The Princess in Black

Princess Magnolia is having tea with Duchess Wigtower.

Well, actually, it's hot chocolate. But then her glitter-stone ring rings. It's the monster alarm! So Princess Magnolia politely excuses herself, walks daintily to the door, and then runs to the broom closet. In two seconds, she morphs into the Princess in Black, slides down a secret chute, jumps the castle wall, and springs onto her black horse.

Together, the Princess in Black and her horse, Blacky, race to the entrance to Monster Land. The Blue Monster has climbed up out of Monster Land, which is against the rules, and into the goat pasture because he can smell plump, delicious goats. Duff, the goat boy, cannot handle the Blue Monster alone so he calls for help. And who should appear at just that moment, but the Princess in Black!

Just as the Blue Monster has a goat in each paw and is about to devour them, the Princess in Black rides up on Blacky, and tells him in no uncertain terms that he may NOT eat the goats. The Blue Monster rips up a tree and swings it at her. But she pushes a button on her wand and it turns into a staff. A mighty battle ensues.

Meanwhile, Duchess Wigtower has been left alone in the castle for too long and she begins to snoop.

Everything is just too perfect. There must be secrets hidden somewhere. When she comes to the broom closet, she notices that something is stuck under the door. Black stockings! Princesses don't wear black stockings!

After defeating the monster, and tying him up, the Princess in Black kindly asks him to return to Monster Land. Now she is free to race back to the castle and try to intercept Duchess Wigtower before she learns Princess Magnolia's secret. Will she be in time?

Emerging readers need short, easy chapter books with engaging story lines.

The Princess in Black is a book that fits into this short but significant stage of reading development, which is under-supplied and always needs worthy additions.  Even better if the book includes many colorful pictures and if it is a whole series for your emerging reader to practice with!

The Princess in Black (vol #1 in a series of 10, so far) will be appreciated by your little princesses that are at home in a castle and can fight hungry monsters. Princess Magnolia/The Princess in Black is kind and polite, but she also rescues goatherds when they're in over their heads, and can put monsters in their place. The slight tension caused by wondering if Princess Magnolia's secret will be preserved will not be too much for your youngest reader or listener. The occasional glimmers of humor may even have her laughing out loud.

CONTENT CONSIDERATIONS

The Blue Monster munches on a pile of toenail clippings