The first time I read this book, many years ago, I was astonished at the honest simplicity of it, and was surprised that no one had thought of it before. Having just turned forty myself, I’d like to think the story gets better with age, and if my students haven’t read it, they should. I sang the last bit for my wife, and she said, “what’s the bit with the paper bag?” I couldn’t believe it! How had she never heard of the Paper Bag Princess and Elizabeth’s disregard for societal norms? She asked me if the kids would get this subtle and obscure reference to a forty-year old picture book.Īnd that’s exactly why I’m going to leave the lyric as is. WHAT’S THE USE OF WISHING WHEN THE WELLS ARE ALL DRY? They sing a cheery song about how they’ve lost all hope of being rescued: An excerpt: The main character gets thrown in the dungeon of a giant’s castle, and meets several fairy tale characters who also got caught, including Goldilocks, the Gingerbread Man and Snow White. Though the fire-breathing dragon and his destructive ways may upset the youngest set, most readers will want to find a place on the bookshelf for this classic.The Paper Bag Princess resurfaced itself from the depths of my memory while I was working on a song lyric for a musical I am writing. However, Frozenfanatics will find truth in its endearing - and enduring - message.

The book has gone through more than 74 printings, the language is less poetic in some versions, and small details, such as the color of the princess's dress changing from pink to white and gold, varies in some editions. And the twist at the end makes it even better.

Against today's standards, the adventures and lessons may seem simplistic, but the story is cute, the princess lovable, and the lesson modern and true. Parents need to know that Robert Munsch originally wrote The Paper Bag Princess in 1980, before today's princess mania, and it's among the first feminist princess books on the market.

Violence isn't graphic, but the dragon does breathe fire, burns down forests, and leaves a trail of horse bones very appropriate to a fairy tale but may be upsetting to younger kids.ĭid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

The paper bag princess board book