The Princess and the Frogs

by Veronica Bartles, Sara Palacios (Illustrator)

Overview

A delightfully funny reinvention of the classic fairy tale "The Frog Prince," from author Veronica Bartles and illustrator Sara Palacios.

Once upon a time there was a princess named Cassandra who had everything she could ever wish for…except a pet frog to be her best friend. 

So when the Royal Pet Handler finds her the perfect little green frog with bumpy brown spots, Cassandra couldn’t be happier. Until she gives her friend a good-night kiss and—WHOOSH!—he turns into a prince!

But princes aren’t pets. Cassandra wants a frog!

Soon her castle is overflowing with princes, and if Cassandra doesn’t find a way to fix the situation, her overcrowded castle might burst at the seams—and she may never have a frog of her own.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062365910
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	11/15/2016
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Veronica Bartles grew up in Wyoming and currently lives in Maryland with her family. As the second of eight children and the mother of four, Veronica is no stranger to the ups and downs of sibling relationships. She uses this insight to write stories about siblings who mostly love each other, even while they're driving one another crazy. When Veronica's not writing or lost in the pages of her newest favorite book, she enjoys creating delicious desserts, exploring new places, and knitting with recycled materials.

Sara Palacios is the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor for her work on Marisol McDonald Doesn't Match/Marisol McDonald no combina. A native of Mexico, Sara earned BFA and MFA degrees in illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She works with a variety of media such as collage, ink, and digital artwork.

Editorial Reviews

09/19/2016
Princess Cassandra wants a pet, and she has very specific criteria: it must be a swimmer, a jumper, match her favorite green dress, and “at night, he will sit on my pillow and sing to me.” A frog fits the bill perfectly, until Cassandra gives Froggy a goodnight kiss and he turns into a young prince who wants to get married right away. In fact, every single frog in the kingdom turns out to be a marriage-eager prince in disguise. Happily ever after reigns when the Princess comes across a prince who wants to remain an amphibian. First-time picture book author Bartles has a fun idea in mind, and Palacios’s (the Marisol McDonald series) mixed-media pictures bring a breezy spirit to this fairy tale spoof. But the humor never gels, and the heroine’s imperiousness comes off as spoiled and snooty, as opposed to empowered: “Princes aren’t pets!” is her refrain, which may leave readers wondering why a prince can’t be the best friend she so badly wants. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jessica Sinsheimer, Sarah Jane Freymann Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Kendra Marcus, Bookstop Literary. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

A refreshing princess book that puts kissing in its place and rejoices in childhood idylls.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2016-08-17
Sometimes a prince is not what a princess needs.Although Princess Cassandra, a dark-haired white girl who wears glasses and a tiara, has everything, she isn’t happy; she lacks a best friend. She decides that the friend she is missing must be a pet that matches her favorite green dress, swims, plays, jumps, and will sleep on her pillow. Well, the servants bring forth lots of pets that don’t match that description until at last presenting Cassandra with a frog. All is wonderful until she kisses him goodnight and poof! he turns into a prince. The thankful prince wants to marry her. But: “Princes aren’t pets. I want a frog!” She puts him to work in the castle. This happens so many times the castle is overrun by boy servants. Even her favorite frog turns into a prince, but this one is extremely unhappy as a boy; he likes being a frog and has nowhere to go as a human. After several days during which Cassandra is friendless and the boy is listless, she accidentally kisses him as she is soothing him, and the two live happily ever after…so long as she refrains from puckering up. Palacios’ watercolor, graphite, and digital illustrations portray a delightful array of facial expressions on both the humans and the frogs. Human diversity is introduced in the multiplicity of princes, but most of the significant characters appear to be white. A refreshing princess book that puts kissing in its place and rejoices in childhood idylls. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews