Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror

Description

Guardian Books of the Year 2019. Here are eight princesses for the Rebel Girls generation: bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determined to be true to themselves. Natasha Farrant's original stories are set in different times all around the world, blending modern and traditional storytelling with glowing full colour illustrations by debut artist Lydia Corry in a glorious gift book. 'Mirror, mirror on the wall... what makes a princess excellent?' An enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe. Reflected in it are princesses who refuse to be pretty, polite or obedient. Through the centuries and around the world these girls are fierce, brave, and determined to do the rescuing themselves. The desert princess protects her people from the king with the black and gold banner. The forest princess takes a crocodile for a pet. An island princess explores the high seas. A mountain princess puts kindness above being royal. And in a tower-block in a city, Princess saves her community garden from the hands of urban developers.

Natasha Farrant is a writer and literary scout. She is the author of Costa Children's Book Award winner Voyage of the Sparrowhawk (Faber, 2020), and other novels. She lives in London with her family. Lydia Corry is a British illustrator and graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2009. She lives with her family in Hastings.

'This book of exceptionally excellent princesses is completely gorgeous. The stories and illustrations shine with the same clear light' Hilary McKay, author of 2018 Costa prize-winning The Skylarks' War. -- Hilary McKay, author of 2018 Costa prize-winning The Skylarks' War Traditional stories also offer rich potential for subversion, as Natasha Farrant shows in her linked collection of original fairytales... A terrific and inspirational conceit, set in a beautiful package designed and illustrated by Lydia Corry' * Irish Times * Slightly older fairytale fans, especially those who enjoy Rebel Girls-style empowerment, will relish Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha Farrant, enriched by Lydia Corry's delicious pictures * Guardian, Books of the Year 2019 * A beautiful book to share with a class * Books for Topics * Wonderful contemporary storytelling with a classic feel' * The Bookseller, Editor's Choice * The girls in these stories refuse to submit to the usual perception of princesses being pretty, polite and obedient but each does learn valuable lessons... The realisation of their hopes and dreams come from within themselves, from their bravery to fight for what they cared about, their thirst for knowledge and their caring attitudes. A beautiful book to share with a class' * Books for Topics * A thrilling adventure' * The Times, Children's Book of the Week * A glorious adventure * Metro * Tales of empowerment and bravery, with nuggets of wisdom for any little princesses who may need a boost to their own self-confidence * Evening Echo. * No fewer than eight timely and timeless young female royals pick up the tale's thread of dauntless independence... The results are unpredictable, exuberant, fascinating. For girls with a mind of their own and for boys who might want to understand why girls are different, and so very much just like themselves' * Bookanista. * This collection of original stories about princesses who are bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determined to be true to themselves will appeal to those ready to move beyond Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora and company... Perfect for newly independent readers' -- Barbara Braxton (Teacher Librarian) The author deftly weaves the arc of the mirror's fantastic journey into each girl's journey of self-discovery... Best of all, though the mirror is a device, it is not a gimmick thanks to the author's engaging plot and the illustrator's evocatively playful, full-colored drawings that border each story.These tales are enchanting in both their realness and their whimsy' * Kirkus *