IT’S A PRINCE THING

In this sequel to The Princess Rules (2020), Princess Florizella acquires a baby brother and continues to advocate for division of labor and gender equality among royalty in her fairy-tale land.

Having successfully negotiated a more or less equal partnership with Prince Bennett, the feminist princess is shaken to the core when a baby boy is mistakenly delivered to the palace and immediately becomes heir to the kingdom. Christened Prince Courier owing to his unorthodox arrival by stork, the child rapidly develops into a highly competent individual who is extremely aware of his privileges. As Bennett, Florizella’s bestie, informs her, thanks to the Prince Permit, princes get to do whatever they want (and get all the toys) whereas princesses have to abide by the Princess Rules. Florizella persuades Bennett to stand with her against all of this and help her teach her little brother to behave more fairly. Several wild adventures follow, involving encounters with kidnappers, a giant sea serpent, bossy Good Manner Eagles, colorful pirates, and a woolly mammoth. Expressive, amusing artwork enhances the text, adding to the fun. The feminist and populist messages woven throughout the narrative challenge the stereotypical values of traditional fairy tales and provide a serious undercurrent for the wacky, anachronistic humor of the story. Bennett is brown-skinned with curly black hair; other main characters read as White.

A contrarian fairy tale in which swashbuckling adventures alternate with deep philosophical discussions.