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Description

Product Details

  • Pub. Date: February 2009
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
  • Format: Hardcover, 32pp
  • Age Range: 4 to 8
  • ISBN-13:
    9781416938330

  • ISBN:
    1416938338

Synopsis

Princess Bess has loads of clothes

made with satin, snaps, and bows.

And she changes them all day,

for her lessons and ballet.

But if a certain truth be told,

her favorite clothes are much less bold.

She carefully keeps them out of sight

until it's time for bed at night.

Then in her room without a care,

she plays in what she loves to wear.

Publishers Weekly

From the glitter on the jacket and Barbie-pink endpapers to the catchy rhymed descriptions of Princess Bess's "loads of" beautiful clothes, Cuyler's (100th Day Worries) sprightly story brims over with little-girl appeal. Princess Bess, depicted in debut artist Maione's zesty ink-and-watercolor art with carrot-colored ringlets and apple-red cheeks, leads a busy life (together with her omnipresent puppy, whose doings add an extra note of humor). Every activity of Bess's day, from ballet lessons to art class to jousting and chess, demands a different outfit. Even mealtimes require a costume change: "for luncheon with the prince/ she wore pink pantaloons of chintz," writes Cuyler; Maione shows her lounging barefoot in a treetop with an equally casually clad boy prince as a footman on a ladder holds a tray. But only when she has "closed her curtains, locked her door, dropped her dress upon the floor" is Bess finally free to dress as she likes-in her underclothes. The well-crafted rhymes roll easily off the tongue; Maione's droll pictures, balancing fashion-loving detail with Bess's brio, are a skillful accompaniment. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biography

Margery Cuyler has written stories ever since she learned how to write. A children's book editor and author for more than twenty years, she now devotes most of her time to writing. Her many children's books include 100th Day Worries, illustrated by Arthur Howard, and The Biggest, Best Snowman, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. Margery lives with her family in Princeton, New Jersey, in a house that's said to be haunted by a ghost!

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Most Helpful Positive Review:

A TITLE AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS4 star rating
by GailCooke on February 21, 2009 at Barnes & Noble
While some young girls may dream of being a princess, wonder how many realize the attendant obligations. Certainly, there are probably quite a few perks to being a royal, however, it may be a bit of a trade-off as some princesses find that their lives are pretty much programmed for them. Such is the case with Princess Bess. She is busy from dawn to dusk and each occasion calls for a change of clothes. Fortunately, she has an enormous wardrobe, which is described as: "Princess Bess has loads of clothes made with satin, snaps and bows, buckles, ribbons, silk, and lace, pearly buttons sewn in place." Lucky girl? Well, not quite because what she really wants to wear is not ever part of her official costume. Heather Maisone's delightful pastel illustrations prettily detail this young lady's days, while author Cuyler relates the story in lilting rhyme. Youngsters will enjoy a peek at a palace, those who live there, and those who visit. Perhaps they'll also decide how very fortunate they are to quite often wear exactly what they want. - Gail Cooke

Reviews sorted by helpfulness:

  • A TITLE AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS4 star rating
    by GailCooke on February 21, 2009 at Barnes & Noble
    While some young girls may dream of being a princess, wonder how many realize the attendant obligations. Certainly, there are probably quite a few perks to being a royal, however, it may be a bit of a trade-off as some princesses find that their lives are pretty much programmed for them. Such is the case with Princess Bess. She is busy from dawn to dusk and each occasion calls for a change of clothes. Fortunately, she has an enormous wardrobe, which is described as: "Princess Bess has loads of clothes made with satin, snaps and bows, buckles, ribbons, silk, and lace, pearly buttons sewn in place." Lucky girl? Well, not quite because what she really wants to wear is not ever part of her official costume. Heather Maisone's delightful pastel illustrations prettily detail this young lady's days, while author Cuyler relates the story in lilting rhyme. Youngsters will enjoy a peek at a palace, those who live there, and those who visit. Perhaps they'll also decide how very fortunate they are to quite often wear exactly what they want. - Gail Cooke

Specifications

About this edition:
ISBN13: 9781416938330
ISBN: 1416938338
BINC: 9682975
Edition: Illustrated
Age: 4 - 8 years
Grade: Preschool - 3
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