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The Restless Girls
A dazzling, feminist fairytale from the bestselling author of The Miniaturist and The Muse. This inspirational story about family, sisterhood, imagination and bravery is a modern classic to be handed down from mother to daughter for generations
'A fierce fairytale for the rebel girl' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
'A complete revelation' THANDIE NEWTON
'A magical modern retelling of an old fairytale ... Exquisite' JACQUELINE WILSON
'Wild, wise, generous, ferocious' KATHERINE RUNDELL
For her twelve daughters, Queen Laurelia's death in a motor car accident is a disaster beyond losing a mother. Their father, King Alberto, cannot bear the idea of the princesses ever being in danger and decides his daughters must be kept safe at all costs. Those costs include their lessons, their possessions and, most importantly, their freedom.
But the eldest, Princess Frida, will not bend to his will without a fight and she still has one possession her father can't the power of her imagination. And so, with little but wits and ingenuity to rely on, Frida and her sisters begin their fight to be allowed to live .
'A fierce fairytale for the rebel girl' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
'A complete revelation' THANDIE NEWTON
'A magical modern retelling of an old fairytale ... Exquisite' JACQUELINE WILSON
'Wild, wise, generous, ferocious' KATHERINE RUNDELL
For her twelve daughters, Queen Laurelia's death in a motor car accident is a disaster beyond losing a mother. Their father, King Alberto, cannot bear the idea of the princesses ever being in danger and decides his daughters must be kept safe at all costs. Those costs include their lessons, their possessions and, most importantly, their freedom.
But the eldest, Princess Frida, will not bend to his will without a fight and she still has one possession her father can't the power of her imagination. And so, with little but wits and ingenuity to rely on, Frida and her sisters begin their fight to be allowed to live .
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2018
25 people are currently reading
2117 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Burton
14 books3,746 followersJessie Burton studied at Oxford University and the Central School of Speech and Drama, where she appeared in productions of The House of Bernarda Alba, Othello, Play and Macbeth. In April 2013 her first novel, The Miniaturist, was sold at an 11-publisher auction at the London Book Fair, and went on to sell in 29 other countries around the world. It was published by Picador in the UK and Holland in July 2014, and the USA in August 2014, with other translations to follow. Radio 4 commissioned it as their Book at Bedtime in July 2014. Her second book, The Muse, set in a dual time-frame, during the Spanish Civil War and 30 years later in 1960s London, was published in 2016. Jessie's first novel for children, The Restless Girls, will be published in September 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
July 9, 2021
we stan a feminist fairytale retelling in which the princesses aren't white and need no man to rescue them!!!
i think the idea for this book is so so fantastic, and could be so meaningful for so many children. which is why it sucks that this doesn't read much like middle grade at all. it's pretty dry, and wordy, and overall nothing much about it screams A Kid Would Read This to me.
plus, this isn't so much a tale of the strength/courage/wiseness of a group of girls, but of one girl, while the others kind of hang on for the ride. so not the MOST empowering.
and i have one minor complaint about a major plot point:
bottom line: the concept for this book is so good that it BREAKS my HEART to not be a huge fan of the execution. so 2.5 stars -- exactly in the middle!!
(thanks to bloomsbury for the copy)
i think the idea for this book is so so fantastic, and could be so meaningful for so many children. which is why it sucks that this doesn't read much like middle grade at all. it's pretty dry, and wordy, and overall nothing much about it screams A Kid Would Read This to me.
plus, this isn't so much a tale of the strength/courage/wiseness of a group of girls, but of one girl, while the others kind of hang on for the ride. so not the MOST empowering.
and i have one minor complaint about a major plot point:
bottom line: the concept for this book is so good that it BREAKS my HEART to not be a huge fan of the execution. so 2.5 stars -- exactly in the middle!!
(thanks to bloomsbury for the copy)
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January 12, 2022"It was best to accept a mystery and not pull its wings off, like a brute might to a butterfly."
If more authors listened to wrote their books with that wisdom in mind, I wouldn't forget the plot of every second book that I read in a matter of days. Honestly, make me wonder, make me guess, don't give me a riddle and serve its answer to me on a silver platter. I hate not having all the answer, but I hate having them even more.
Let's talk about this book though. It's no secret that I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings. Especially when it's not another version of Beauty and the Beast but a lesser-know, more obscure classic. It was easy to fall in love with this lush, magnificently illustrated book. It wasn't a particularly complex or deep story and its meaning and outcome were quite obvious (duh) but I still enjoyed this quick, beautiful read. I do wonder though - and please correct me if I'm wrong - why two white women would write/illustrate a story with twelve POC main characters. Maybe it was the illustrator's interpretation, but I would have loved to see the interpretation of a BAME illustrator.
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If more authors listened to wrote their books with that wisdom in mind, I wouldn't forget the plot of every second book that I read in a matter of days. Honestly, make me wonder, make me guess, don't give me a riddle and serve its answer to me on a silver platter. I hate not having all the answer, but I hate having them even more.
Let's talk about this book though. It's no secret that I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings. Especially when it's not another version of Beauty and the Beast but a lesser-know, more obscure classic. It was easy to fall in love with this lush, magnificently illustrated book. It wasn't a particularly complex or deep story and its meaning and outcome were quite obvious (duh) but I still enjoyed this quick, beautiful read. I do wonder though - and please correct me if I'm wrong - why two white women would write/illustrate a story with twelve POC main characters. Maybe it was the illustrator's interpretation, but I would have loved to see the interpretation of a BAME illustrator.
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April 30, 2025
First Read: November 2019, Rating: 5/5 stars
Second Read: April 2025, Rating: 5/5 stars
"it was best to accept a mystery and not pull its wings off, like a brute might to a butterfly."
This illustrated retelling of the 'Twelve Dancing Princesses' fairy tale was dark, brooding, and utterly enchanting. I adore every facet of this book, during both my readings of it, and found new details to adore and appreciate. I will never overlook a feminist reworking of a well-known tale and this is the perfect example of just why! It puts a new spin on the already known and provides us with a new angle in which to explore the way women are subjected to patriarchal law.
Second Read: April 2025, Rating: 5/5 stars
"it was best to accept a mystery and not pull its wings off, like a brute might to a butterfly."
This illustrated retelling of the 'Twelve Dancing Princesses' fairy tale was dark, brooding, and utterly enchanting. I adore every facet of this book, during both my readings of it, and found new details to adore and appreciate. I will never overlook a feminist reworking of a well-known tale and this is the perfect example of just why! It puts a new spin on the already known and provides us with a new angle in which to explore the way women are subjected to patriarchal law.
January 13, 2022
4,25☆
Urzekająca baśń o dwunastu tańczących księżniczkach opowiedziana nowymi słowami. Przekorna i feministyczna, a przy tym niezwykle klimatyczna, i inspirująca. Mimo, iż historia była mi dobrze znana, czytałam ją z ogromnym zainteresowaniem.
A poetyckie drobiazgi w stylu Jessie Burton były wisienką na torcie!
Urzekająca baśń o dwunastu tańczących księżniczkach opowiedziana nowymi słowami. Przekorna i feministyczna, a przy tym niezwykle klimatyczna, i inspirująca. Mimo, iż historia była mi dobrze znana, czytałam ją z ogromnym zainteresowaniem.
A poetyckie drobiazgi w stylu Jessie Burton były wisienką na torcie!
September 28, 2018
I absolutely adored this feminist retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, it’s beautifully illustrated by Angela Barrett and I can’t recommend it highly enough. I adored Burton’s writing and would recommend this book to readers of all ages!
February 5, 2019
Jessie Burton jak zwykle w formie! Mimo, że miałem lekkie obawy to się nie zawiodłem i była to bardzo przyjemna lektura! 😊
April 6, 2020
These princesses don't want to be rescued and marry the handsome prince. These princesses want to be pilots, botanists, astronomers, writers, singers, vets... They want to travel and experience everything and live life at its fullest.
This was an excellent retelling of the twelve dancing princesses tale, made even more awesome by the beautiful prose of Jessie Burton (she of The Miniaturist awesomeness) and the stunning drawings of Angela Barrett. Totally recommendable to everyone, I'll definitely be reading this with my kid as soon as I can trust him not to ruin my beautiful book 😛
This was an excellent retelling of the twelve dancing princesses tale, made even more awesome by the beautiful prose of Jessie Burton (she of The Miniaturist awesomeness) and the stunning drawings of Angela Barrett. Totally recommendable to everyone, I'll definitely be reading this with my kid as soon as I can trust him not to ruin my beautiful book 😛
February 28, 2023
3.75
Idealna pozycja dla wielbicieli baśni, fanów Jessie Burton albo młodych buntowniczek 💜
Idealna pozycja dla wielbicieli baśni, fanów Jessie Burton albo młodych buntowniczek 💜
October 7, 2018
"It can fill your day with sunshine or with storm. It will; conjure worlds from nowhere and make them real. It will open doors you didn't even know existed; it will show you secrets that are yours alone. And the strange thing about imagination is that it can fly absolutely anywhere, even when your body stays in one place. I've seen it happen."
I'm a huge fan of Jessie Burton's other works. The Miniaturist, her debut, is one of my favourite books of all time and The Muse, her second book, was such a good solid read too. So when I heard about The Restless Girls, a feminist retelling of a fairytale I immediately went online and preordered the book. And Burton did it again, this book does not disappoint!
The Restless Girls is the story of 12 princesses who sadly lost their mother in a motor car accident. Desperate to keep his daughters save from any harm their father the king locks the 12 girls up in a room, costing them their freedom, lessons and possessions. But the girls, led by the oldest sister Frida will not bend to the will of their father. He can take away almost anything, except their imagination. And so begins the fight to live. Cue the golden foxes, silver forests, peacocks wearing waistcoats and so much more magic.
I adored it. A good children's book can be read by adults too and if it's a really good one the adults will learn just as much from it as the child will. This book does exactly that. The Restless Girls is a story of bravery, sisterhood and fighting for your rights. It's absolutely magical. Jessie Burton does a brilliant job at making the writing accessible while it contains a beautiful flair to it. I ended up flying through the book on a quiet Sunday morning while my mind ran along with the princesses.
I have never read the original fairytale this story was based on, but I would be glad to read this book to any child in my family. These are the kind of stories that the next generation should grow up with, and to be fair, they are still the world to me as well.
I'm a huge fan of Jessie Burton's other works. The Miniaturist, her debut, is one of my favourite books of all time and The Muse, her second book, was such a good solid read too. So when I heard about The Restless Girls, a feminist retelling of a fairytale I immediately went online and preordered the book. And Burton did it again, this book does not disappoint!
The Restless Girls is the story of 12 princesses who sadly lost their mother in a motor car accident. Desperate to keep his daughters save from any harm their father the king locks the 12 girls up in a room, costing them their freedom, lessons and possessions. But the girls, led by the oldest sister Frida will not bend to the will of their father. He can take away almost anything, except their imagination. And so begins the fight to live. Cue the golden foxes, silver forests, peacocks wearing waistcoats and so much more magic.
I adored it. A good children's book can be read by adults too and if it's a really good one the adults will learn just as much from it as the child will. This book does exactly that. The Restless Girls is a story of bravery, sisterhood and fighting for your rights. It's absolutely magical. Jessie Burton does a brilliant job at making the writing accessible while it contains a beautiful flair to it. I ended up flying through the book on a quiet Sunday morning while my mind ran along with the princesses.
I have never read the original fairytale this story was based on, but I would be glad to read this book to any child in my family. These are the kind of stories that the next generation should grow up with, and to be fair, they are still the world to me as well.
August 30, 2019
I really adore Jessie Burton's adult novels but this feminist (?) fairytale retelling is sh*t to me. Considering that this novel should adress younger readers, it was written the wrong way. There were some long and boring descriptions and all characters stay pale. We barely get to know the twelve sister's names and that they all admire the oldest one. Most irritating was that the king was grieving for his wife whom he seemed to love but he didn't have the slightest connection to his daughter. And to me a modern fairstale retelling should not rely on a father neglecting his daughters because he rather have ONE son. No thanks, wouldn't happen like this because he's the king and the king's word is the law in this story so he could have simple put one of this daughters as successor in the throne. And I would have had to read 100 pages less 😂
March 5, 2019
Going to make this short and sweet.
If you are a fan of Jessie Burton’s books then this is just another one to love. If she is a new author to you and you love fairytales and beautiful imagery then you will also love this!
Even though some parts had really quick resolution, I again found Burtons writing to be exquisite! She has a way with words that is just magical and I had a big feeling going into a fairytale with her talent would be wonderful!
I’ll read anything she writes! You can buy The Restless Girls tomorrow (March 5) for yourself or read it to your kids! This book is for the young at heart as well!
If you are a fan of Jessie Burton’s books then this is just another one to love. If she is a new author to you and you love fairytales and beautiful imagery then you will also love this!
Even though some parts had really quick resolution, I again found Burtons writing to be exquisite! She has a way with words that is just magical and I had a big feeling going into a fairytale with her talent would be wonderful!
I’ll read anything she writes! You can buy The Restless Girls tomorrow (March 5) for yourself or read it to your kids! This book is for the young at heart as well!
June 11, 2021
Było to moje pierwsze spotkanie z Jessie Burton znaną z takich powieści dla dorosłych jak „Miniaturzystka” czy „Muza”. Jeśli jej pozostałe książki mają tak specyficzny klimat ja ta, to chyba sięgnę po nie wcześniej niż myślałam.
„Marzycielki” to historia dwunastu sióstr, dla których niespodziewana strata matki okazała się początkiem samych złych wydarzeń. Król Albert, chcąc ochronić córki, zamyka je we wnętrzu zamku i odbiera im wszystkie przedmioty, które według niego, mogłyby prowadzić do kolejnych tragedii.
Jak będzie wyglądało dalsze życie dziewcząt? Czy pomysłowość może je uratować? Co są w stanie zrobić, aby odzyskać wolność?
Historia tych sprytnych, odważnych i niezwykle zaradnych sióstr jest przewidywalna, ale jednocześnie tak urocza i baśniowa, że nie mogłam się od niej oderwać. Książka pięknie opisuje walkę o własne marzenia, radzenie sobie ze stratą bliskiej osoby czy odbudowę rodzinnych więzi. Naszych bohaterek nie da się nie lubić! Frida to w ogóle postać petarda, która pokazuje, że dziewczęta mogą być tymi, którymi chcą być.
Polecam i małym, i dużym!
„Marzycielki” to historia dwunastu sióstr, dla których niespodziewana strata matki okazała się początkiem samych złych wydarzeń. Król Albert, chcąc ochronić córki, zamyka je we wnętrzu zamku i odbiera im wszystkie przedmioty, które według niego, mogłyby prowadzić do kolejnych tragedii.
Jak będzie wyglądało dalsze życie dziewcząt? Czy pomysłowość może je uratować? Co są w stanie zrobić, aby odzyskać wolność?
Historia tych sprytnych, odważnych i niezwykle zaradnych sióstr jest przewidywalna, ale jednocześnie tak urocza i baśniowa, że nie mogłam się od niej oderwać. Książka pięknie opisuje walkę o własne marzenia, radzenie sobie ze stratą bliskiej osoby czy odbudowę rodzinnych więzi. Naszych bohaterek nie da się nie lubić! Frida to w ogóle postać petarda, która pokazuje, że dziewczęta mogą być tymi, którymi chcą być.
Polecam i małym, i dużym!
April 17, 2019
A beautiful new spin on “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”, complete with a lioness. An enchanting quick read, with beautiful illustrations.
December 30, 2020
What a magical and fun read!
December 6, 2018
Angela Barrett’s illustrations were the best part of this Grimm fairy tale retelling of “The Twelve Princesses”. I love myths, fairy tales and some fairy-tale retellings. However, this one didn’t rise from the start, and didn’t depart from the original storyline apart from a feminist angle, which was the byword of its blurb and introduction. I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book I had greatly expected to.
The reasons for this include:
• The literary turns of prose and descriptions seemed forced and aimed at adults rather than children of 8 years plus whom this novel is supposedly aimed at.
• I don’t think the language used or concepts would be understood by the target readership.
• The feminist angle seemed didactic, heavy-handed and self-conscious.
• There were no twists or surprises (not unless you ignore the spoiler below).
• The ending felt flat, superficial and artificial.
***Spoiler*** There was no happy ever after! Isn’t that the point of a fairy tale? Wasn’t that the point of this original fairy tale? Where are the positive male role models that a true archetype would hold? I believe that a fairy tale should be an archetype, not a stereotype as this story turned out to be.
The reasons for this include:
• The literary turns of prose and descriptions seemed forced and aimed at adults rather than children of 8 years plus whom this novel is supposedly aimed at.
• I don’t think the language used or concepts would be understood by the target readership.
• The feminist angle seemed didactic, heavy-handed and self-conscious.
• There were no twists or surprises (not unless you ignore the spoiler below).
• The ending felt flat, superficial and artificial.
***Spoiler*** There was no happy ever after! Isn’t that the point of a fairy tale? Wasn’t that the point of this original fairy tale? Where are the positive male role models that a true archetype would hold? I believe that a fairy tale should be an archetype, not a stereotype as this story turned out to be.
July 9, 2018
Illustrated by Angela Barrett.
One of the most exquisite books I've read this year so far. A reworking of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, this version asks the right sort of questions the tale evokes...why were the princesses locked up in the first place? How did they feel about their father promising them to a strange man who was prepared to spy on them?
Jessie Burton's prose is partnered with Angela Barrett who produces these glowing illustrations to accompany the text. A gloriously gorgeous book.
One of the most exquisite books I've read this year so far. A reworking of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, this version asks the right sort of questions the tale evokes...why were the princesses locked up in the first place? How did they feel about their father promising them to a strange man who was prepared to spy on them?
Jessie Burton's prose is partnered with Angela Barrett who produces these glowing illustrations to accompany the text. A gloriously gorgeous book.
January 16, 2019
What a beautiful book for young girls of today. It's a subtle girl power novel about an overprotective father who instead of being seen as evil is described as lost. Twelve fierce sisters with their unique personalities must find a way to uproot their father as King if they wish to have the freedom they deserve. It's an empowering novel as the girls do come across setbacks and obstacles, people who dislike them or disapprove of their behaviour. Their problems are realistic and modern and yet they are set in a wonderful fantasy world full of dancing and talking animals. I would definitely recommend this stunningly illustrated book to anyone who enjoys middle grade stories.
March 31, 2019
This was a lovely jewel of a book. I am always down for fairytale retellings-- especially feminist ones-- and this one is so well executed. The story is engaging and lush, and the narration is wise and lovely and never talks down to the readers. I sincerely hope Jessie Burton will do this again.
August 5, 2021
3,5 stars
I didn't have any expectations when reading this, but I quite enjoyed it! It's an interesting, diverse retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and I see how it can be very inspiring and empowering, especially for young girls.
I didn't have any expectations when reading this, but I quite enjoyed it! It's an interesting, diverse retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses and I see how it can be very inspiring and empowering, especially for young girls.
November 13, 2021
I borrowed this through borrow box on a whim when I wanted to try out reading on my phone again. This was the first time I've read anything by the author, although I have wanted to read her books for a while, and this was enjoyable.
It was a nice story, focusing on a feminism fairytale. I liked that it was advocating for young women being who they want to be, but (and I have to agree with a lot of the reviews I've read since finishing this book), I felt like it could have gone even futher in empowering and inspiring the characters and the audience. Especially because it was only really the oldest Princess that was truly striving for a better life and put all the hard work in, whilst the others didn't really help themselves. Yes, they weren't happy to be saved by a Prince, but I mean they still were waiting to be saved by someone, regardless.
I like how we had black princess, rather than a eurocentric narrative, but I also feel like that could have been an after thought to include in the illustrations (which were gorgeous in design, detail and style), because I personally felt like some of the way the characters were vaguely described, was in the perspective of a white character in mind.
It was a wordy middle grade, so I imagine it's probably better for 11+ maybe, although the story itself is still basic enough in tone. To be honest, it is a little confusing to properly gauge who it's appropriately aged for because of that conflict, but I still liked it.
Overall, a sweet story, but it could have done so much more.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
It was a nice story, focusing on a feminism fairytale. I liked that it was advocating for young women being who they want to be, but (and I have to agree with a lot of the reviews I've read since finishing this book), I felt like it could have gone even futher in empowering and inspiring the characters and the audience. Especially because it was only really the oldest Princess that was truly striving for a better life and put all the hard work in, whilst the others didn't really help themselves. Yes, they weren't happy to be saved by a Prince, but I mean they still were waiting to be saved by someone, regardless.
I like how we had black princess, rather than a eurocentric narrative, but I also feel like that could have been an after thought to include in the illustrations (which were gorgeous in design, detail and style), because I personally felt like some of the way the characters were vaguely described, was in the perspective of a white character in mind.
It was a wordy middle grade, so I imagine it's probably better for 11+ maybe, although the story itself is still basic enough in tone. To be honest, it is a little confusing to properly gauge who it's appropriately aged for because of that conflict, but I still liked it.
Overall, a sweet story, but it could have done so much more.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
May 6, 2019
A great YA read, but fun for grown-ups, too. I liked the element added by the artwork and the 1920s time period. A completely unsubtle lesson on why girls shouldn’t be underestimated or stymied. Once the (stupid, male) haters get out of the way, they can do anything. (Just summarizing the author’s central theme—not expressing a personal opinion.)
May 13, 2019
This retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" features lovely illustrations, an uncommonly elegant narrative voice, and black girls as the main characters, but despite the book's unique charms, I can only give it three stars. The plot twist at the end is predictable from its inception, and worse, it is utterly absurd. As soon as I could see what was coming, it jerked me out of the otherwise enchanting story, and I lost all capacity to suspend disbelief. Because this book is so lovely and delightful in every other way, the weak and unbelievable climax is an even greater betrayal.
December 18, 2018
Wonderfully magical, it gave me the leap of the heart and that hope that stories gave me as a child. This is absolutely a story I would have adored in childhood, and although the 'twist' was predictable to me now, would definitely have shocked and entranced me when I was little. The illustrations are gorgeous and the writing was as you'd expect a children's book to be, but with the added charm and whimsy of classic fairytales
March 17, 2020
I like the idea? But it's the language of an adult trying to write a fairy tale without the charm and natural flow of Robin McKinley or Naomi Novik, and the story is awkward and ends abruptly and unbelievably. Yes, it's a fairy tale, but just look to those two authors to see how to rework a classic.
December 21, 2018
Not really sure what to think of this book.
Some parts are magical and enchanting and so very well imagined, other parts leave me with a big question mark. I would not recommend it.
Some parts are magical and enchanting and so very well imagined, other parts leave me with a big question mark. I would not recommend it.
January 6, 2019
Modern(ish) feminist retelling of The Grimm fairytale ‘The Twelve Dancing Princesses’. Widowed and grieving the king of Kalia decides to lock his twelve daughters away to protect them from harm and to control and hamper their independent non-princesslike desires. The girls outsmart him by discovering a stairway to a magical land where they spend every night dancing, and then outwit his and their suitors attempts to solve the mystery of their ruined shoes.
This was just wonderful. Read it through in one happy escapist sitting. Burton’s language is superb, I love how each of the princesses now is named each having their own skills and ambitions (including vet and astronomer), and that in this retelling it is they themselves who solve their problems, rather than have a Prince come along and do it for them. I loved the line “Brave, resourceful, clever and kind. And terribly imaginative. Just how I like princesses to be.”
The illustrations are gorgeous; Barrett’s work is soft and warm, it feels like it belongs to a different age, but still manages to capture the energy and fun of the story. I do wish there had been more of them though.
Highly recommended as a gift to any child, or to a grown up who loves fairy tales.
This was just wonderful. Read it through in one happy escapist sitting. Burton’s language is superb, I love how each of the princesses now is named each having their own skills and ambitions (including vet and astronomer), and that in this retelling it is they themselves who solve their problems, rather than have a Prince come along and do it for them. I loved the line “Brave, resourceful, clever and kind. And terribly imaginative. Just how I like princesses to be.”
The illustrations are gorgeous; Barrett’s work is soft and warm, it feels like it belongs to a different age, but still manages to capture the energy and fun of the story. I do wish there had been more of them though.
Highly recommended as a gift to any child, or to a grown up who loves fairy tales.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2019
This is a modern retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses by the Brothers Grimm. It retains all the whimsical elements of a classic children’s fairy tale (cue the secret doorway, talking animals, and forests of silver and gold) with feminist threads woven throughout. The princesses all have unique interests and skills in art, mathematics, science and politics. That is, until such interests are forbidden by the king who fears for the safety of his delicate daughters and locks them away in a royal prison.
Like the original tale, the king, misguided by the patriarchy, feels it’s a splendid idea to marry off a daughter without her consent to the man who discovers just what these disobedient princesses get up to of a night time when they’re meant to be safely locked away. Unlike the original tale, the potential suitors are not put to death for failing to discover the princesses’ secret (let’s not be dramatic) but are released when they cannot provide a coherent narrative of the night's events.
Instead of waltzing with princes, these princesses are busting out some solo jazz on the D floor. In the end, these young women prove that princesses can row their own boats, race their own cars, and indeed, fly their own planes…
10/10 recommend this for both the adults and little people in your life. I just wish there were more illustrations to accompany the text.
Like the original tale, the king, misguided by the patriarchy, feels it’s a splendid idea to marry off a daughter without her consent to the man who discovers just what these disobedient princesses get up to of a night time when they’re meant to be safely locked away. Unlike the original tale, the potential suitors are not put to death for failing to discover the princesses’ secret (let’s not be dramatic) but are released when they cannot provide a coherent narrative of the night's events.
Instead of waltzing with princes, these princesses are busting out some solo jazz on the D floor. In the end, these young women prove that princesses can row their own boats, race their own cars, and indeed, fly their own planes…
10/10 recommend this for both the adults and little people in your life. I just wish there were more illustrations to accompany the text.
November 17, 2018
“He is not bad, he is just lost”
I absolutely love this children’s book !! Not only does it have elements of empowering women but it also encourages us to not allow others to dampen our dreams.
Being ensnared by his grief for his late wife, the king of Kalia takes away everything that his 12 princesses love to do. They were only allowed to sit, sleep, eat simple and think of marrying someone who could take care of them. However, they have a secret that allows them to escape from reality. But that can’t keep on forever can it??
I really enjoyed the plot and writing. It was very interesting and exciting. And I actually finished it while traveling today which meant I only took 4 hours !! It was truly a magical journey.
I want to thank Pansing aka @definitelybooks for sending me a copy of this beautiful illustrated book to review. This book is available at all good bookstores.
I absolutely love this children’s book !! Not only does it have elements of empowering women but it also encourages us to not allow others to dampen our dreams.
Being ensnared by his grief for his late wife, the king of Kalia takes away everything that his 12 princesses love to do. They were only allowed to sit, sleep, eat simple and think of marrying someone who could take care of them. However, they have a secret that allows them to escape from reality. But that can’t keep on forever can it??
I really enjoyed the plot and writing. It was very interesting and exciting. And I actually finished it while traveling today which meant I only took 4 hours !! It was truly a magical journey.
I want to thank Pansing aka @definitelybooks for sending me a copy of this beautiful illustrated book to review. This book is available at all good bookstores.
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