Princess Bess Gets Dressed

by Margery Cuyler, Heather Maione (Illustrator)

Princess Bess has loads of clothes

made with satin, snaps, and bows.

And she changes them all day,

for her lessons and ballet.

But if a certain truth be told,

her favorite clothes are much less bold.

She carefully keeps them out of sight

until it's time for bed at night.

Then in her room without a care,

she plays in what she loves to wear.

Genres: Picture Books, Princesses, Childrens, Kids, Fairy Tales, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2009

About the author

Margery Cuyler is the author of many books for children, including From Here to There, The Little Dump Truck, and That’s Good! That’s Bad! The idea for That’s Good! That’s Bad! was inspired by a conversation with her son, Thomas, who asked, "Can't bad things change into good things?" Ms. Cuyler grew up in the oldest house in Princeton, NJ, and started writing stories as soon as she learned how to write. She now lives in the same house with her husband, sons and two cats.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/marger...

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story and its illustrations are so cute. My favorite part was all the pictures of Bess’s ultra adorable dog. I came close to guessing Bess’s favorite outfit, but not exactly. (Before I read this I asked and found out the details from a Goodreads friend, the one who I’ve got in my recommended by field.) What I really liked was how so many of Princess Bess’s daily schedule/duties are normal play and typical for girls who might be reading this. Not the balls and fancy dinners, but much of what Bess does. The illustrations are busy, maybe almost too busy, but I enjoyed having so much to view.

I think that girls 3-8+ who love dogs, princesses, fancy dresses, comfortable clothes, and books about all those things (and more!) will be charmed by this book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Bess has a wealth of beautiful outfits in this rhyming picture-book from author Margery Cuyler and illustrator Heather Maione. For every event she attends, from tea with the king to a fancy evening ball, she has a different set of clothing. But her favorite outfit of all, the one she wears to bed, is just for her...

With a fun, read-aloud text - "Princess Bess had loads of clothes / made with satin, snaps and bows, / buckles, ribbons, silk and lace, / pearly buttons sewn in place" - and sparkly illustrations, Princess Bess Gets Dressed makes for a good story-time selection, especially for young children who enjoy dressing up, or who like a bit of glitter on their books. A light, cream puff of a picture-book, with an amusing conclusion that features a perennial childhood favorite - underwear!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story about Princess Bess and her many, many dresses. She must dress differently for her many activities throughout the day, from tea with the king to ballet lessons to outdoor play. But she doesn't get to wear her favorite outfit until after the evening ball!

There's nothing really *wow* here, but I think it will charm those who enjoy fashion and stories about princesses who are not too snobby ;-) I checked this out from the library because I really enjoyed Maione's artwork in The Doll Shop Downstairs and here again she draws adorable little girls and very sweet dresses.

[Set · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bess has many activities in her itinerary and she must get dressed for each one. She dines with the queen, takes a ballet class, paints, goes to lunch with a prince, goes to a joust, plays chess, has cake and tea with the king, has supper with guests and goes to a ball. The book illustrations are very girly and pink but everyone is either a blonde or a redheaded; I wish they showed some brunettes.

[The Library Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is a little too undefined--I don't know if it's the line work or the colors, but it just doesn't "pop" on the page. And considering that this is all about a princess's wardrobe, it really SHOULD pop. None the less, all the little princess wannabees will like this one--and I like the fact that Bess is no "Fancy Nancy". She dutifully wears her fine clothes all day, but happily goes to bed in her favorite clothing--her undies!

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I would have loved as a child. All the different kinds of dresses the princess gets to wear would have fascinated me and all the fun she got to have. As an adult the story was a bit lackluster and my son wasn't particularly intrigued by the illustration style. The colors are somewhat muted and for a baby his age, color pop is everything.

I might give it another try when he is older if he is the type of child to enjoy dressup but it'll depend on his personality.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet book about a young princess and her many wardrobe changes throughout the day. The rhymes aren't annoying; the illustrations are pleasant.

[Mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny little tale about Princess Bess who has so many outfits to wear during her busy day to day princess life and a funny little ending about what she really loves to wear best.

[Rija · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Bess has so many beautiful clothes for so many of her important "obligations". But, the things that she loves to wear the most is something all little girls get to enjoy!

[Lish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book. I have bought/given about 5 copies of it to my children, their friends and now my grandchildren. Princess Bess has lots of clothes and they have satin and bows!!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was really cute, and good for a lot of girls. Girls equate dress with worth and good feelings. We feel good when we're dressed well. That's nice and all, but we're truly us when it isn't clothes that define us, it's who we are.

[Ariel Cummins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid entry in to the "princess who doesn't always want to act like a princess" picture book genre. Princess Bess has many clothes for her many required activities! But she's happiest at the end of the day, when she can fall in to bed in her underwear.

The ink and watercolor illustrations do a great job of presenting Princess Bess's day. The pastel pallet gievs it a girly look, while the loose lines make it feel playful and fun. Facial expressions are well rendered and dynamic!

The rhythm isn't perfect in this title -- some sections are a little rough -- but overall, a great book to read to the little princesses out there!

[Meadow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am glad I don't have to do all the laundry for this kid, because she changes a LOT! Hazel is particularily enchanted with Princess Bess's undershirt and would like one of her own. Just more laundry for me. :( Overall, it is a cute book with nice pictures.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all princesses like to wear crowns. That is the theme of this book. Princess Bess must change clothes 10 times a day, and one would think she would love being dressed in all of the beautiful clothes. But her favorite outfit is her underwear. The moral of the story is love what you have.

[Abbi Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bess is a princess who has a very busy schedule and is expected to wear very fancy clothes. What she really wants to wear is nothing but her underwear! This book is good when talking to kids about staying true to yourself and being different. The illustrations are fantastic.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Princess Bess has a secret favorite outfit that she wishes she could wear more often. Since she is a princess she must change from one frilly dress to the next for each of the many princess activities that she is to attend each day.

Cute story that your own little princesses will enjoy.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frilly clothes and princesses -- a sure-fire hit!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little book for the princess fan. Bess is sweet and not bratty and has a look for every royal engagement. Ages 4+

[jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun rhymes!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Fancy Nancy will eat this one up as well! Similar pictures, and she does wear lots of fancy dresses!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poor princess wears a LOT of different clothes everyday, for all of the things she does, but she has a favorite thing to wear, somewhere under there!

[carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended Ages: pre-K and up

Princesses, clothing, stories in rhyme

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you have a daughter who changes her outfits 10 times a day?
This book is for her. So cute.

[Cheryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for 3-6 year old girls. It is a rhyming book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect picture book for any "princess" who changes her clothes several times a day! Fun rhymes and great pictures!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby (3) thought this book was very funny

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan has now read this book about thirty times...she loves all the fancy dresses, if only she could have them in her closet!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had been popular with my girl readers! I'm sure they love the fun ending.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your little princess might be very fashionable, but at the end of the day, she's still a little girl!