THE PRINCESS PIGTORIA AND THE PEA

Edwards presents another alliterative version of a classic fairy tale. Princess Pigtoria is particularly perturbed by the dilapidated state of her castle. Hoping to improve her lot, she responds to a newspaper ad for a princess to marry Prince Proudfoot. Not overly enthused by her first impression of the Prince, Pigtoria nonetheless follows the parlor maid to the guest apartment. There, a pizza-and-polka party ensues with Percy the pizza–delivery pig and several of the other castle servants as guests. That night, Pigtoria sleeps horribly—victim of the party crumbs on her pillows. And although she did not feel the pea (it slipped out), she is offended when Proudfoot reveals his plan. In the end, both end up with mates, though not with each other. Cole’s watercolor illustrations steal the show with funny details. He cleverly incorporates objects that begin with “p,” providing value-added fun in the form of a seek-and-find game (the portrait of a crowned pork chop labeled “Cousin Pearlene” is priceless). More like Dinorella (1997) than Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke (1995) in its alliterative abundance, the device often takes over the story, making this an extra purchase. (Picture book/fairy tale. 5-8)