What do you think?
Rate this book
Barbie and Friends Book Club
The Peasant or the Princess
Let your imagination run wild, and you'll be sure to find... Barbie! She can do things and go places that others only dream of. Whether she's a member of royalty from long ago or a mermaid living under the sea, Barbie still knows how to be the best friend ever!
When her sisters ask for a bedtime story, Barbie weaves a magical tale of love and adventures. The time is long ago and Prince Kendrick must find a bride - not an easy task for this down-to-earth royal. But then he meets a special woman, who just may be the answer to his dreams.
When her sisters ask for a bedtime story, Barbie weaves a magical tale of love and adventures. The time is long ago and Prince Kendrick must find a bride - not an easy task for this down-to-earth royal. But then he meets a special woman, who just may be the answer to his dreams.
55 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
50 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 13, 2023
yes i am reading this series.
these books came out on the same date in three waves, so the order will not be very specific. interestingly enough, in the first book i pick up, the main character is unquestionably ken, not barbie.
and the cover is SUCH a spoiler, damn! a peasant girl looks into a mirror and sees the reflection of a princess. obviously, i decided to read this one first because i thought it would be a precursor to the cinematic masterpiece barbie as the princess and the pauper (2004). but it starts out with prince ken looking for a woman to marry, and falling in love with a peasant girl. clearly we know the peasant girl is really a princess! yeesh...
still this book was hilarious and the characters were great. they actually had some oomph to them. prince ken needed an attitude check but his antics made the story. and the romance was so rushed that it actually added to my enjoyment.
anyway i forgot why i was so intrigued by barbie and her sisters growing up. it was because of these books! barbie is portrayed as a mother figure to her three younger sisters, with no parents in sight. WHERE ARE THEY?! because that's a heck of a lot of responsibility for one person. it's like lilo & stitch on steroids.
also the main reason i am reading this series is not for the text but for the doll dioramas. these were okay. they were a bit repetitive. i loved the wedding one at the end with all the sisters in medieval dress.
these books came out on the same date in three waves, so the order will not be very specific. interestingly enough, in the first book i pick up, the main character is unquestionably ken, not barbie.
and the cover is SUCH a spoiler, damn! a peasant girl looks into a mirror and sees the reflection of a princess. obviously, i decided to read this one first because i thought it would be a precursor to the cinematic masterpiece barbie as the princess and the pauper (2004). but it starts out with prince ken looking for a woman to marry, and falling in love with a peasant girl. clearly we know the peasant girl is really a princess! yeesh...
still this book was hilarious and the characters were great. they actually had some oomph to them. prince ken needed an attitude check but his antics made the story. and the romance was so rushed that it actually added to my enjoyment.
anyway i forgot why i was so intrigued by barbie and her sisters growing up. it was because of these books! barbie is portrayed as a mother figure to her three younger sisters, with no parents in sight. WHERE ARE THEY?! because that's a heck of a lot of responsibility for one person. it's like lilo & stitch on steroids.
also the main reason i am reading this series is not for the text but for the doll dioramas. these were okay. they were a bit repetitive. i loved the wedding one at the end with all the sisters in medieval dress.
June 7, 2025
4 stars. This is not the same thing as the
Princess & the Pauper
book or film. It's a sweet fairytale about a prince seeking a bride, not so much a princess as a loving, helpful woman. The romance was pretty cute, and though I saw the climax coming I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's just the type of sentimental tale I'd have adored as a kid and still delight in. And of course I LOVE the gowns!
July 29, 2012
My niece loves hearing about Barbie
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews