The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink

Gr 2--4--By day Princess Magnolia sits in her refined outfits, and when her monster alarm goes off, she turns into a caped ninja. In this entry, Magnolia is getting ready for the flower festival and the evening's ball. While setting up the decorations, a big emu begins to stomp, kick, and destroy her glass decorations. But Magnolia is at a loss at how to tame the grumpy beast. It turns out Prince Valerian also has a secret identity--he is the glamorous Prince in Pink, and his special skills save the day. A sweet twist shows Magnolia that the belligerent emu may actually have a softer side. This entertaining series centers a lovable, empowered female character; this is a princess who can save herself and still be frilly. Main characters are cued as white. VERDICT A wonderful addition to Hale's unique series, wherein zany humor and teamwork tells the story that children can be anything they dream of.

Gr 2–4—By day Princess Magnolia sits in her refined outfits, and when her monster alarm goes off, she turns into a caped ninja. In this entry, Magnolia is getting ready for the flower festival and the evening's ball. While setting up the decorations, a big emu begins to stomp, kick, and destroy her glass decorations. But Magnolia is at a loss at how to tame the grumpy beast. It turns out Prince Valerian also has a secret identity—he is the glamorous Prince in Pink, and his special skills save the day. A sweet twist shows Magnolia that the belligerent emu may actually have a softer side. This entertaining series centers a lovable, empowered female character; this is a princess who can save herself and still be frilly. Main characters are cued as white. VERDICT A wonderful addition to Hale's unique series, wherein zany humor and teamwork tells the story that children can be anything they dream of.