The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch

Reviewed by Julie Falkner

How to outwit a dragon who has just burnt up your entire wardrobe and kidnapped your handsome prince? That's the challenge facing Elizabeth, the beautiful princess and plucky heroine of this rollicking picture book. No demure traditionalist this: Elizabeth dons the one garment she can find, a paper bag, and courageously follows the trail of ashes and bones leading to the dragon's lair. There she confronts her formidable fiery opponent, unperturbed by his less-than-welcoming greeting: “I love to eat princesses, but I have already eaten a whole castle today. I am a very busy dragon. Come back tomorrow.” Our heroine persists, a battle of wits ensues, and while you can guess who the ultimate victor will be, the story’s unconventional ending may come as a surprise.

The meeting of small girl with huge red-and-green monster is vividly rendered in Michael Martchenko’s delightful illustrations, down to details such as Elizabeth’s blackened crown, the spotted kerchief around the well-fed dragon’s neck, and an anxious Prince Ronald in the distance. There is a wonderful juxtaposition of exotic, fire-breathing beast with homely touches such as a door-knocker; and an imaginative transformation of the initially sated and self-satisfied dragon.

This modern fairy-tale from profilic Canadian author, Robert Munsch, is a perennial favourite which gives delight even on the umpteenth reading. Munsch has a gift for telling an extraordinary story in down-to-earth words, and in Elizabeth he has created a resourceful heroine who can easily be identified with, even though she wears a crown and (initially) “expensive princess clothes.” If there are small princesses or princes in your life, this book definitely deserves a place on their bookshelves.

Buy The Paper Bag Princess at Amazon.ca:
The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch

Buy The Paper Bag Princess at Amazon.co.uk:
The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch