The Princess and the Peas and Carrots

PreS-Gr 2—Rosebud is a bit of a perfectionist. Her stuffed animals must be arranged just so, her crayons lined up in a row, and she always has a clean piece of paper waiting in case she makes a mistake. She is so exacting that she earns the nickname Princess Fussy by her family. After a particularly bad tantrum over her peas and carrots touching on her plate, her dad reads the story "Princess and the Pea" to soothe her to sleep. When she cannot get to sleep, he discovers a marble underneath her mattress, leading them to believe that she might be a genuine princess after all. Ziefert's text is fun and upbeat. Foster's cartoon illustrations add emphasis to the text and are full of vibrant watercolor touches. Readers also get a bonus: when Rosebud's dad reads her the story, it is presented in book format to flip through. This title will appeal to youngsters, especially those who are quite particular about their likes and dislikes.—Mary Cass Mabbot, Indianapolis Public Library