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Nutmeg Princess
Once upon a time, on a little island in the Carribean called the isle of Spice, there lived a little old lady way up in the mountains called Petite Mama. Petite Mama was a strong woman and owned lots of land filled with every tropical fruit you could think of, including her beloved Nutmeg Trees. Just past her trees was a bottomless lake in the middle of a volcano, where strange things started to happen.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 22, 2013
‘The Nutmeg Princess’ is set on a Caribbean Island, called the Isle of Spice. The book is a fable about self esteem and true friendship. It follows two friends Aglo and Petal, who are friends with Petite Mama. She lives high up on the mountain and has many trees with exotic fruits & spices that she sells. Nutmeg is the most precious item Petite Mama sells. Every year when the nutmeg is at it’s best The Nutmeg Princess shows herself to Petite Mama. The Nutmeg Princess has only ever been seen by Petite Mama, the princess is beautiful, she wears a beautiful blue gown and her braids have diamonds dangling on their tips. Aglo and Petal hear of this and are curious, they too want to see the elusive Nutmeg Princess. So one morning they climb the mountain and wait for the Nutmeg Princess to show herself, only Aglo can see her. However, only Aglo is able to see her, he and Petal tell the townspeople about the Nutmeg Princess, due to their greed the townspeople also go to the mountain but are unable to see the princess. Petal helps Aglo in the water, due to her selfless deed, she is able to see the Princess. Petal is rewarded by the princess with a diamond from her hair.
I found this fable very interesting, its moral is that only those who are good of the heart are able to see the elusive vision.
An appropriate age range for this book be Key Stage 2. Perhaps read to Years 3 to 5 and independent reading for Year 6. The Nutmeg Princess is accompanied by beautiful in depth illustrations. This book could be used as part of a literacy or art lesson.
I found this fable very interesting, its moral is that only those who are good of the heart are able to see the elusive vision.
An appropriate age range for this book be Key Stage 2. Perhaps read to Years 3 to 5 and independent reading for Year 6. The Nutmeg Princess is accompanied by beautiful in depth illustrations. This book could be used as part of a literacy or art lesson.
February 2, 2014
As usual I received this title free for the purposes of review. Also as usual I give my candid thoughts below.
The book is essentially a myth centered around a Caribbean island and a mysterious old woman who sells her wares in the town but returns each day to her home on the mountain.
On the positive side, the illustrations exhibit amazing detail and are a riot of color. The meticulousness with which they are constructed is mind-boggling. The story is fairly simple but demonstrates a positive enough lesson in friendship.
To the negative, some of the illustrations are downright creepy and I could see a smaller child having a very negative reaction. Also, while the story is straightforward I'm not sure it really has enough twists and turns to keep kids engaged. It's a possibility but not a sure thing by far.
In summary, a graphically diverse and detailed book but with a very straightforward storyline that may leave some readers unengaged.
The book is essentially a myth centered around a Caribbean island and a mysterious old woman who sells her wares in the town but returns each day to her home on the mountain.
On the positive side, the illustrations exhibit amazing detail and are a riot of color. The meticulousness with which they are constructed is mind-boggling. The story is fairly simple but demonstrates a positive enough lesson in friendship.
To the negative, some of the illustrations are downright creepy and I could see a smaller child having a very negative reaction. Also, while the story is straightforward I'm not sure it really has enough twists and turns to keep kids engaged. It's a possibility but not a sure thing by far.
In summary, a graphically diverse and detailed book but with a very straightforward storyline that may leave some readers unengaged.
April 6, 2014
Illustrations steal the show!!
The story is alright. Children love fables and are drawn to stories about how things came to be, so they will like this, but it's not spectacular.
The illustrations, on the other hand, are breathtaking. The richness of color and the depth of the details...I could look through these pages for hours.
The story is alright. Children love fables and are drawn to stories about how things came to be, so they will like this, but it's not spectacular.
The illustrations, on the other hand, are breathtaking. The richness of color and the depth of the details...I could look through these pages for hours.
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October 9, 2017I'm really into these illustrations. The story is sweet and all, but these illustrations!
Also, this book was first published in 1992, after a school visit in which a girl asked Keens-Douglas if he knew any stories about black princesses and he didn't.
Also, this book was first published in 1992, after a school visit in which a girl asked Keens-Douglas if he knew any stories about black princesses and he didn't.
February 4, 2014
Borrowed from NetGalley for an honest review.
I really like the story but I didn't really like the artwork that accompanied it. At times it didn't seem to go with the story.
I really like the story but I didn't really like the artwork that accompanied it. At times it didn't seem to go with the story.
February 14, 2020
THE NUTMEG PRINCESS. I LOVE THIS BOOK 💗
October 25, 2021
Amazing story. Grenada is known as the "Isle of Spice." Love the illustrations.
July 30, 2023
I loved the illustrations and the kids enjoyed the plot.
January 9, 2025
One of my favourite books as a child.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews