Princess Penelope Takes Charge

Princess Penelope #2

by Todd Mack

For every child who has ever had to learn to share the throne, PRINCESS PENELOPE TAKES CHARGE! is sure to become a reigning favorite.

"Penelope was a princess. She had absolutely everything...." Well, almost. More than anything, she wants to be a big sister. So when her parents announce they are having a baby, she is overjoyed... until she meets her new sibling and discovers a few royal surprises.

Rhythmic text and fanciful art make this perfect for storytime. Kids will love comparing Penelope's real world with her royal one, playfully shown in pink bubbles. Here's a heartfelt, honest, and humorous look at the frustrations and joys of becoming a big sister.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it's a little early, God-willing your parents will have more kids. In this book, Princess Penelope also faces an impending sibling. It is cute and sweet, and I love how Penelope sees everything as part of a fantasy (you'll have to look closely at the pictures, but it's pretty awesome). Overall, the story, while familiar, is told creatively and the illustrations greatly aid the book. I think it's a book that we will enjoy reading together.

My Favorite Picture:
The last one, especially as Penelope sees it. :)

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope has everything a child could ever want, except for baby sister. She’s delighted when she learns that her mother is pregnant. She fantasizes all the wonderful things she will do with her baby sister but, to her dismay, Mommy comes home with a little boy, Dexter. Her mother says he will be fun to play with but Penelope is repeatedly disappointed. The baby mostly sleeps and watches. Eventually, Penelope begins to help to care for her little brother and engages him in play. She reads to him and sings to him and finally realizes, “she has absolutely everything.”

This would be a perfect book to read to a child who is expecting his or her first sibling. It will help parents discuss what babies can do and how engaging with them requires patience and time. If the gender of the baby is unknown, it is important for the child to understand that the gender of the baby is unpredictable.

Julia Gran’s illustrations are simple cartoons that gives the story a sense of fun. The title was a poor choice and should have had a better connection to the story.

[Tara]

Penelope has everything. All she needs now is to be a big sister. She just knew it was going to be a baby sister. But when it turns out to be a baby brother, she doesn't know what she'll do! She asks her parents to trade him for a girl, but they won't do it! After awhile though, Dexter turns out to be a lot of fun!

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, Penelope gets a baby sibling- a brother. All she had ever wanted was a sister, so she gets pretty upset. At the end she realizes that having a brother isn't too bad. This would be a good one one one book, but it was too boring and long for a storytime book. I lost my crowd about half way through.

Not good for storytime.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Penelope has to learn to deal with a sibling, and a brother on top of it!
The illustrations are detailed and marvelous!!

[Rommel Sison · Rating 3 out of 5]

6-year-old daughter: 5 stars
5-year-old daughter: 5 stars