Princess Casey

by Mary Ellen Brown Carlson

When the Wizard of Dreams grants Princess Casey unlimited wishes, she embarks on an adventure visiting magical castles throughout the land. Each stop offers a unique experience with the variety of whimsical princesses who live there. Children will enjoy traveling with Casey and her lovable pug. Princess Casey , a rhyming picture book, shares a playful story of a young girl’s quest for what will bring her true happiness, and it gives way to an experience of chance, uncertainty, and awareness.

26 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2016

Reviews

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casey goes to sleep with the question “What will I be?” on her mind. So the Wizard of Dreams comes to her and takes her (and her adorable pug) on a journey to visit magical castles throughout the land. At each castle she meets the princesses that live there. Her excitement soon turns to dismay as she encounters princesses who care only about appearances, or being dishonest or fake to be like others, or slovenliness, or fighting and bickering. Oh no, none of this is for Princess Casey. How exhausting! But then she comes to a castle where people work and laugh and play together. Joyousness lies all around – and, oh yes, also love. She then woke with “a rejoicing heart and a gigantic smile”.

The drawings are black and white and have a lot of detail. So be sure to take time to carefully explore the drawings. (I can see where children might like to color in the drawings.) The story is rhyming so fun to read aloud. The message is one of finding what will bring you happiness.

[Kim Bakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fairy tale/coloring book combo tells a great story. You can go and look for something that you think is better than what you have, but looks can be deceiving. All those other castles have princesses with problems that might be bigger than your own and you might be happier with what you have after all.
One thing I really liked about this story is that the main character - Casey - is Asian. As the mother of a daughter who was adopted from China as an infant, it wasn't easy finding books that had an Asian main character unless it was an Asian folk tale or a story about some Asian festival such as Chinese New Year. My daughter is grown now, but I'd love to give this book to my granddaughter so she can see a story with someone who looks like her aunt.
Although this is a coloring book, the theme and the complexity of the pictures make it more suitable to an upper elementary aged child vs a preschooler. Can't wait to give this to my granddaughter a few years from now.

[Kelly Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carson has created a sweet story, however, the problem with metered and rhyming poetry is that it can feel a little forced for the author to remain within its constraints. Still, the concept of the story is simple and universal, if stereotypical.

All of the characters of note are female and they are all too concerned with vanity, but of more concern, is that in one scenario, the princesses are so busy in vane games that none of the chores get done. What chores do they show? Dirty dishes, unkempt bedrooms, ect. (This raised two questions. 1. Princesses usually have staff 2. It suggests these are "girl" chores.

Forgetting This minor issue, the drawings are charming and quick to show Princess Casey that "it is not greener on the other side of of the fence."

[Stevie Holcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I read it, children's book or no, and it's delightful. I didn't color in the pictures (heh) because I plan on now handing it over to some child will hopefully enjoy doing that now that I've read the book. It's a fast, easy, and fun read. Very cute, full of life lessons and delightful pictures.

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received my copy via a Goodreads giveaway.
I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters are well-imagined, esp. the main character, who finds true happiness after considering several alternatives. The book is also suitable for coloring...

[Lourdes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and great read for both kids and adults, good that it can be colored too. Prince Casey visits castles in her dreams, and basically its too find out more about herself. Very cute.

I won this through Goodreads.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book. I enjoyed the written word in rhyming form. And I feel that in a children's book, it can be a plus. The intricate illustrations, following Casey's journey, also help to clarify the lessons to be learned throughout the book.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads Giveaway; opinion is my own. Is this a children’s storybook or a coloring book? The black and white illustrations are very busy and the story would be enhanced if the illustrations were in color.

[RACHEL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Casey is a sweet story looking at the type of person you want to be.

My copy was a gift through Goodreads First Reads.

[Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and great read for both kids and adults!

[Unna · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBR

[Joni Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful little coloring book with a story...perfect for my granddaughter, to whom I gave it!

[Tena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway.

[Jenn Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story, with a good message for young girls. I cannot wait to read it to my granddaughters!

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this as a goodreads giveaway. I didn't care for the illustrations.

[Mary Nee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story! This book is a fairy tale and coloring book.

[Sharyn Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My granddaughter who is 8 loved this book and kept her busy

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

Casey goes to sleep and the Wizard of Dreams takes her to castles to meet the princesses who live within. Drawings have lots of things going on in them, so little ones can look and explore each picture. Story is told in rhyme. Little kids should love this story.