had gone through the books so many times that I got to the point where just a quick scan of the page was all I needed to know what was on the entire page and whether I could use anything for my website (a lot of the ideas came straight from the books). I was very sad when Geocities closed this past October and I lost all my work.

“First things first…Harry Potter IS an amazing book/series. I think that anymore it doesn’t get enough credit because the YA genre has become such a huge part of the reading world, we often forget that a lot of it started with a boy who thought his parents were killed in a car crash. J.K. Rowling is an incredible story teller and I’m proud to say I also would consider her books some of my very most favorite.

“Now on to Elisabeth’s site. Wonderful! Just like her logo and banner indicate her site is full of amazing places any reader who loved to travel to. Even though her site is relatively new she’s amassed a great following and it’s easy to see why. She reviews all types of books, but because of her background in children’s literature she has a greater understanding of what a child (or those interested in children’s lit.) would love. I highly recommend her site, especially for those looking for their next adventure or parents looking for a great book for that little one in their life. You will love her site!

“Elisabeth is also having a 50 followers giveaway coming up very soon! She’s giving away a few books and even a $30 credit towards an online bookstore. So go, check out her site! If she can increase her followers to 100 she may even up the amount of books she’s giving away!”

Interested in participating in “When I Was Young”? Please use our contact form and let us know!

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Blog Name: Books and Movies
Blog URL: http://booksandmovies.colvilleblogger.com
Twitter Name: @booksandmovies
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/65745

When did you start your blog and why?
I started blogging in January of 2005, at my personal blog, Mommy Brain (http://carrie.homeschooljournal.net). I found blogging by accident while looking for homeschooling info online. What I found was a vibrant, supportive, encouraging community of homeschoolers who were bloggers. I started my blog as a way to connect with other homeschooling moms, and the advice and encouragement I received those first few years were so incredibly valuable.

After a few years, I stopped blogging about homeschooling so much. Not because we weren’t still homeschooling, but because it had simply become such a normal part of our routine that blogging about it would be like blogging about doing laundry. I had always posted about the books I was reading and had started to discover some really amazing book blogs. I decided to make Mommy Brain my personal blog, and start a blog focused on books and movies, two of my favorite things in the world.

I read almost any type of fiction and love to blog about reading, books, buying books, and wishing for books. The book blogging community is amazing, and full of so many smart, funny, and caring people. I still post occasionally on my personal blog, but book blogging has become my passion.

Tell us a little about yourself outside of your interest in books.
Oops, I think I answered some of that in the above question! Let’s see – I’ve been married to Kevin for what will be 15 years in March. We live in Colville, Washington, a little town north of Spokane and south of the Canadian border. My husband is a computer guy and maintains my blog for me. I have four kids: Natalie, age 13; Noah, age 11; Jonathan, age 10; and Josiah, age 8. One of my favorite part of homeschooling is reading aloud to my kids, and I often review the middle grade fiction we’ve been enjoying together. I used to work as a freelance writer, too, although that has pretty much dried up with the economy. Now, most of my writing energies are focused on blogging.

Your favorite book from your youth and the story behind it.
One of my most favorite books growing up was Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink. I must have read it a dozen times! I have three younger sisters who loved me to read aoud to them, and I read it to each one of them in turn as they became old enough to sit still. Baby Island is the story of 12-year-old Mary Wallace and her 10-year-old sister, Jean. They are on an ocean liner bound for Australia, where they will join their father on his ranch. Then spend their time on the ship playing mother to the various toddlers and babies of the other passengers. When the ship wrecks, Mary and Jean are set afloat in a life raft with four babies, and when they run aground on a deserted island, the two girls must find a way to survive and to take care of their four little wards until they are rescued. This book appealed to the wanna-be Mommy in me – and I loved the adventure and the way the two sisters related to each other. I read it aloud to my own daughter a few years ago, and it was a hit with her, too.

“What I love about Carrie (and it goes without saying, her blog too) is that she is such a community builder. Not just as in she knows all the blogs around (because she does), but that she knows most everyone behind those blogs. Even with a hectic schedule taking care of kiddos, homeschooling and anything else that comes up she still manages to reach out to those around her. She cares and she puts that into what she does on the net. I love it!

“Carrie’s site Books and Movies is also fabulous! She has wonderful taste in books…and movies, that keep me coming back for more. I’m always anxious to see how she feels about a certain book or movie she just read or watched. She recently read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare (one of my favorites) and I was constantly checking back just to see what she thought.

“So, go, look and find a new friend for life! Carrie’s site is not one to be missed!”

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When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Published by Wendy Lamb Books (A division of Random House)

208 Pages

Ages: 9-12



Publishers Summary: Four mysterious letters change Miranda’s world forever.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:
I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.
The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

“Words can barely describe how I feel about this book and all it reveals about us as human beings. Miranda is the kind of girl we all are or were. We struggle to find out why things go the way they do and suffer, sometimes in silence, through the changes that happen in our lives. Being about the life of a girl in her early teens it’s easy to assume it’s written only to reveal the paths our lives can take when were young, but it is about much more. Primarily about caring for others and taking an active roll in transforming the lives of those around us. Doing these seemingly small things have the power to transform their lives and ultimately our own character. This is exactly what happens to Miranda. I may be alone in my thinking, but this is the way it touched me.

“Rebecca Stead has beautifully crafted an amazing journey that spans what seems decades when it is only a few months. So many times in my reading of this book I thought I had some part of it completely figured out, only to learn I was just off and the subtle changes made the difference. After reading a bit more about Stead herself I can see where some of the twists come from, because as she says, “The most important thing to know about writing is that there are no rules.” Her imagination takes you places and helps you to feel things you may have not thought about in ages and it’s wonderful.

“My most genuine feeling about the journey of this book was how much I can’t wait to share it with my own children, Littlebug in particular. When things can be so difficult, this book shows a way to make the best of things. It’s truly a book for all ages and very appropriate for a young audience. And although I know it will appeal to younger readers I feel that an adult audience has so much to gain by reading When You Reach Me. As you will find deeper meaning in the relationships you have carried with you through the years.”

“Also, if you have a second, check out Rebecca’s website, it’s so cute and really fun!”

This book was a gift for my birthday to reside in our home library.
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