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The Practical Princess
This liberating 1960s classic is now back in print from Purple House Press!
Princess Bedelia was as lovely as the moon shining upon a lake, as graceful as a leaping cat, and she was also extremely practical. When a dragon moved into her neighborhood demanding a princess to devour, Bedelia's practicality and self-preservation kicked into gear.
"Rubbish!" she said. "Dragons can't tell the difference between princesses and anyone else. Use your common sense. He's just asking for me because he's a snob."
She proceeded to defeat the bothersome dragon, outwit her conniving suitor, and rescue a prince sleeping under a spell while locked away at the top of a tall, magical tower with no stairs. Well ahead of its time when written back in 1969, this twist on the standard princess fairy tale gives young girls and boys a clever heroine to admire. Indeed, the author wrote this story for his grandson, Ben.
Friso Henstra collaborated with Jay Williams on nine picture books for children. In 1969 his quirky, memorable illustrations in The Practical Princess won the prestigious Golden Apple Award at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava, one of the oldest international honors given to children's book illustrators.
Princess Bedelia was as lovely as the moon shining upon a lake, as graceful as a leaping cat, and she was also extremely practical. When a dragon moved into her neighborhood demanding a princess to devour, Bedelia's practicality and self-preservation kicked into gear.
"Rubbish!" she said. "Dragons can't tell the difference between princesses and anyone else. Use your common sense. He's just asking for me because he's a snob."
She proceeded to defeat the bothersome dragon, outwit her conniving suitor, and rescue a prince sleeping under a spell while locked away at the top of a tall, magical tower with no stairs. Well ahead of its time when written back in 1969, this twist on the standard princess fairy tale gives young girls and boys a clever heroine to admire. Indeed, the author wrote this story for his grandson, Ben.
Friso Henstra collaborated with Jay Williams on nine picture books for children. In 1969 his quirky, memorable illustrations in The Practical Princess won the prestigious Golden Apple Award at the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava, one of the oldest international honors given to children's book illustrators.
43 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
4 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Jay Williams
156 books41 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Jay Williams (May 31, 1914–July 12, 1978) was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college. Between 1931 and 1934 he attended the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University where he took part in amateur theatrical productions.
Out of school and out of work during the end of the Depression, he worked as a comedian on the upstate New York Borscht Belt circuit. From 1936 until 1941, Jay Williams worked as a press agent for Dwight Deere Winman, Jed Harris and the Hollywood Theatre Alliance. And even though he played a feature role in the Cannes prize winning film, The Little Fugitive produced in 1953, he turned his attention to writing as a full time career after his discharge from the Army in 1945. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. While serving in the Army he published his first book, The Stolen Oracle, in 1943.
Williams may be best-known for his young adult "Danny Dunn" science fiction/fantasy series which he co-authored with Raymond Abrashkin. Though Abrashkin died in 1960, he is listed as co-author of all 15 books of this series, which continued from 1956 until 1977. Jay Williams also wrote mysteries for young adults, such as The Stolen Oracle, The Counterfeit African, and The Roman Moon Mystery.
In all, he published at least 79 books including 11 picture books, 39 children's novels, 7 adult mysteries, 4 nonfiction books, 8 historical novels and a play.
Williams and his wife Barbara Girsdansky were married June 3, 1941. They had a son, Christopher ("Chris"), and a daughter, Victoria. Jay Williams died at age 64 from a heart attack while on a trip to London on July 12, 1978.
Jay Williams (May 31, 1914–July 12, 1978) was an American author born in Buffalo, New York, the son of Max and Lillian Jacobson. He cited the experience of growing up as the son of a vaudeville show producer as leading him to pursue his acting career as early as college. Between 1931 and 1934 he attended the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University where he took part in amateur theatrical productions.
Out of school and out of work during the end of the Depression, he worked as a comedian on the upstate New York Borscht Belt circuit. From 1936 until 1941, Jay Williams worked as a press agent for Dwight Deere Winman, Jed Harris and the Hollywood Theatre Alliance. And even though he played a feature role in the Cannes prize winning film, The Little Fugitive produced in 1953, he turned his attention to writing as a full time career after his discharge from the Army in 1945. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart. While serving in the Army he published his first book, The Stolen Oracle, in 1943.
Williams may be best-known for his young adult "Danny Dunn" science fiction/fantasy series which he co-authored with Raymond Abrashkin. Though Abrashkin died in 1960, he is listed as co-author of all 15 books of this series, which continued from 1956 until 1977. Jay Williams also wrote mysteries for young adults, such as The Stolen Oracle, The Counterfeit African, and The Roman Moon Mystery.
In all, he published at least 79 books including 11 picture books, 39 children's novels, 7 adult mysteries, 4 nonfiction books, 8 historical novels and a play.
Williams and his wife Barbara Girsdansky were married June 3, 1941. They had a son, Christopher ("Chris"), and a daughter, Victoria. Jay Williams died at age 64 from a heart attack while on a trip to London on July 12, 1978.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 6, 2020
Princess Bedelia has the usual princessy attributes like charm and beauty, but she's also got a big dollop of common sense. Thanks to this gift, she constantly manages to outwit a warty old would-be suitor, and in the process, becomes a dragon-slaying, prince-rescuing ass-kicker. Is it any wonder this was one of my childhood favorites?
And, add this to the list of things I liked as a kid that I can't get enough of as an adult - Friso Henstra's amazing artwork.
And, add this to the list of things I liked as a kid that I can't get enough of as an adult - Friso Henstra's amazing artwork.
November 8, 2013
What an awesome book! Yeah practical princess for not relying on a man to take care of yourself! I'm not a feminist, but I'm all about people helping themselves. My 5 yr old loved this one and wants to look for more by this author. Too long for the younger crowd, but a great story. Really loved this one. Very different and a lot of fun.
October 22, 2012
I was given this as a child. I am 38 now and I still read it when I can not sleep. It helped to form the woman I am today and I am forever grateful to my mother's best friend, (one of the many, wonderfully liberated woman who helped frame my adolescence) who gave this book to me. Gorgeous silhouette illustrations which I, now, would compare to Kara Walker's chilling, dreamlike, narrative work.
January 12, 2014
Find a copy of this 1969 picture book and read it if you enjoy being utterly delighted! Why oh why isn't it still in print???
March 1, 2022
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I pulled this out of a Little Free Library, but the quirky illustrations quickly grew on me and the role reversals were charming without tilting into sanctimonious.
October 15, 2025
A great reread -- both for Williams's fractured fairy tale and Henstra's quirky art!
January 28, 2013
I loved this book as a little girl. I thought it was fantastic and that Princess Bedelia was amazing and cool and that Lord Garp was perfectly dreadful. I loved that the Princess rescued the Prince and I thought the illustrations were BEAUTIFUL. I especially liked one in which Princess Bedelia is looking through her fingers at nasty old Lord Garp, who wants to marry her, and her face is just the picture of horrified desperation.
As an adult, I became obsessed with the idea of securing this book to read to my own daughters. I spend a bunch of time and money online tracking down a rare used copy (it was long out of print) only to discover three things: (1) the book is hopelessly dated - although I still think it's awesome; (2) neither of my daughters cared about it AT ALL; and (3) my mother still had my original copy and was happy to send it to me at no cost. (Why didn't I ask her before going all crazy??)
Also, a school librarian friend sent me a copy. Also for free. So, now I have 3 copies of this book and I couldn't be more thrilled.
As an adult, I became obsessed with the idea of securing this book to read to my own daughters. I spend a bunch of time and money online tracking down a rare used copy (it was long out of print) only to discover three things: (1) the book is hopelessly dated - although I still think it's awesome; (2) neither of my daughters cared about it AT ALL; and (3) my mother still had my original copy and was happy to send it to me at no cost. (Why didn't I ask her before going all crazy??)
Also, a school librarian friend sent me a copy. Also for free. So, now I have 3 copies of this book and I couldn't be more thrilled.
October 1, 2014
This high-spirited and witty story was read to me in second grade, and I was delighted to rediscover it as an adult. It ought to be reprinted and then made into an animated movie. An unconventional fairy godmother gives Princess Belinda the gift of practicality. The King and Queen don't immediately see what use a princess would have for common sense, but the reader certainly does, as Belinda vanquishes all obstacles with her brains and unflappable can-do attitude.
November 18, 2011
I think I would have loved this as a kid. Now, not quite so much.
October 24, 2025
What a wonderful, wise little feminist tale this is. A beautiful princess is gifted 3 presents by fairies. The one least appreciated by her father is common sense, but then he is rather unwise, almost negligent. The princess learns early on that when it comes to danger, unwanted attention, and making a future for herself, she had best take control and make things happen. As I was looking at the illustrations, I had a sense of being immersed in the 1960s ala Yellow Submarine and other art of that era. I flipped back to the copyright page and lo! 1969. The end papers are gorgeous, the whole book is a treat. A must for little boys and girls, including/especially the grown up ones.
October 10, 2023
Upends the typical story nicely.
June 24, 2016
“An Unusual Birth Gift”
Typically a princess receives special gifts upon her birth, but to her father’s displeasure Princess Bedelia was given something truly unique in those olden days of fairy tales: the gift of being Practical. Beauty and Grace are charming gifts, of course, but let us encourage girls to be proactive in their own behalf. Using her wit and total faith in her own mental abilities Bedelia first saves her country (and herself) from a carnivorous dragon. But that was just the first challenge to her feminine self-sufficiency. When faced with a mean, old cheat of a would-be suitor, Lord Garp, she demonstrates remarkable talent for gracefully fobbing him off. With its bold illustrations by Triso Henstra this story is perfect for 21st century young ladies (whether being read to or those who can read for themselves) who reject the idea of helpless females who must be rescued by strong or clever princes. Imagine—women’s lib in the Middle Ages!
June 24, 2016
Typically a princess receives special gifts upon her birth, but to her father’s displeasure Princess Bedelia was given something truly unique in those olden days of fairy tales: the gift of being Practical. Beauty and Grace are charming gifts, of course, but let us encourage girls to be proactive in their own behalf. Using her wit and total faith in her own mental abilities Bedelia first saves her country (and herself) from a carnivorous dragon. But that was just the first challenge to her feminine self-sufficiency. When faced with a mean, old cheat of a would-be suitor, Lord Garp, she demonstrates remarkable talent for gracefully fobbing him off. With its bold illustrations by Triso Henstra this story is perfect for 21st century young ladies (whether being read to or those who can read for themselves) who reject the idea of helpless females who must be rescued by strong or clever princes. Imagine—women’s lib in the Middle Ages!
June 24, 2016
October 16, 2021
I got this for my son and daughter in 1970 and we all fell in love with it. Princess Bedelia is wonderful! She turns the fairy tale world upside down. When the usual fairy tale bad-guy, Lord Garp, does the the typical fairy tale meanness, Princess Bedelia doesn't respond in the time honored way. She looks the problem straight on and says, "Nonsense!"
The illustrations complement the story and are works of art in themselves. Taken all together this is a classic you don't want to miss.
The illustrations complement the story and are works of art in themselves. Taken all together this is a classic you don't want to miss.
April 16, 2019
Got this book in a swap in elementary school, and as I've grown it's only become more precious. This edition has sumptuous illustrations, and the story itself BLEW MY DISNEY SOAKED MIND. Waaaaaaaay ahead of it's time, The Practical Princess subverts several fairy tale tropes and has the protagonist use logic to save the day! I'm the annoying aunt who buys this for all my friends' kids, but it quickly becomes their favorite!
September 30, 2019
Saw this and knew I HAD to read it.
A princess is given three gifts at birth, but what is first was thought as a silly gift, common sense, turns out to be the undoing of her enemy Lord Garp.
Smart Princess Bedelia, becomes the hero of her own story by telling herself to take a moment to really think about a situation and find a solution. This 1969 book is perfect for any generation as it shows the importance of thinking things through.
A fun read!! I highly recommend.
A princess is given three gifts at birth, but what is first was thought as a silly gift, common sense, turns out to be the undoing of her enemy Lord Garp.
Smart Princess Bedelia, becomes the hero of her own story by telling herself to take a moment to really think about a situation and find a solution. This 1969 book is perfect for any generation as it shows the importance of thinking things through.
A fun read!! I highly recommend.
October 2, 2023
I found this book in a second hand store for $1 & it is my best book find ever.
This princess is gifted with common sense and she very intelligently solves her dilemmas and is her own hero. ♡♡♡
Highly recommend.
This princess is gifted with common sense and she very intelligently solves her dilemmas and is her own hero. ♡♡♡
Highly recommend.
July 29, 2008
I think this book, more than any other, shaped my character. It's about what you can--and can't--count on to "save" you in this world, and i think it's a must-read for any girl (or boy).
September 28, 2009
Oh how I love a practical princess. Great message for children! The illustrations are pretty cool too. Overall a great story.
August 5, 2011
This was my favorite book when I was little!
January 3, 2015
I loved this so much as a kid!
May 31, 2013
previously owned by Imogene Baugher (maternal grandmother)
March 28, 2015
Great combination of story and illustrations.
February 16, 2019
A splendid book with lots of humor and great characters.
May 8, 2019
An actual feminist fairy tale that feels like a fairy tale and not a screed. Also provides a working definition of patriarchy: the villain of the story is “too old and rich to be ashamed.”
October 8, 2022
Thnks
December 21, 2022
A children’s book ahead of it’s time. Princess slays dragon, saves herself. Awesome.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews