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The Princess in the Forest
Spend a day with the Princess and her friends in the forest. Dew children help to get her dressed, and comb her golden hair. Little moss children bring her a delicious forest breakfast, then she practises her writing with Mrs Crow, her teacher. Next it's playtime! The Princess plays with her animal friends, the deer, hares, squirrels and birds, before telling stories to the mushroom and toadstool children. Finally, the star children light her way to bed. This is a beautiful story in Sibylle von Olfers' classic decorative style, sure to enchant younger readers.
24 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1909
6 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Sibylle von Olfers
42 books56 followersSibylle von Olfers (8 May 1881 – 29 January 1916) was a German art teacher and a nun who worked as an author and illustrator of children's books. In 1906 she published her best-known work, The Root Children (original title: Etwas von den Wurzelkindern, "Something about the children from the roots").
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 19, 2021
2018 We re read this book today. A favourite of my daughter's from years ago. She still enjoyed it aged 11.
Beautiful illustrations tell the story of a forest princess's day. The dew fairies come to help her wash and dress, she has lessons with a crow and then the afternoon is free for her to play with the forest creatures. My daughter loved this part and always longed to have a deer as a friend. The end papers are covered with a repeat pattern of rabbits washing themselves.
Lovely book, simple and gentle, an ideal bedtime read.
Read again 2021, great escapism with beautiful illustrations!
Beautiful illustrations tell the story of a forest princess's day. The dew fairies come to help her wash and dress, she has lessons with a crow and then the afternoon is free for her to play with the forest creatures. My daughter loved this part and always longed to have a deer as a friend. The end papers are covered with a repeat pattern of rabbits washing themselves.
Lovely book, simple and gentle, an ideal bedtime read.
Read again 2021, great escapism with beautiful illustrations!
August 26, 2020
So aside from her incomparable and simply wonderful 1906 Etwas von den Wurzelkindern (The Story of the Root Children), which in its German original has truly and ever since my very early childhood been one of my absolute favourite picture books, period (and also in any of my known languages), I had in fact not read ANY (or even been all that aware) of Sibylle von Olfers' other book offerings. And I was thus rather excited and also delighted to locate and to finally get the opportunity to read von Olfers' 1909 Prinzeßchen im Walde (The Princess in the Forest) and yes and of course in the German original (since I have in fact been so majorly disappointed with the English language rendering of Sibylle von Olfers’ Etwas von den Wurzelkindern by Floris Books of Edinburgh that I really did not desire reading The Princess in the Forest from said publishing house, that I really did not want to try Prinzeßchen im Walde in English translation).
But unfortunately and more than a bit truly sadly for me, albeit that Sibylle von Olfers' illustrations of a little woodland princess' daily life in the forest are indeed evocatively colourful, glowingly descriptive and as such of course also pure and unadulterated von Olfers aesthetic magic, I do find the accompanying narrative, I do consider the presented and featured text of Prinzeßchen im Walde (and which of course has equally been penned by Sibylle von Olfers), while definitely and certainly lyrical enough and sweetly cadenced, also personally rather potentially troublesome and problematic content and thematics wise.
For while I do realise that Prinzeßchen im Walde is by necessity of its early 20th century publication date of 1909 rather stratified with regard to gender and social roles (as is Etwas von den Wurzelkindern to a point as well, for that matter), the entire premise of Prinzeßchen im Walde, with the diminutive forest princess being basically described by Sibylle von Olfers as totally catered to, as continuously served by her subjects, by her many seemingly indentured servants, this does certainly and indeed leave me more than a trifle uncomfortable. And really, except for when within the pages of Prinzeßchen im Walde the princess is learning her daily school lessons, she is also almost entirely and completely passive (as the dew maidens dress the princess, the moss lads serve her breakfast, the mushroom children have to entertain her with fairy tales and so on and so on). And yes and definitely, to and for me, a bit more physical activity and some actual responsibilities and described daily duties above and beyond her school lessons for the little princess would therefore have been much appreciated in Prinzeßchen im Walde, because as it stands now, she is basically quite massively dependent on, entirely mollycoddled and for all intents and purposes also rather spoiled by her subjects (and who, as already alluded to above, are really just her servants and nothing more).
Of course Prinzeßchen im Walde is also not unacceptable or inappropriate reading material for younger children by any means, and I most certainly have enjoyed encountering and also reading Prinzeßchen im Walde as a story, as a tale in and of itself (and in particular visually, with regard to Sibylle von Olfers always delightful artwork). But in particular when considering Sibylle von Offers' narrational content, Prinzeßchen im Walde certainly does have some (in my humble opinion) obvious issues with social and gender stratification, with datedness and definitely much more so than with for example her Etwas von den Wurzelkindern (and this even though Prinzeßchen im Walde was actually published three years later than Etwas von den Wurzelkindern). Therefore, if I had young children or if I were teaching or taking care of young children, while I would of course not in any way hesitate reading Prinzeßchen im Walde aloud to them, I would also and definitely be discussing the to me obvious and potentially problematic issues with social stratification and strictly enforced roles I have noticed and also why Sibylle von Olfers might have presented the little forest princess in said particular manner.
But unfortunately and more than a bit truly sadly for me, albeit that Sibylle von Olfers' illustrations of a little woodland princess' daily life in the forest are indeed evocatively colourful, glowingly descriptive and as such of course also pure and unadulterated von Olfers aesthetic magic, I do find the accompanying narrative, I do consider the presented and featured text of Prinzeßchen im Walde (and which of course has equally been penned by Sibylle von Olfers), while definitely and certainly lyrical enough and sweetly cadenced, also personally rather potentially troublesome and problematic content and thematics wise.
For while I do realise that Prinzeßchen im Walde is by necessity of its early 20th century publication date of 1909 rather stratified with regard to gender and social roles (as is Etwas von den Wurzelkindern to a point as well, for that matter), the entire premise of Prinzeßchen im Walde, with the diminutive forest princess being basically described by Sibylle von Olfers as totally catered to, as continuously served by her subjects, by her many seemingly indentured servants, this does certainly and indeed leave me more than a trifle uncomfortable. And really, except for when within the pages of Prinzeßchen im Walde the princess is learning her daily school lessons, she is also almost entirely and completely passive (as the dew maidens dress the princess, the moss lads serve her breakfast, the mushroom children have to entertain her with fairy tales and so on and so on). And yes and definitely, to and for me, a bit more physical activity and some actual responsibilities and described daily duties above and beyond her school lessons for the little princess would therefore have been much appreciated in Prinzeßchen im Walde, because as it stands now, she is basically quite massively dependent on, entirely mollycoddled and for all intents and purposes also rather spoiled by her subjects (and who, as already alluded to above, are really just her servants and nothing more).
Of course Prinzeßchen im Walde is also not unacceptable or inappropriate reading material for younger children by any means, and I most certainly have enjoyed encountering and also reading Prinzeßchen im Walde as a story, as a tale in and of itself (and in particular visually, with regard to Sibylle von Olfers always delightful artwork). But in particular when considering Sibylle von Offers' narrational content, Prinzeßchen im Walde certainly does have some (in my humble opinion) obvious issues with social and gender stratification, with datedness and definitely much more so than with for example her Etwas von den Wurzelkindern (and this even though Prinzeßchen im Walde was actually published three years later than Etwas von den Wurzelkindern). Therefore, if I had young children or if I were teaching or taking care of young children, while I would of course not in any way hesitate reading Prinzeßchen im Walde aloud to them, I would also and definitely be discussing the to me obvious and potentially problematic issues with social stratification and strictly enforced roles I have noticed and also why Sibylle von Olfers might have presented the little forest princess in said particular manner.
October 20, 2018
Sibylle von Olfers, an early twentieth-century German children's artist and author, perhaps best known for her 1906 classic,
Etwas von den Wurzelkindern
("Something About the Root Children"), created a number of picture-books featuring her lovely art-nouveau illustrations, and her anthropomorphic depictions of natural forces and processes, from the growth of flowers to the coming of snow. The Princess in the Forest, originally published in 1909 as Prinzeßchen im Walde, is an excellent example, both of its creator's artwork, and of her vision of the natural world. The story of a little princess who is served by various groups of cherub-like beings - the dew maids who bathe her, the moss boys who bring her breakfast - as well as the animals around her - Mrs Crow is her teacher, while the rabbits and deer are her playmates - the book follows its eponymous heroine through her idyllic day, closing as the star folk (cherubs, once again) guide her home, and keep watch as she sleeps.
This is a vision both gentle and comforting, one in which the natural world guides and protects the young and innocent, and all elements unite in creating a pleasant world for her. The artwork is likewise gentle and comforting, depicting a world of beauty and order (even in the seeming wilderness of the forest). Nature itself is infantilized, so often appearing (here and in other works) as a troupe of cherub-like children, that it lacks any threatening element. I can't say that this particularly appeals to me - I suppose I require at least an element of danger or sorrow, to truly feel the power of fairy-fare - although I do find it fascinating. I know von Olfers withdrew from the world to become a nun, and would love to read more about her life and philosophies, and how this impacted her work. The artwork is lovely here - the scene in which the princess is guided home by the star folk is my favourite - although the narrative feels a little lacklustre, reading more as a list of occurrences than a proper story. All that said, readers who enjoy original fairy-tales, or artwork in the Art Nouveau style will still find much to ponder here, and it is to them I would recommend The Princess in the Forest.
This is a vision both gentle and comforting, one in which the natural world guides and protects the young and innocent, and all elements unite in creating a pleasant world for her. The artwork is likewise gentle and comforting, depicting a world of beauty and order (even in the seeming wilderness of the forest). Nature itself is infantilized, so often appearing (here and in other works) as a troupe of cherub-like children, that it lacks any threatening element. I can't say that this particularly appeals to me - I suppose I require at least an element of danger or sorrow, to truly feel the power of fairy-fare - although I do find it fascinating. I know von Olfers withdrew from the world to become a nun, and would love to read more about her life and philosophies, and how this impacted her work. The artwork is lovely here - the scene in which the princess is guided home by the star folk is my favourite - although the narrative feels a little lacklustre, reading more as a list of occurrences than a proper story. All that said, readers who enjoy original fairy-tales, or artwork in the Art Nouveau style will still find much to ponder here, and it is to them I would recommend The Princess in the Forest.
June 13, 2013
This is a solid 3.5 stars for me, as I like Sibylle von Olfers. I like the simplicity of the book and the idea of the Princess in the world. Protector and defender of the creatures.
February 19, 2026
Pretty enough book but very simple story. Probably best for a three year old. Very pretty illustrations.
May 28, 2011
I love the simplicity of the story. Jordan doesn't like it because of that, but I think it's perfect for children to read and enjoy. No conflict in it, just a day in the life of the princess. Sweet and Simple. Lovely art.
April 20, 2024
I love the enchantment and focus on nature. I personally like Elsa Beskow's books a little bit better, both for story and illustration, but there is an undeniable charm about von Olfer's work, too. It transports me not only to my childhood but to the early 1900s, connected by the thread of that eternal magic of childhood when you believe there might be little moss lads and mushroom children and dew maids and woodland critters that love to visit a wee princess in the woods.
July 2, 2019
The pictures are where it's at. A lovely imaginary world to dive into.
August 5, 2019
A sweet little fairy tale. I would have been enchanted as a child.
February 4, 2022
Ilustrações lindas da Sibylle von Olfers em estilo art nouveau! Fiquei muito curiosa pra ler outros livros da autora.
March 3, 2023
My least favorite of von Olfers' books I've read so far. I do love the illustrations of the plants throughout.
December 31, 2023
One of my all-time favorite children's books that I still come back to again and again. Absolutely magical and heart warming. The illustrations are sumptuous and gorgeous.
July 7, 2014
The pictures were really sweet. The story was fairly boring.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews