The Twelve Dancing Princesses

by Jane E. Ray (Illustrator), Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm

Discover where the twelve beautiful princesses slip off to every night!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fantasy

Paperback

Published January 1, 2002

About the author

Born in London, Jane studied art and design at Middlesex University. Her main study was ceramics and she didn't start to illustrate until she left college. Her first published work was a series of greetings cards for Roger la Borde, followed by some book jackets, and eventually black and white illustrations for a poetry anthology with Orchard Books.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray illustrations are usually lovely,and this story really plays to her strengths, with all the fancy dresses, luxurious castles, and lush gardens. Faces and anatomy are her weakest point, but still nice. The princesses seemed to be of several different races so one assumes they have some number of mothers (no wife/wives of the king are mentioned) which makes sense in terms of them all being the right age to be unmarried but old enough to go out dancing all night. Most of them are dark-ish so this might be a nice book for parents who are sick of blond barbie-looking princesses. Also a couple wear glasses, one is chubby, but they are all still described as "beautiful."

In terms of the text this wasn't a particularly interesting version. Kind of minimalist. The princesses don't seem to be suffering or under a spell -- there is no mention of them being ill, or being compelled to dance -- and it isn't stated that the father forbids dancing, so why they won't tell him isn't clear. Those who try to solve the mystery are not executed in this version so there's not a lot of tension with the plot.

This and Marianna Mayer's are the two best-illustrated versions of this story I've found so far. I don't remember Mayer's text that well but I think there was more of it than in this version, and more interesting. This one might be better for a slightly younger child who likes finding details in pictures.

[Sharon L · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading it I remembered hearing of the story in my childhood. strangely enough though it wasn't a favourite of mine back then many of the things that disturbed me now I couldn't care less about as a child.

Twelve princess sneaking out each and eery night to dance with their beautiful handsome princes. well, they didn't care for all the princes that tried to discover their secrets and just ket them be executed!

moreover, why just not tell daddy what you're doing?

and what's the point? that some tired solider became a king? that he married the princess he chose? well how did she feel about that?

I don't know, I mean, sure it's a fairytale that was written in a different time but so many things just get on my nerves.

but as a child I did like it though.

now as for the illustrations- I do not rmeber them from when I was young, and now I just read the text. but as I know myself quite well (what? don't give me that look! it's not like I know everything about myself! why, do you?) I'm pretty sure one of the reasons I had no problem with the story was because the illustrations were good, if they were ugly Judgemental little me probably would have remembered.

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairly straightforward retelling of the classic fairy tale; twelve beautiful princesses befuddle their father by wearing out their beautiful dancing slippers each night despite the overbearing king locking them in their room every night. He offers one of his daughters and his kingdom to whoever can figure out what is happening every night. Plenty of suitors try but thanks to the cunning of the twelve princesses all of them fail until a kind wounded soldier arrives with a few secrets of his own up his sleeve. It’s a cute fairytale and the art is detailed vibrant and cleverly conceived. There’s something about the flat style, especially the king’s face, that turns me off but overall well done.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is a great read aloud without being too short, although this retelling is much more lighthearted than some other retellings I've enjoyed. The illustrations took me a few pages to get used to, but the further into the enchanted land the princesses ventured, the more lush and engaging Ray's art became. I especially liked that the princesses represent a variety of women---dark-skinned and fair, curly- and short-haired; a couple of the princesses even wear glasses. A warm and imaginative retelling.

[Isobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message of the story teaches children about the importance of not keeping secrets but making sure they tell people about what they are doing so others do not become worried.

I would recommend this story because the plot is interesting and intriguing, it helped me to realise the importance of letting others what you are doing. The illustrations were beautiful because they were detailed and colourful which I thought helped to symbolise each princesses’ royalty.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another childhood favourite. Still love it now.
The story is great and the illustrations are just beautiful.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife informed me that this was one of her favorite books as a child. I had not know this, and I had not herd of the Grimm's fairy tale. She told me that I need to read it, and then she said that she would read it to me. It was great to have my wife read a story for me. I think that is part of the reason that I gave it a four.

[bell]

The illustrations in this book are so freaking beautiful. I would have drooled all over this book had I read it as a kid.

Sorry for the eldest sister getting forced in to marriage, but what a queen move to literally decree that she and her sisters should go dancing as often and for as long as they want. Amazing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story. I love the fairy tales. Lately I am really into them for some reason. I feel the desire to go back and re-read them all. that will have to wait though, because I am already reading two books, and don't have much time for that because of moving.

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text is a straightforward retelling of the 12 Dancing princesses. meanwhile, the illustrations are definitely referencing a certain style, I can't just put my finger on which one. Gauguin? Picasso? Klimt? Whichever, the eyes are creepy.

[Janell's Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language and illustrations in this book are beautiful.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text of the retelling is a bit weak and watered-down (no mention of enchantments or killing), but the illustrations are lovely and seem to feature diverse princesses (and a dark-skinned solider).

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sumptuous drawings! Good story about strong women.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

I battle with myself when I put this book out for students. Do I support their literacy by putting out a book they will read? Yes. But the feminist in me wants to gag!