Book Description

Reviews (35)

Great Story For All ages
Le Petit Prince is a great story for adults and kids alike. Kids can read this book and see it as only a story about a little boy from another planet who wants to find somone who understands him. Adults can read this book and see deeper meanings to what is happening. If you dig into the story you find things in this book dealing with issues we have to face. It's a great book and I would recommend it to any of my friends but I would have to tell them to get the English version. I would prefer to read the French version.

Magnifique
I was given this book to read for a high school French class, and I'm so glad I did. (If you're by some fluke reading this, Coop, thanks so much for introducing me to "Le petit prince"!) It may be classified here as "children's" literature, but it's so much more. This is a beautiful, moving story of the little prince and his journeys through planets and on Earth. It contains some incredibly deep philosophy and will make you appreciate the simplicity and innocence of childhood... and make you want to regain that outlook on life. I know that I'm trying to see the world as a child again.

...Et si vous pouvez lire ce livre en français, c'est beaucoup plus beau. Le livre en anglais n'est pas mal, mais il n'y a pas l'élégance.

Open ended
It's a strange little book that defies classification. My husband and I both read it and went away with very different interpretations. The book is part whimsy, part satire, and part philosphy. Its deceptive simplicity defies classification on greater examination.

life lessons
I read this book a year ago with my French 4 Advanced Placement class. It is still sitting on the head of my bed, because I have read it multiple times and refer to it often. I have never been more inspired, nor more changed, by any one novel. The lessons that are meant to help children grow into admirable adults can teach us adults so much more. I looked at everything differently once I finished reading this book. I learned so many invaluable lessons that I will carry with me forever. I am absolutely sure that I will read this to my children someday. The lessons I learned, from not judging someone by what they look like to getting my priorities straight, have forever changed the way I treat people and the way I live. I believe I am more mature now because of the impact this book had on me.

great in its original language
I have read TPP in Spanish, as a child; in English and now in French. The French is 100 times better than any translation. If you have been raised in a romance language, you know that the charm and sonority of French or Spanish is completely lost, even in a good translation. If you have read TPP in translation before, read it in French. It is easy to understand and a great book for those, like me, who want to develop reading skills.
Regarding the story, it is indisputable that TPP is a classic full of wisdom. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very disappointing
The story is REALLY silly.
Moreover, throughout the book the value given to Pi
is WRONG (it is stated to be 22/7, and only at the very end is it casually mentioned to be an approximation).
This book is a perfect example of how NOT to attract kids to Math.

Good Intro to Pi
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi is the story of a boy that must use math to save his father. Most of the character's names are terms found in math, like Sir Cumference and Radius, which cleverly adds to the effect of the story. The use of a dragon gives the story more of a fantasy feel which appeals to the younger audience. The illustrations in the book are done well and add to the medieval setting of the book because they look like oil paintings. The goal of this book is to introduce kids to the concept of pi in a fun and easy to understand way. It pulls this off by having a fairy tale setting and actually having a reason to use pi that kids can understand. This book is not a quick read, yet it's not long enough to lose the attention of a child. Even though this is a children's book, it should only be used for older children since it involves division with fractions. Because of this, it works as a great educational tool for those older children by introducing them to a fundamental math term they will most likely use later in life.

Excellent Conceptual Intro
The Dragon of Pi is an excellent conceptual introduction to Pi, a concept not even clear to most adults, for children. The ideas are clear and playfully woven into the plot. Using the globally favorite dragon as a character, this book is animated, informative, and an effective educational tool.

Silly motivation of pi
Of all the reasons to be interested in pi, surely curing your father's belly ache is the least inspired. This book is about politics not mathematics.

Nice idea, but ...
A young boy gives his father the wrong potion to cure a bellyache, and must solve the riddle of the ratio of a circle's circumference to it's diameter to get the dosage to cure him. I enjoyed the fun names (Geo and Sym, the Metry brothers), but I was disappointed in the author's choice to use 22/7 as the value for pi. If the story hadn't made such a big point of getting the dose correct (or Dad would never be cured), I wouldn't have had any trouble with introducing an approximate value. ... Read more

Book Description

In 2000 Harcourt proudly reissued Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's masterpiece, The Little Prince, in a sparkling new format. Newly translated by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Richard Howard, this timeless classic was embraced by critics and readers across the country for its purity and beauty of expression. And Saint-Exupéry's beloved artwork was restored and remastered to present his work in its original and vibrant colors.Now Harcourt is issuing uniform full-color foreign language editions. The restored artwork glows like never before. These affordable and beautiful editions are sure to delight an entire new generation of readers, students, children, and adults for whom Saint-Exupéry's story will open the door to a new understanding of life. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A book of true beauty.
I do not read a lot of books. I have only read what was assigned to me throughout school and the occasional NY Times bestseller. A friend of mine gave me this book as a gift one day, she said I would enjoy it. She was right - I loved it. I didn't read it right away, but when I did I couldn't put it down. I am not an emotional person, or at least I never thought of myself as one, but this book made me look at myself and it broke my heart. I related with the character of the pilot and I felt as though the Little Prince was talking to me. The book helped me realize that I had forgotten a lot of things since childhood, like the meaning of friendship. The book also reminded me of what love really is. It made me realize what "grown-ups" really are, children who lost their innocence. The greatest thing about the book is that it is universal. It's message is simple: "love has no prejuducies, never dies and always forgives." It is a children's story but it is something all adults should read. There are few books that can do what this "children's story" can do. It will make you laugh, break your heart and make you think about what really is important in your life.

- Jeff

Forever
I read this book in its portuguese version when I was stil living in Brazil (my home land); french, when I started learning it as well as spanish . Despite all "nuances" of each language the book keeps its majesty. Everytime I read it I think it was not written for children. In Le Petit Prince, St. Exupery made life wonderful, beyond comprehension.

One of a Kind
This book is not for everybody; only for those with a great heart, a natural smile and soul.

ummm...i must be a moron
Someone please shoot me in the face, am i the only one who didn't enjoy this book. i read it last year in my 4th year honors french class, now up until the semester when we read this book, i had been a fairly good french student, i have family who live in provence, i visit them often and i had never made a B in french until the semester of junior year when we read "le petit prince" needless to say i made a C that semester. this was the dumbest thing i've ever laid eyes on...well besides a few girls i know. but who gives a merde about some little kid going from planet to planet asking a bunch of dumb questions, and be in love with a rose. im (upset), cause this made me totally lose intrest in french, and now that im a senior and in AP french...im not trying at all, this book is awful, maybe i should read it in english.......nah. oh well, c'est la vie

One of My Favorites!
When I first read this book when I was a senior in high school and read it for my French class, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this book. I'd heard so much about it. After reading it I can say that I love this book so much, no wonder Le Petit Prince is on some French currency! I've read this book in English and French, and I'd have to say that the French is sooo much better if you know French. It's not all that difficult to understand if you are at a beginning level. This is a great book and is worth every penny in both languages! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Great book!
Although I am only in my second semester of German, this book has been fairly easy to read. For English speakers learning German, this book will give you a better understanding of imperative sentences ---the little prince commands the pilot to do things. z.B: Draw me a sheep!

I have read the book several times in English, which of course, helps me to understand the story in German.

It is a wonderful story. I have searched the Internet, and the Amazon price on this book is very fair.

LE PETIT PRINCE - CHILDHOOD TRUTH INTO ADULT WORLD
This book is simply to be kept at hand for a lifetime. Coming in a hardcover set, it will easily go through years of passionate reading. The story is halfway betwwen dream and reality. Providing readers with a child-like vision of life. For once it seems that adults might learn from children.... May Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) also help you to see today's world from another dimension. With each new reading session you will discover a new angle, corresponding to your actual situation.... Multiple-side story, for a multiple-side lifetime.

Simply the best
If you ask me about my favorite book, the book that I would take to a lonely island, the book that I would recommend everyone to read: Here is it. I read Saint-Exupery's wondrous story of the little prince in the German translation, but translations cannot harm this wonderful, poetic book and cannot hide the deep thoughts that are expressed in this simple language that makes it sound like a book for children.

Le petite prince is not really a typical text of Saint-Exupery's. He was famous for his activities as a pilot (which presumably ended his life during WWII) and has written several books about this. There are also a few very complex texts (like "Citadelle" which I haven't managed to read completely), and then there is this strange book, which is for kids and not for kids, which contains so much wisdom and ongoing astonishment about the world around us.

The little prince lives on a very (extremely) small planet nearby with his vulcanoes and his flower. On his tour arond the solar system he meets many different people (kings, merchants, ...) until he finally meets with the author who had an emergency landing somewhere in the desert on Earth.

Read this - in what language ever - and be charmed by the little prince!

Nur mit dem Herzen sieht man gut!
Ein wundervolles Buch, dass uns die Welt mit den Augen eines Kindes entdecken lässt. Antoine de Saint-Exupery entführt den Leser in eine Welt voller Phantasie. Der kleine unwissende Prinz verzaubert alle Herzen und darum ist dieses Buch zurecht schon als eines der schönsten Märchen überhaupt bezeichnet worden. Menschen jeden alters werden Freude an diesem Buch haben! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (335)

Magical, mystical, majestical
This review refers to the T.V.F Cuiffe translation which I was unable to find on Amazon. I don't know anything about the Howard translation.

This amazing book was written supposedly for children and it reads like a children's story. It's also beautifully illustrated. However, it meant much more to me when I reread it as an adult than as a child. I could say the book is an alegory and that it contains much symbolic value but it would debase it's melancholy beauty to attach academic terms to it.

The story is about the narrator, a pilot just like the author, being stuck in the Sahara waiting to repair his plane. He meets the little prince who hails from a tiny planet that's not much bigger than him. The book relates his solitary existence at his home, his travels through the other asteroids, inhabited by single individuals such as the Geographer (which can be seen as archetypes) to his arrival on earth culminating in the relationship with the pilot.

Again, saying that the book is about life, loneliness, love, friendship and finding one's true nature would be missing the point (one which the book beautifully mentions through the mouth of a fox) that the most important things are not said in words. The book has no "themes" as such but it's a fully integrated work. The pictures are as important as the text and contain so much kindness, humour and irony (as does the work itself) that this work is an absolute must.

If you tame me...
Something confuses me about "The Little Prince". Here we have a small simple tale that takes about half an hour to read. It is quiet and philosophical. The plot, such as it is, follows a the Little Prince and his petite adventures. The Little Prince loves a rose very much, but he must travel about the planets to better understand this love. The book is so lyrical in its simplicity that it's no wonder that it's often given to graduating students each and every year. More so than "Winnie-the-Pooh" or "Oh the Places You'll Go", this book encapsulates the world with pinpoint precision.

My confusion? Why has this book been repeatedly ruined for kids? Am I the only one who remembers that catastrophe that was, "The Little Prince", an anima television show that played on Nickelodeon in the 1980s? How about the movie, starring Bob Fosse as the snake and Gene Wilder as the fox? How does a book this perfect become so exploited? I can only liken it to other books of its caliber. Like "Alice In Wonderland", the absurd plot elements make the story poignant. And like "Alice" (or the aforementioned Pooh) the book's simple writing is easily "improved" by the adults of the world.

I don't think "The Little Prince" is ideal children's literature, mind you. Kids may humor their parents by listening to it, but when you sit right down and read the book, it is not gripping stuff. The patronizing tone taken about "grown-ups", the Peter Pan-like elements, etc. all combine to make this a book that is ideally for children without actually saying anything to them directly. This is a book for adults but ostensibly for kids. Few children are going to be fooled by this. They'd rather sink their fangs into something a little more along the lines of "Harry Potter" or Lemony Snicket. But it is a piece of children's literature that will last beyond all our lives. This is a classic for the 20th century, and "The Little Prince" fully deserves to take his place amongst the other classic kid characters encompassed in the cannon. It is an outstanding tale of simply loving small.

nothing is lost with time.
One of my absolute favorites.

This book is something you read as a child; it was magical and it held you in ways you could not understand. And there were so many things in it that seemed above your young head. But you think you get them at the time.

You read it again when you're older....

and it's all the more magical.

You understand - completely.

Everyone should read this book at least twice.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER!!!!!
I read this book in my 5th grade class last year, and I loved it!!! It was so wonderful and really made you think about life, death, and that the things that are really impoortant are invisable! I REALLY SUGGEST YOU READ THIS BOOK!!! It brings you to thinking about imaginary things that everyone dreams about (that are extremely real in this book). So live your biggest dream and READ THIS BOOK!

The Little Prince...I Don't really like it.
This books is just not my type of book. I did not really get anything from this book because I have to go over the metaphors before I can understand it. Anyways, this book tells the grown ups all over the world that they can still use their imaginations even though they have matured and have a job. This is some connections I heard from Einstein. Einstein said that Imaginations are more important than knowledge because Imagination creates knowledge. This book made me read it even though I wasn't very interested to it because it makes me think deeply of some words that are hard to understand and while I read the book, it reminded me of my childhood because I use to use my imaginations, ofcourse, probably all the kids use their imaginations. Now that I have grown, I forgot about imagining because I've grown up a lot. Just like in the book, when the little prince was growing up, he is losing his imaginations. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Meg Cabot entertained thousands of readers with her Princess Diariesseries about a somewhat awkward teenage girl from Manhattan whodiscovers that she's actually heir to the throne of a small Europeanprincipality. In this princess-pink guidebook, the unlikely royal MiaThermopolis informs her fans that if she can be a princess, anyone can--with the help of a few princess lessons, that is. (Of course, shehonestly doesn't know why anyone would want to when they could lead aperfectly normal life.)This how-to guide for princesses-in-training--written in the voices ofTina, Grandmère, and other characters from the series--is surprisinglyapplicable to daily, non-royal life. While it is peppered withprincess-specific advice (such as how to perfect a curtsy), it is notquite the spoof one might expect. In the Beauty section, for example,the manual emphasizes confidence, minimal makeup, and hygiene. In theEtiquette section, we learn not to slouch, shuffle, skip, or saunter.Readers will find polite e-mail protocol, musings on popularity, fiveeasy ways to save the planet, and even Lily and Mia's list of movies inwhich characters achieve self-actualization. Chesley McLaren's comical,artful illustrations reflect the tongue-in-cheek tone of this fairlycommon-sense manual for surviving Polite Society. And remember:"Throughout history, princesses have been remembered not for the waistsize of their 501s, but for the good deeds they performed when they wereon the throne." (Ages 10 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Quick and enjoyable (but optional) addition to the series
Princess Lessons is to the Princess Diaries books as the Harry Potter Schoolbooks are to the Harry Potter series: a quick read that is both entertaining and enjoyable, but not plot-advancing or groundbreaking. And that's okay.

This book is clearly aimed at the young teen and pre-teen audience that has formed around the Princess Diaries series. In addition to the fun humor that we've come to expect from Meg Cabot, there are some not-so-subtle bits of guidance that older readers will spot immediately. It seems very well directed for the younger readers, though, and is good advice. For instance, the overriding theme of the book is that it never hurts to behave like a princess even if you aren't one, and it's most important to be yourself.

The book includes practical advice on health, beauty, and clothes, though it should, of course, be taken with a grain of salt, coming as it does from the characters Paolo, Grandmere, and Sebastiano.

The light feel is complemented by the illustrations, which are charmingly stylistic and make good use of the two-color layouts. Many books of this type and length leave readers annoyed at the lack of substance, but Princess Lessons uses its format well and will be much enjoyed as a quick, fun read by the young fans of the series.

Pure Fun
By now, most people who read YA novels knows that Mia Thermopolis is the star of the Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot. Throughout the first four books of the series we have seen Mia's triumphs and pitfalls as she's dragged kicking and screaming into the life of a Genovian Princess. In Princess Lessons the bubbly anxious teen takes a break from telling us about her life in learning how to be a princess and tells us what all princesses, and teenage girls in general should know. After a quick introduction from Mia we hear about Beauty from the amazing Paolo ("I spit on kohl!" and fashion from Grandmere. Throughout the rest of the book we heard about manners, education and character from the various characters in the book and finally, about dating from Tina Hakin Baba. This last part includes a very funny interview from Michael Moscovitz.

This book is pure fun. It manages to provide a sort of self help book for teenage girls while throwing in much humor from the characters from the series. Mia is always there, writing in pink and commenting about the things she agrees and disagrees about. Some of my favorite parts has to be Paolo's humorous part on makeup and Sebastinano commenting on fashion, with his poor accented English. Another favorite part of mine has to be Michael's brief but amusing interview.

This book is not necessary for fans of the Princess Diary to read. It must have taken place after the fourth book but it doesn't really continue the story at all. If you're a fan of the series you don't have to read it. Personally I think that it's just pure fun. You'll read it in one sitting. Still it is not a real Princess Diary book, and I'd prefer another edition to the series than a self help book any day. Reading page after page of "how to"s gets annoying after a while but it's still a great thing for fans of the Princess Diaries to read while they're waiting for The Princess Diaries Volume Four and a Half: Project Princess to come out.

GREAT BOOK!!! VERY HELPFUL!!!
This book is cool. After i started reading it i got my own tiara and wanted to become a REAL princess (too bad that's NEVER gonna happen!) So anyway... i love the advice and i totally disagree with Mia's hating being a princess so much b/c i'd be SOOO excited if i had the oppertunity to be a princess. Well... what i'm trying to say is that this is a really good book. I gotta go now!!!

Princess Lessons
To all the girls out there, have you ever wanted to be a princess? Or even a Queen? Well I have found the book to get you started for your future dream!
The book Princess Lessons by Meg Cabot gives instructions on what it takes to be a princess. Mia Thermopolis is a princess of a small country called Genovia. The secret to becoming a princess, according to Mia, is to be who you are and not what everyone else expects. Even in the book, Mia said when she first became a princess that everyone treated her differently. After a while, it was back to normal because people started to think of her as a nerd, because she acted like who she was, not what people wanted her to be. This book contains beauty,clothes, and love advice as well as any other bits of knowledge a girl should be aware of. You also learn that being a princes is not the easiest job. You don't just get the job because you're pretty or the most popular girl in school. You have to be smart and always try to do the right thing! If you enjoyed the other Princess Diary books by Meg Cabot, you will love this one!!! If you are somebody who hopes to be a princess, this book will definitely help you get a jump on becoming one!!

Wish Cabot were working on Princess Diary sequels instead!
In this sweet little self-help book, aspiring royalty will learn the proper way to curtsey, the appropriate way to introduce one's consort to the queen, and which fork to start with at gala affairs. Characters from Cabot's popular series offer their expert advice, with romantic advice from Tina Hakim Baba and beauty tips from Paolo of Chez Paolo. Lana Turner even makes an appearance to plug extracurricular activities.
There is an initial emphasis on makeup, but at least Paola advocates for understated and low maintenance. It seems out of character for Mia to protest chinchilla capes and spout five ways to save the planet but not to mention choosing beauty products not tested on animals. Phone etiquette is not extended to include cell phone use, although email is mentioned in a chapter separate from correspondence. Health, safety and good judgment are mentioned throughout, and chapters like "Proper Tiara Maintenance" add levity.
Overall, good grooming and gracious are stressed, with Mia reminding girls to be kind, assertive, smile, and above all, to thine own self be true. Not a necessary addition to your library collection, but this might make a nice gift for a young teen who is a fan of the series or film. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Fascinating, accurate, well-written...and kids love it!
Beautifully and honestly presented, "Anastasia's Album" tells the story of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nicolaievna Romanova. It offers a delightful glimpse of life in Imperial Russia, before and during its collapse, enhanced by photographs from the Romanov family albums and quotes from the family's letters and diaries. "Anastasia's Album" covers Anastasia's life from birth up to the family's imprisonment. It very tastefully tells of the family's tragic end and also has an epilogue that addresses the Anna Anderson controversy and subsequent films, setting the reader straight on the historical truth.

One of the greatest things about "Anastasia's Album" is how children absolutely love it! I teach elementary school, and the book has been a favorite among my students every year. It has turned several of my students on to history, and many of them did their own Russian history research after starting with "Anastasia's Album."

In all, this is a fantastic book, and Shelley Tanaka did the world a great service in writing it! "Anastasia's Album" should be in every school library and is a must-read for history buffs of all ages.

I Loved It!!!!!!
It was the best Anastasia book I've read! I loved all the pictures and all the information! AWESOME BOOK!!!!

The life of a princess
I know that this is a children's book, but I think it is also an interesting book for adults. It includes many photos of Anastasia's family.

What I find is special about this book, is that it describes the world that the Tsar's children grew up in. The children had it all: their parents loved their five children, and Tsar Nicholas was able to give them all they wanted. Anastasia and her siblings were not confronted with the injustice that took place outside the palace walls.

The revolution changed it all though, and it is sad to see the photos and read the story of how their lives ended.

Very Sweet
I loved this book. I did wish it was longer, with more pictures.
Also more quotes from Anastasia herself, not just the author's
words.

Nice
It's a nice book, with excerpts of letters, and many photographs; although geared towards children, I at sixteen found it adorable. Although when you look at it, it's sad--how an innocent girl, caught up in politics, was shot. It's a nice look into the "eyes" of Anastasia, and I bet 'Shvyzbik' would be pleased. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Young girls obsessed with Cinderella, Ariel the mermaid, or Jasmine from Aladdin will revel in DK's 48-page "essential guide" to Disney princesses. Much like DK's usual approach to marine life or history, the creators briefly describe the characteristics and habitat of each princess in a highly visual format. For example, Snow White facts include what everyone knows (lips as red as roses, cheerful, hated by the queen, etc.), but readers will also find colorful, full-page illustrations of Snow White's world, complete with Dark Forest, the cottage where the Seven Dwarfs live, etc. All of the princess characters, including that of Belle and Aurora, are similarly examined. Parents whose children have seen the Disney princess movies 8,000 times each may be happy to direct their kids' attention to a book that summarizes the plots of the various stories and brings the characters to life. Scenes from Disney films and cutout Disney artwork will surely please fans. (Ages 6 and older) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A MUST HAVE FOR LITTLE LADIES!
I bought this book as a last minute gift for my 9 year old niece, but, I when I realized how cute of a book it was, I wish I had gotten 2- ONE FOR ME, TOO! ... Read more

Amazon.com

For those of you who can't get enough of beautiful princesses, magic spells, and brave deeds, this lavish, multicultural collection will knock your glass slippers off! Shirley Climo is well known for her retellings of folktales and Cinderella stories from different cultures, such as The Korean Cinderella. In this lovely treasury she spins tales of princesses from China, Russia, South Africa, Germany, Guatemala, and Greece, as well as one story from The Arabian Nights. Each story is enhanced with a lush painting by the noted illustrator Ruth Sanderson and an introduction summarizing other related fairy tales and the origins of the story. The princesses and their tales are all different, but they all have one thing in common: they all live happily ever after, of course! (Ages 6 to 10) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Elegant Cultural Princesses...
This is a beautifully written and illustrated book for all ages. Young and old, male and female. My husband bought me this book for my birthday, knowing my love for princess lore. I'm now reading it to my granddaughter and grandson.

Ms. Climo presents seven stories from seven very different cultures. She includes introductions to each story that explain a little of the magic you're about to discover. Each story has a wise and meaningful message.

Down to earth Princesses; a wise Princess; an enchanting Princess and a determined Princess along with the untypical stories of a curious Princess; a stubborn Princess and a spoiled Princess all manage to captivate your heart and sigh as they all "live happily ever after".

Beautiful!
This is a beautiful book -- both in its illustrations and in the stories and in its portrayals of strong women from around the world whom you can feel good recommending to your little girl as role models. I get tired of the same old Eurocentric fairy tales and nursery rhymes that are forced upon children today. It's important to have a global worldview and this book can be one of the first steps toward such an understanding. The fairy tales are not too long -- perhaps 8-20 pages each -- and come from many different countries. I gave it as a gift to a five-year-old girl who loves it, and I read it to my 6-yr-old son and 3-yr-old daughter, who both appreciate it. ... Read more

Book Description

Princesses live in splendid palaces with servants to grant their every wish....

Reviews (1)

Great Introduction
This book is a great introduction to the royalty of the world ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Book Description

A new spin on "The Magic Flute" by an acclaimed author!

In a time when the world was young and many things were quite commonplace that are now entirely forgotten, Sarastro, Mage of the Day, wed Pamina, the Queen of the Night. And in this way was the world complete, for light was joined to dark. For all time would they be joined together. Only the ending of the world could tear them apart. In other words, in the days in which my parents married, there was no such thing as divorce....

Thus begins the tale of Mina, a girl-child born on the longest night of the darkest month of the year. When her father looked at her, all he saw was what he feared: By birth, by name, by nature, she belonged to the Dark. So when Mina turned sixteen, her father took her away from shadow and brought her into sunlight.

In retaliation, her mother lured a handsome prince into a deadly agreement: If he frees Mina, he can claim her as his bride.

Now Mina and her prince must endure deadly trials -- of love and fate and family -- before they can truly live happily ever after.... ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Enchanting
SUNLIGHT AND SHADOW by Cameron Dokey is the latest retold fairy tale in the ONCE UPON A TIME series from Simon Pulse. It tells the story of Mina, the daughter of the Queen of Night (Pamina) and the Mage of the Day (Sarastro). Mina has lived with her mother for almost sixteen years, but, on the day before she was supposed to be returned to her father so he could choose her husband, he steals her away ahead of schedule. He wants to force her to wed the man of his choosing, when all she wants to do is follow her heart.

The story swtiches viewpoint sometimes by chapter and sometimes by paragraph. Cameron Dokey does a good job of giving the characters distinct voices, so that I only got confused about the point of view once. The POV switches between:

Mina: The daughter who wants the freedom to choose her husband, and to stay with him once she has done so,
Lapin: Mina's best friend and the Queen of Night's faithful servant,
Tern: the prince who follows Lapin's bells to his true love and faces trials to win her,
Statos: Sarastro's right hand man and Mina's intended husband, and
Gayna: the orphan girl that Sarastro raised as his own daughter and who now has to face the fact that she will always be second in his affections.

Dokey weaves an enchanting spell around the reader. Her writing is as engaging as always, sometimes tongue-in-cheek funny, sometimes serious, always magical. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales. The only fault I can find with it, is that it is too short, and I think a few things are rushed. Still, it's a must-read book. ... Read more

Book Description

The classic tales in this lavishly illustrated collection have enchanted generations of readers. Here, among others, is the fair Snow White, Rapunzel with her golden tresses, and the princess so delicate that even just a small pea hidden under 20 mattresses keeps her awake at night. The stories are paired with magnificent artwork by some of the most renowned children's book illustrators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From Arthur Rackham to Millicent Sowerby to Kay Nielsen, each brought a unique artistic vision to these timeless tales. This beautifully designed edition is equally at home on a child's bedside table as it is on a collector's bookshelf. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is a delightful book!
As an admirer of Princess Diana, I truly enjoyed this book. It can be read to children just as any fairy tale. However, the reality of the story makes it quite special. The pictures are a little small. It's a book that I'd like to have for my daughters.

All Ages will enjoy this book.
Although there are many errors which a person like me, who collects books on the royal family will recognize, it's still good reading.

It begins as most fairy tales do, "Once upon a time." There is a picture of Diana or Charles on every page. This true fairy tale combines all aspects of her life including her tragic death, services, and final resting place at Althrop - her ancestral estate. I especially liked the last page: "The beautiful Princess Diana will live in our hearts forever - and her soul still shines brightly in her two brave boys - Prince Harry and Prince William, the boy who will one day be king."

The pages are not numbered and I did not take the time to count them. This is a hardback edition. ... Read more

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