rcoaxum12's Full Review: Babette Cole - Princess Smartypants: Vietnamese/En...
Babette Cole has written many children’s books that seem to feature rebellious children. “Princess Smartypants” is certainly no exception. Babette Cole’s princess story has everything that both an adult and child would gladly appreciate: great sense of humor and a beautiful message about being yourself and standing up for what you believe is right.
SUMMARY
“Princess Smartypants” is a story about a young and independent princess who does not want to marry a prince because she enjoys spending time with her pets, which consists of dragons, giant slugs, and all manner of vicious creatures that hang around her castle. She also enjoys doing whatever she pleases. One day however, Princess Smartypants’ parents tell her that she must marry a prince and quit doing all the crazy things she is doing around the castle.
So, Princess Smartypants declares to all of her suitors that whoever completes all the tasks that she has set for them will become her husband. The princess’s tasks proved to be impossible and crazy to all her suitors, including making Prince Compost stop a giant-sized slug from devouring her garden and making Prince Vertigo save her from her glass tower, even though the prince keeps on slipping on the glass tower while climbing towards Princess Smartypants.
When all her suitors could not complete her tasks, Princess Smartypants thinks that she is safe until Prince Swashbuckle arrives to her palace. Prince Swashbuckle proves to be a challenge for Princess Smartypants as he completes all the impossible tasks she sets out for him. Well, when Princess Smartypants decides to give Prince Swashbuckle a kiss, guess what happens! You will have to read the ending of this book to find out if Princess Smartypants married Prince Swashbuckle or if she remains single.
PROS
Babette Cole did a marvelous job on both the story and the illustrations. The illustrations are as hilarious as they are exuberant. Babette Cole produces a more humorous touch on Princess Smartypants’ vicious pets as one image shows the two green dragons laughing at Prince Vertigo’s feeble attempt to climb Princess Smartypants’ glass tower. Also, the overall message of independence and confidence shines brightly in this story. Princess Smartypants enjoys doing activities that a civilized lady would not do such as, riding her motorbike over a pit of snakes and taking care of wild beasts and does not let anyone’s opinion about her doing these crazy stunts affect her. Then, when Prince Swashbuckle came and passed all of her impossible tasks, Princess Smartypants felt like her independence was being jeopardized as she would have to obey Prince Swashbuckle’s bidding if she marries him. Even though, most parents would think that her actions are somewhat vulgar to an extent, Princess Smartypants was only doing activities that satisfied her and that she was only trying to protect her state of being independent when Prince Swashbuckle passed all her tests.
OVERALL
“Princess Smartypants” is probably one of Babette Cole’s greatest books ever created. This book is a creative story about a princess who just wanted to do the activities that she enjoys doing despite what her parents say. Also, Princess Smartypants is one of the few heroines who have lots of spunk and independence deep within themselves. “Princess Smartypants” is a perfect book for both kids and adults who enjoy messages about independence and confidence.
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