Barbie: Princess Charm School (Barbie)

Barbie Princess Charm School

by Ruth Homberg, Ulkutay & Co (Illustrator)

Barbie stars as Blair Willows, a kind-hearted girl who is chosen to attend Princess Charm School. Blair loves her classes -- as well as the helpful magical sprites and her new friends. When Blair and her friends discover that Blair looks a lot like the kingdom's missing princess, they work together to find an enchanted crown and prove Blair's true identity in this charming and magical princess story!

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fantasy, Juvenile, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's exactly what you would expect from the title and cover (in this case judge a book by the cover). Popular pretty girls (drawn dangerously thin and all the same shape) go to "charm school" where the pink and extremely short uniform flares our perfectly and has variations such as the strapless pink dancing uniform (is this making fun of little girls by any chance?).

There is a "mean girl" and her even meaner mother. There is a prince who though peripheral notices the protagonist (who is beautiful and good and popular but in no way exceptional). In a consumerist twist the popular girls use their mobile phones to help them break out when they are wrongfully detained (and singlign with their beautiful voices because this is about hyperfemininity).

There are pink "sprites" whose main function seems to be looking cute, but who do paint the nails of all the pampered "charm school" (ffs) beauties. I mean even I could make my nail polish look good if a magical sprite painted it for me!!

The main thrust of the story is to identify who is the "real" princess which is entirely predictable and vomitous. This seems to be adapted from a vapid movie that no sensible parent would let their daughter near. Seems there are lots of different book adaptations of this empty nonsense.

Not recommended, especially for impressionable children.

[Aik Kielch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch the movie, skip the book is mom’s advice. Daughter liked both.

[Mitchzl Loi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this!

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what you'd expect from a Barbie book. The illustrations were good, but some of them were on the crease and you couldn't see them.

[Zahra Rose Duxbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story from kindergarten: my bestie Emma and I had a tempestuous brawl over this book. Who knew Barbie could sow such discord?

[Erin Saflarski · Rating 2 out of 5]

This children's picture book is about girls who go to a princess charm school. The kingdom is on a search for the true princess and one girl's mother believes her daughter is the princess she steals things for the true princess and makes her look guilty so her daughter would be crowned the true princess. She fails in the end and the true princess saves everyone and good overcomes evil. This lesson of good overcoming evil is prominent to children when they read this and it also teaches them that cheating and doing the wring things will not get you what you want. This book was kind of lame to be honest but the name "Barbie" would attract a much larger audience and the illustrations are just like the movies. This book is probably for ages 4-6.

[Kelly Sommers · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first saw this book I thought it would be a lot easier to read than it truly was. I was shocked to see such difficult names in a book for new readers. I had a hard time myself pronouncing some of the names, so I am not sure how a 4-6 year old could ever say them. Besides that, the book has a fun story line. It is about a girl who ends up finding out that she is the lost princess of Charm School. Another girl at the school was not to pleased about this and tried to ruin Barbies chance at becoming princess. However, in the end everything plays out the way it should, because the truth always comes out.

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair has been accepted to Princess Charm school via a lottery draw, and she is really excited. But, Dame Devlin plans to make everything difficult for her, and makes sure her stay will be anything but pleasant.
Devlin wants her daughter, Delancey, to be the chosen princess. But, everyone realizes how much Blair looks like the previous princess/queen. And, Devlin has underestimated the power of friendship. Plus, she never thought her own daughter would side against her. But, even Delancey knows in her heart that Blair is the rightful princess, Sophia. So, she helps her out.

[Alicia Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

These shorter Barbie books never have enough context and jump around a bunch
Note* the two characters with excessive make up and jewelry are the "bad guys" of the book,
girl and her friends take baths together (swim tops can be seen above the bubbles) with 6 tubs in a large space, girl and friends seen in bath robes, woman frames girl by planting a stolen necklace, girls sneak into a castle through a window, girls are locked in a room but escape

[Andy Hickman · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Princess Charm School” (Step into Reading, Step 2) by Ruth Homberg.

Adapted from the DVD movie. Blair discovers the secret of her true identity and why Dame Devin is intent on getting rid of her.
- - -

[Alison (Ali's Books) Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend this to someone who hasn't seen the movie. It may be easy enough for an adult to understand what's going on, but not for your young daughter. Too many details are left out.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book. Love me some barbie princesspiration.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blair finds out she is the long lost princess of Gardania.

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5