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ljrinaldi's review against another edition
3.0
Fairy tales are a reflection of the time they were originally written in, so it makes perfect sense to rewrite fairy tales, just as a matter of course.
So, the expectation of these stories is that the women are more powerful, and don't follow the same well worn paths of their original stories. And for the most part, they do differently then they did before.
I like the concept more than I liked the execution though the pictures were fun.
Probably more for older middle-grade, who have read all the original stories and want a change of pace.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
So, the expectation of these stories is that the women are more powerful, and don't follow the same well worn paths of their original stories. And for the most part, they do differently then they did before.
I like the concept more than I liked the execution though the pictures were fun.
Probably more for older middle-grade, who have read all the original stories and want a change of pace.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
emilyalthea's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible. The stories are fun and show princesses as much more than pretty faces, and adds diversity to an idea that has been whitewashed.
5elementknitr's review against another edition
4.0
The first few stories of this book had me thinking, "Wow. They are trying WAY too hard here." Then I had a little chat with myself on how it's not possible to "try too hard" to be inclusive and demonstrate equality.
Those first few thoughts may have had something to do with the fact that A) I love the original, terrifying versions of fairy tales, and B) I was simultaneously reading "Magic for Unlucky Girls" which is a VERY different, very disturbing take on fairy tales (definitely NOT for children). Those first few thoughts DEFINITELY had something to do with lifelong conditioning, as well.
In any case, I kept reading, and when I got to the part with the knitting, they had me. If your kids were raised on Disney versions of fairy tales, they will likely enjoy these sweet tales. If they were raised on the more original versions, they may find these a bit pollyanna. Either way, these are good tales for everyone of all ages to read if for no other reason than to see the possibilities of equality and inclusion for all.
Those first few thoughts may have had something to do with the fact that A) I love the original, terrifying versions of fairy tales, and B) I was simultaneously reading "Magic for Unlucky Girls" which is a VERY different, very disturbing take on fairy tales (definitely NOT for children). Those first few thoughts DEFINITELY had something to do with lifelong conditioning, as well.
In any case, I kept reading, and when I got to the part with the knitting, they had me. If your kids were raised on Disney versions of fairy tales, they will likely enjoy these sweet tales. If they were raised on the more original versions, they may find these a bit pollyanna. Either way, these are good tales for everyone of all ages to read if for no other reason than to see the possibilities of equality and inclusion for all.
kieranl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
These were a bit silly, but definitely better than the original weird fairytales we grew up on. I will definitely buy this for my niece at some point.
thelostshoe's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.5/5
Downloaded from Netgalley Free in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely love spins on fairy tales. Power to the Princess is one of those. Each story has an element of what we now consider “powerful” in women. Each women's adventure focuses on them and not their love life. Well, it's not the center of it. Cinderella is a woman who runs her own business, advocates for the working class and still finds her prince. This prince shares her ideals and doesn't prevent her from living her goals of helping others.
“Ellia discovered that people who are treated better work better”.
While, Belle is brave and helps the beast be the best person he could be. She is upset when she finds out that he was cursed which is Illegal. She speaks with a detective and ends up working for the Fairyland Protection Department due to her bravery.
“Curses are a crime best left in the past, and she should be held accountable.”
Sleepy Beauty. she has a medical condition brought on by the Cloud fairy. The person who had sent out invitations to the party forgot to include Cloud Fairy. She has a condition that prevents her from being in sunny locations long term. The ceremony wasn't accommodating to her needs and they forgot to invite her.
“All around the kingdom were conversations of compassion and care, of accommodation and welcome.”
Through Aurora's advocacy and encouraging conversations about people... Cloud fairy no longer feels isolated and alone. Her curse on Aurora turned into something that benefited everyone in the long term.
Princess and the Pea is a story of a prince trying to find love. His parents encourage a particular kind of girl while he has differing opinions.
“The King & Queen, having learned their lesson that there is no one right kind of princess, and that no single test can determine compatibility, retired to the un-restored tower of the castle to examine their old-fashioned views.”
Snow queen, of friendship and weathering through a friend's depression ( or whatever it was supposed to reflect). The Little Mermaid, Sea king and his daughters, the king does not like humans..so his daughters focus on sea affairs .. like pollution and keeping their home healthy. She goes to the surface and meets a princess. With her help they find a solution to the pollution and fall in love.
“Once the waters were clear again, the two were married in a lively and loving ceremony in a lagoon where both Mer-people and humans could enjoy the merriment.”
Last story focuses on Snow White where the queen goes from a person who focuses on the real issues to getting sucked into appearances. This focuses on the media and portrayal of women with the focus just on appearances. Snow, is a step-daughter who soon is dealing with a step-mother who is sucked into beauty ideals than inner. She doses Snow White then brings her back with another serum..and asks for an apology and receives it.
It's focus on strong women and diverse stories. There are 2 kinds with Aurora, the Little Mermaid marries a princess. Friendships, work and doing right by people are heavily focused in it. From what I can tell, Princess & the Pea, The Little Mermaid, and Snow Queen show diversity with ethnicity.
Recommend? Yes, it's cute, different and fun.
Downloaded from Netgalley Free in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely love spins on fairy tales. Power to the Princess is one of those. Each story has an element of what we now consider “powerful” in women. Each women's adventure focuses on them and not their love life. Well, it's not the center of it. Cinderella is a woman who runs her own business, advocates for the working class and still finds her prince. This prince shares her ideals and doesn't prevent her from living her goals of helping others.
“Ellia discovered that people who are treated better work better”.
While, Belle is brave and helps the beast be the best person he could be. She is upset when she finds out that he was cursed which is Illegal. She speaks with a detective and ends up working for the Fairyland Protection Department due to her bravery.
“Curses are a crime best left in the past, and she should be held accountable.”
Sleepy Beauty. she has a medical condition brought on by the Cloud fairy. The person who had sent out invitations to the party forgot to include Cloud Fairy. She has a condition that prevents her from being in sunny locations long term. The ceremony wasn't accommodating to her needs and they forgot to invite her.
“All around the kingdom were conversations of compassion and care, of accommodation and welcome.”
Through Aurora's advocacy and encouraging conversations about people... Cloud fairy no longer feels isolated and alone. Her curse on Aurora turned into something that benefited everyone in the long term.
Princess and the Pea is a story of a prince trying to find love. His parents encourage a particular kind of girl while he has differing opinions.
“The King & Queen, having learned their lesson that there is no one right kind of princess, and that no single test can determine compatibility, retired to the un-restored tower of the castle to examine their old-fashioned views.”
Snow queen, of friendship and weathering through a friend's depression ( or whatever it was supposed to reflect). The Little Mermaid, Sea king and his daughters, the king does not like humans..so his daughters focus on sea affairs .. like pollution and keeping their home healthy. She goes to the surface and meets a princess. With her help they find a solution to the pollution and fall in love.
“Once the waters were clear again, the two were married in a lively and loving ceremony in a lagoon where both Mer-people and humans could enjoy the merriment.”
Last story focuses on Snow White where the queen goes from a person who focuses on the real issues to getting sucked into appearances. This focuses on the media and portrayal of women with the focus just on appearances. Snow, is a step-daughter who soon is dealing with a step-mother who is sucked into beauty ideals than inner. She doses Snow White then brings her back with another serum..and asks for an apology and receives it.
It's focus on strong women and diverse stories. There are 2 kinds with Aurora, the Little Mermaid marries a princess. Friendships, work and doing right by people are heavily focused in it. From what I can tell, Princess & the Pea, The Little Mermaid, and Snow Queen show diversity with ethnicity.
Recommend? Yes, it's cute, different and fun.
kateadale's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
queerbooklover03's review against another edition
3.0
These were very diverse retellings of the classics and I did enjoy how the changed then up and made them her own. My only problem was some of the stories felt rather rushed with not as much character development as I would have liked, though I do understand that these are short, bedtime style stories and for that, I feel they served their purpose.
caprisbookisland's review against another edition
4.0
If you're tired of "And the prince rescued her and she lived as his housewife safe and sound after turning 18" ass fairytales then THIS IS for you. Growing up I feel like we were robbed with seeing bad ass female MC's lol. There is no need for every story to be so bland and lacking the power every princess holds.
The second I saw this book of fairytale retellings I knew I needed It ASAP.
Every page was filled with simple ways of adding diversity, and strength in each character. Whether it be a blind love interest, two kings adopting a baby, a f/f mermaid retelling, or a female Mc that has set out to build beauty around her community with her architecture skills. This book lacked nothing and gave me everything. Each story is simple, cute, colorful, open, modern, and has the depiction of princesses and princes I want my children to embrace.
If you can get your hands on these quick stories please do.
The second I saw this book of fairytale retellings I knew I needed It ASAP.
Every page was filled with simple ways of adding diversity, and strength in each character. Whether it be a blind love interest, two kings adopting a baby, a f/f mermaid retelling, or a female Mc that has set out to build beauty around her community with her architecture skills. This book lacked nothing and gave me everything. Each story is simple, cute, colorful, open, modern, and has the depiction of princesses and princes I want my children to embrace.
If you can get your hands on these quick stories please do.
diadaily's review against another edition
1.0
This ain't it, chief. I picked this volume up in my ongoing quest to read every "Snow Queen" adaptation and retelling ever, apparently, and it was fine (cut Kai out completely, which is fine, fuck Kai, I hate boys anyway), but over all this was insipid. Bruno Bettelheim is VERY big on reading children the original tales, and finds modernizations to be bastardizations. I mean he also goes on about, like, childhood sexuality (ALSO not it, chief) and Freud (barf), but I agree that there's nothing in stories like this to really spark the imagination. Other reviewers have pointed out that the author is clearly adapting the Disney-fied versions of the tales (bastardizations of bastardizations), but even those sustain some sense of... peril and conflict? Sure, regressive gender roles and bad messages, but I highly doubt something like this will counteract, idk, the entire fucked up culture we're all bathed in from the moment we are born anyway.
I think if you want to read non-damaging, inspiring stories to little girls (with power!), maybe age- and readinglevel-appropriate biographies of real women would do the trick more nicely? Leave my fairy-tales alone.
I think if you want to read non-damaging, inspiring stories to little girls (with power!), maybe age- and readinglevel-appropriate biographies of real women would do the trick more nicely? Leave my fairy-tales alone.
zlwrites's review against another edition
4.0
For slightly older kids who are okay without a ton of pictures, but still like to be read to. A funny book, with a bit of campy, corny storylines, it will certainly expand your kids (not girls, KIDS) world while also giving them a nice twist on classic stories that empower both sexes.