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Did you ever wish to be a princess? Have you ever wanted to wear a pretty pink gown, sing to your forest animal friends, and attend a fancy fairy-tale ball?
Then meet Beatrice—she represents what being a princess in the Middle Ages was really like. Pink gown? More like itchy wool! Sing to animals? Think archery and horseback riding instead. Beatrice’s life is no fairy tale,...more
Then meet Beatrice—she represents what being a princess in the Middle Ages was really like. Pink gown? More like itchy wool! Sing to animals? Think archery and horseback riding instead. Beatrice’s life is no fairy tale,...more
Published March 21st 2017 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
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Picture Books of 2017 396 books — 124 voters
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I cannot wait to hand this to adults who are getting a wee bit tired of their kids'/nieces'/nephews'/tiny friends' obsessions with princesses. This is a great nonfiction picture book that tells readers exactly what it was really like to be a medieval princess--it's far less fancy and flowery (and far more interesting) than Disney suggests.
With rats, itchy garments and child marriage, this book playfully throws cold water on princess fantasies. Has it successfully convinced my princess-loving daughter? I don't think so, but it's a welcome counterweight to the magical kingdom.
Sep 17, 2016J. rated it really liked it Shelves: humor, picture-books, arc-giveaway, historical
I read an early copy of this book via work, with no obligation to leave a personal review.
This is a fun picture book with side-by-side pages on the imagined life of a fairy tale princess, and the actual life of a real life medieval princess. I'd love to see more books like this on other topics (like what it's really like to be a knight). I just wish it could have been longer and incorporated even more fun facts--but it is a picture book, so it's true that it can't really be much longer.
This is a fun picture book with side-by-side pages on the imagined life of a fairy tale princess, and the actual life of a real life medieval princess. I'd love to see more books like this on other topics (like what it's really like to be a knight). I just wish it could have been longer and incorporated even more fun facts--but it is a picture book, so it's true that it can't really be much longer.
A super cute and charming book about the realities of being a medieval princess vs the Disney version!
Jul 02, 2018Cris rated it liked it Shelves: juvenile, fairy-tales, history, non-fiction
Using the stereotypes of a princess's life in fairy tales the author paints a clear--albeit limited--picture of what a day in the life of a medieval princess would have truly been like.
And the author's note at the end summarized the information well while also emphasizing that things changed over the course of the Middle Ages and that different areas had different experiences.
Overall, a good book to (perhaps) give a modern-day princess wannabe a better idea of what she's really missing out on.
And the author's note at the end summarized the information well while also emphasizing that things changed over the course of the Middle Ages and that different areas had different experiences.
Overall, a good book to (perhaps) give a modern-day princess wannabe a better idea of what she's really missing out on.
Aug 30, 2018Sue rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Cute story, I really liked this idea; loved the typeface; cute drawings. Yup, this was cute and well-done.
Oct 19, 2017Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* rated it it was amazing Shelves: essential, elementary-lower, pre-k, picture-book
Heos, Bridget. Who Wants To Be a Princess? What It Was Really Like to Be a Medieval Princess. Illustrated by Migy. Henry Holt and Co, 2017. $16.99. Content: G. PICTURE BOOK.
You may think being a princess is all poufy gowns, tiaras, and handsome princes, but you would be wrong. To illustrate the difference between popular fairytales and what the middle ages were really like for princesses, the author uses two-page spreads—one side the fairytale and the other the reality. For example, on one side,...more
You may think being a princess is all poufy gowns, tiaras, and handsome princes, but you would be wrong. To illustrate the difference between popular fairytales and what the middle ages were really like for princesses, the author uses two-page spreads—one side the fairytale and the other the reality. For example, on one side,...more
May 06, 2017Laura rated it it was amazing
As an elementary school librarian, I spend a certain amount of time finding princess books for kids. And since this becomes tiresome very quickly, I created a fairy tales shelf and point my princess book loving friends in that direction.
And I love this book! It breaks down traditional ideas of what being a princess is all about -- fancy dresses, going to balls, meeting Princess Charming -- and simply and clearly presents the realities of life as a medieval princess. Recommended for grades 1 - 2...more
And I love this book! It breaks down traditional ideas of what being a princess is all about -- fancy dresses, going to balls, meeting Princess Charming -- and simply and clearly presents the realities of life as a medieval princess. Recommended for grades 1 - 2...more
Very nicely done juxtaposition of what many little girls imagine a princess' life was like with the historic middle ages reality. When I first saw the cover I thought it was a Disney movie-related book but I was pleasantly surprised when I read it. Shame on me for jumping to conclusions! The story is fun with plenty of historical information for young readers. The illustrations include lots of interesting details and are quite appealing. An Author's Note provides more factual information and a B...more
Jul 17, 2017Kelsey rated it really liked it
Age: Preschool-Kindergarten
Intriguing side-by-side comparison of a fairytale princess versus a historically accurate princess of the Middle Ages. The story is told without belittling an audience that adores Disney princesses while providing a more accurate depiction of a Medieval princess. Historical accuracies like marrying young and living in not-so desirable conditions are presented gently enough so as not to scare the reader.
Intriguing side-by-side comparison of a fairytale princess versus a historically accurate princess of the Middle Ages. The story is told without belittling an audience that adores Disney princesses while providing a more accurate depiction of a Medieval princess. Historical accuracies like marrying young and living in not-so desirable conditions are presented gently enough so as not to scare the reader.
Jun 10, 2017Kathy rated it it was amazing
Aimed squarely at Disney princess-mad girls, this book contrasts images they might have about princesses with what life was really like. Castles were dark and dirty and full of rats, moats were full of sewage and girls married who their parents told them to...at age 12! Most pages will have the pink idealized version (in inks, paint, and digital) on the left side, and the reality on the right. An author's note and a bibliography end the book.
Oct 12, 2018Meg McGregor rated it really liked it
The girls are going to the Renaissance Festival this Sunday with their grandparents; so this book was perfect, to help my little princesses, realize what it really felt like to live in the Middle Ages!
They loved the fairy tale aspect of the Middle Ages (on the left hand side of the book) but were not as enthusiastic about living by a smelly moat, having to sleep with four or five other people in a bed, or having to marry at the age of 12. Fancy that! LOL
They loved the fairy tale aspect of the Middle Ages (on the left hand side of the book) but were not as enthusiastic about living by a smelly moat, having to sleep with four or five other people in a bed, or having to marry at the age of 12. Fancy that! LOL
Jun 28, 2018Diane rated it really liked it
When you're a Medieval princess, life isn't quite a fairy tale. There are stinky moats and rats in the castle; there are itchy, wool dresses for everyday and you don't even get to wear your tiara except for really special occasions! And Prince Charming could be someone you don't even know. Yikes! Still want to be a princess?
Includes an author's note and bibliography for further reading.
Jan 23, 2018Daphne rated it really liked itIncludes an author's note and bibliography for further reading.
Shelves: picture-book, school-age-programs, medieval, juvenile-non-fiction
I like this princess book, especially the way it juxtaposes our princess fantasies with a possible princess's reality. This book manages to give the facts about a medieval princess's life without making distasteful the overall dream of being a princess in the first place. It's kind of an homage to princess life, like 'Hot Fuzz' is an homage to cop movies; it lovingly pokes fun.
This book was different but it was cute. It compares fairytale princesses to real medieval princesses. There are some facts that I would check before reading it to children just to make sure they are accurate and to give more information if the children ask questions but this book is a great way to teach children that books are not always true stories or have accurate information in them.
Oct 29, 2018Katie rated it really liked it
My students are always asking me for princess books and I can't wait to share this book with them! I hope it will get them to think twice about wanting to become a princess when they grow up. It is a great time to talk about how what we see in movies isn't real
I definitely want to get this for my elementary school library collection. I love how the cover looks like all the other princess books a lot of my students go crazy for, but then this will give them a totally different take on the topic. Brilliant!
Jun 26, 2018Emily rated it really liked it
3.5 stars. This is a funny book about the what life was really like for princesses outside of fairy tales. It would make a great addition on children's shelves to contrast the typical Barbie princess books, and maybe get the kiddos interested in researching history.
Mar 31, 2019Angela rated it really liked it
This is a fun book to read to children about the difference between fairy tale princesses and what life was really like for princesses during medieval times (living in gray stone castles, learning archery, and being given away in arranged marriages to forge alliances).
Oct 23, 2018Ellen Zarate rated it really liked it
A humorous look at the perceptions and reality of life as a medieval princess
Apr 25, 2019Shanna rated it really liked it
Perfect to read to all of the little prospective princesses and princes in your life. It explains what medieval life was like in age-appropriate terms.
Love this cute book!! I can't wait to share it with my students. I really l9ove the Bibliography at the end. I am going to use it with my older students in doing research.
This made me laugh, it was funny and cute.
Nov 04, 2017Tracy J Hora rated it it was amazing
Love the comparison of little girls' princess dreams and how it really was in medieval times. Tastefully done and delightful.
Nov 15, 2018Angie rated it it was amazing Shelves: read-in-2018, school-library, 2018-2019-texas-2x2-list
This book made me laugh out loud. I can't wait for some of my students who love princesses to read this one.
Jan 22, 2018Beverly rated it really liked it
An excellent comparison between fairy tale princesses, and what the lives of real, actual princesses were like in the years between 1100 and 1300 A. D.
May 08, 2018Buffie rated it really liked it
A good comparison book of the fairy tale princess and the realities of a life of a princess in medieval times.
Jul 24, 2018Cheryl rated it really liked it · review of another edition
I loved this! Super cute and colorful!
An interesting perspective on fantasy vs. realistic medieval princesses. Still a little glazed over, but it is intended for a younger audience.
Nov 06, 2018Inge rated it really liked it
Facts about medieval princesses wrapped up in a fun, humorous little package, perfect for storytime.
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