Princesses Are Not Quitters

by Kate Lum, Sue Hellard (Illustrator)

Three bored princesses decide to become servants for a day and learn what hard work is all about.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Royalty, Fiction, Humor, Princesses

32 pages, Paperback

First published April 5, 2003

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful!

First of all, I loved the illustrations. From the three princesses’ ridiculous lavender, pink, and yellow cotton candy style hair, to the smiles on the dogs, to the lounging cats, to the absurd shopping lists, to the princess snack cupboard (yum!). to the castle by the sea, the pictures are all pretty and detailed and intricate, and fun to peruse.

The story of three bored princesses who trade places with three servant girls and do their work, and oh what hard and long work it is, but they’re determined because they don’t want anyone to say that princesses are quitters, is very funny and thought provoking too. I absolutely love the end, where both the princesses’ and servants’ needs are taken into account, and how the experience does change the princesses, in a way that felt very satisfying to me. This book is a really fun read aloud, although it is important to read every word, including the words within the illustrations.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm afraid I didn't love this one quite as much as I hoped I would, but it's still a cute story about walking in someone else's shoes, accompanied by colorful illustrations with fun details. The three princesses are BORED with life, so they order the servants to take their place for the day and they decide to have some fun playing servant. Only, it's not so fun. The work is very hard, but the princesses are not quitters and they complete all their chores (the chores are listed with accompanying illustrations). At the end, they are eager to make some changes to the rules for the poor servants. The plot and "message" are a bit too predictable for my taste, but little girls who love the idea of being a princess might like this glimpse into the other half of castle life :-)

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courtney (11) enjoyed reading this one to the family tonight. Super cute!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know, yet another picture book, yet another princess story. But I've read this to the girls since Thing 1 was tiny and we all love it. It makes a nice little mantra for us on those hard days; I remind my own three princesses that we (including Princess Mommy) are "not quitters!"

[Rita Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made quite an impact on my 7-year-old. For days later, she would say "Princesses are not quitters!" when she felt like giving up, and she wanted to help so much more around the house. I love the character lessons this book teaches to young girls.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the short story, illustrations, the idea of compassion but again, this picture book promotes the idea that princesses do nothing but sit around and have a dull life, something that is not true.

[Set · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the lush illustrations of court, the princesses and everything pretty in these books. The only think that sort of bothers me is that there is no brunette or redheaded princess but there can be a blonde princess. Also, I believe that the message that a person could grow spoiled or accustomed to the good life without considering the people that work for them is important but who is to say that princesses don't have royal duties. Instead, the princesses are portrayed as lazy, and bored of lounging in the garden which is not necessary true.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the art style in this book though the action got lost in the detail and line work a few times. The story starts out with a bang, a refreshing take on a typical European girly princess theme. I eagerly turned pages to see how the author would resolve the aristocrats' dilemma. Though the conclusion was morally satifying it felt artificial and oversimplified. A little disappointing and a bit heavy-handed

[Kate McCartney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is nice look at what hard work is and how to stick with it. I am a bit cynical about it though that through the privilege of being a princess they can choose to do hard work rather than a need to be employed.

[Nojood Alsudairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this kind of books that tells girls that can be princesses but at the same time thaey can do any thing.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, we’re in the huge silver palace with Princess Mellie, Princess Libby, and Princess Allie. I like that in this book, we actually get to see on the beginning pages, just how huge their palace is. I don’t think huge accurately describe it, I would use words like enormous or gigantic.

Eating their breakfast in the garden, one of the princesses mentions how boring being a princess really is. As a group of girls now moved past the princesses, the princesses notice that these girls were again having all the fun! They were out in the fresh air and they were again doing something interesting. It just wasn’t fair! Calling these girls over, the princesses tell the girls that they’re going to switch places with them. They immediately, exchange clothing.

When the housekeeper hears of this switch, she questions the princesses but they’re determined to keep their new roles. From now on, the princesses will be the servants and the servants will be princesses. How funny!! The princesses can’t wait to get to work but by lunch time, they’re already behind schedule and I’m exhausted even thinking of them doing everything on the list the housekeeper gave them. I liked how the princesses kept going even though they were exhausted and I loved the amount of work that was included on the list. The illustrations were cute and entertaining too. There were some good points in the book and I liked how they were presented.

This is a fun series and I like how there are ideas/lessons in each of the stories. I thought the ending of the book was excellent and I really enjoyed this book.

[Christiana Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose this book to be in my top 20 best children’s books for my EDU-365 children’s literature course. I chose this book as I feel it has an excellent marriage between pictures and text. This book is about overcoming laziness. In this book the princess decide to trade places with their maids for a day and realize how hard it is to not be lazy and be hardworking. This book has lots of text so it would be better for an older age group such as, fourth grade. The text tells its own story about laziness and so does the pictures. Without the pictures in this book, we would not be able to fully comprehend the strain the princesses undergo. The pictures include cow milking, scrubbing floors, and attending to others needs. This book is not only fun and notable but teaches a strong life lesson: Hard work is not easy, but it is worth it.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely colourful and detailed illustrations which is about princesses who are bored so swap to doing the servants’ chores. They find it hard work but are determined that princesses are not quitters which encourages perseverance so they try to carry on. In the end they encourage the servants not to work so hard and the princesses join in so that it’s easier for the servants but also gives the princesses more to do. Suitable for children up to Year 4.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book and fun to read. In this story, the pampered and ignorant princesses learn what it takes to create their lifestyle. We discovered this one in a local library. (Collierville) As the book goes on, it includes all the good stuff for a read aloud and the girls learn what really matters. Great character building!

[EagleRose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't totally in love with everything in this book but I do love that it is focusing on a character trait instead of marriage. In a world that pushes relationships so much, it's refreshing to find a princess story that teaches the joy of working hard instead of mooning around for prince charming.

[Summer]

Enjoyed reading this book.
High class people taking a walk in the life of the servants for a day and finding it incredibly difficult, underperforming but persisting.

Later they have pride in the food they helped prepare the day before, able to enjoy it more because they helped make it. They can relate to the servant girls, as they have more understanding.

[Emili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern fantasy
K-3rd grade reading level

This is a childhood favorite of mine! I absolutely love the princesses’ humor. There is a valuable lesson that can be learned through this book: we must be grateful to those who do things for us. Reading this book for yet another time brought me so much joy and laughter. Can’t wait to read it to a classroom sometime!

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good comedy book but also helpful. The princesses took on the jobs of servants and saw how hard they worked. They had to be put into someone else’s shoes before they realized things needed to change. They were also very determined to show they could do the hard work!

[Adrianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three of Lum's princess books are a breath of fresh air. My daughter and I enjoyed them. Princesses is beautiful dresses for her and messages of hard work, compassion, and wisdom for both of us.

[Allison Palmgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series. The illustrations were a little busy for my niece, but we both love these princesses and how they learn to be persistent.

[Madhusree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cool book which sneaks in the value of work to kiddos?princesses.

[Amber Cucuzza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight up my favourite picture book of all time. Had since forever, read it aloud to my friends at my 12th birthday party. The princesses slay 🔥

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story with beautiful artwork and a heartwarming ending!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for girls who think that being a princess = you can be a spoiled snot-face. Maybe you can be, but it's good to find out the dark side of castle life first. Informed decisions, everyone!

[Miri Gifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite princess picture books yet. The princesses are bored to death with being princesses, so they decide to switch place with their servants for a day. They're so tired they can barely move, and they don't get to eat because their work takes them too long, but they won't quit because princesses aren't quitters. The next morning, they realize how tired their servants must be, so they make a proclamation—that from now on, all servants must rest when they are tired, eat when they are hungry, sleep in until nine, spend an hour a day just sitting in the garden, and take a vacation once a year. And they join in the work, so they're not bored anymore and their princessdom is the happiest anywhere (that's right, it's a princessdom). Feminist and class-conscious!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me put things into perspective for my young 5 year old.

Empathy and doing something about it is an important lesson.

Having respect for EVERY job and being appreciative and respectful of all jobs is a good lesson.

Lastly, trying things out, not giving up and in the process probably finding something we may greatly enjoy is a good lesson.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I read these two books backwards. It explains why the princesses weren't baking and gardening and such in this one. This one was not as funny (to me) as the other book. Still, it was fun and I love the absurdity.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty pictures and great story/moral. Could have used another page of dialog in a couple places but overall very fun. It's great for my "princesses" who say they are "too tired!" to do their work :)

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and clever illustrations - this one was a big hit with my 4-year-old. I'm not the hugest fan of princess books generally (because no one wants their little girl growing up with a princess complex), but as far as they go, this one was fun.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. While interesting that the servants and princesses switch places and learn a bit about the lower class - I'm just not sure about it.