The Princess of 8th Street

K-Gr 3—Princess Jane lives high in a tower (high-rise) overlooking her kingdom (the city). There she attends to her royal duties, studying, dancing, and managing the royal zoo (her collection of stuffed animals). But being a princess is a lonely life. She must also endure a horrible toad (her brother) who crashes her tea parties. When the queen (Mom) asks Jane to accompany her to the market, the princess jumps at the chance. On the way, the queen suggests that Jane stop and play (at the "pleasure grounds"), but the princess insists that she is too delicate for such activity. As they pass the playground again on the way back, the queen insists she play with the other lords and ladies (children). Jane throws a royal tantrum until a confrontation with another maiden results in a standoff between the Princess of 8th Street and the Princess of 10th Street. Giggles ensue and a friendship is made. Young princesses in training may find this picture book somewhat appealing, but the story feels forced and the illustrations are one-dimensional. The facial expressions are exaggerated and the characters undistinguished. The formality of the text fails to engage readers and at times feels parenthetical to the art. The overall story, while it may ring true, is a tired one. Stick with Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton's "The Very Fairy Princess" series (Little, Brown) for more appealing characters with a cheerier demeanor.—C. J. Connor, Campbell County Public Library, Cold Spring, KY