Princess

by Carolyn Lane

This is a book

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

87 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I found this book on Goodreads. I saw the list of cat books and started scrolling, only to have my memory jogged into recalling a book I adored as a kid, about a beautiful Persian cat who gets lost among the cold wet vacation homes of the Jersey shore. She's hungry and lonely and matted. This is such a terrific story about surviving when your world changes.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book from my childhood, I was looking for a quick read for my twin 11 year old boys. They often read harder stuff, but once in a while I like to throw in something a little easier for fun. This was one of my favorite books as a kid and my copy is so worn from multiple reads, I wanted to share the story with them. It took them both only a few days to read, as this book is probably more of the 4th grade level or so, but I read it again with them and enjoyed it as much, so it's really for all ages.

It's a story about a cat who gets accidentally left behind when her family leaves their summer home on the beach. It's told from the cat's (Princess) point of view as she struggles through many new and scary experiences of which she's not used to, being that she's a pampered cat. Lots of fun and a great story to get a hesitant kid into reading. Never realized she wrote a second book until I got online to write my review. I might just have to get a copy! Highly recommended.

[Michelle Stimpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I owned this book when I was a little girl. I read it numerous times. I've never been a big fan of animal books. And I'm not that fond of cats. What was it about this book that captured my imagination over and over again?

It's out of print now and it took me some time to find it. I couldn't remember the author and there's a lot of books with "princess" in the title. But I recently bought it used and read it again. The character of Princess is what I remembered best. She's a spoiled, fancy cat who gets lost for an entire winter and in addition to wanting to survive, she wants to get back to her pampered lifestyle. She meets another cat, Minerva, who has chosen to be a stray cat. Princess can't figure out why anyone would want to be a stray, but she's grateful for Minerva's companionship and help.

Now that I've reread the book, I remember my fascination with the end -how Princess's winter-long ordeal changed her and how at the end, she reinvents herself to incorporate what she's learned.

"Princess" reminds me what I want out of publishing my own stories. I don't need to be on the New York Times Bestseller list, or have a bunch of silver and gold medal stickers on the cover. I just want to tell a story that touches someone, even it's for just an afternoon. A story someone remembers fondly, even if they don't remember the exact details. A story that helps a reader define a little more clearly about who they want to become. Because all of us are evolving and changing with every experience and growing more into the character we're supposed to be.

Thanks, Carolyn Lane for your story. Princess is a character I've never forgotten, even if I had forgotten some of the details of her story.

[Lori Schiele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I have this listed as Young Adult, this is actually a Scholastic children's book from when I was in about second grade. I came upon a few books in my attic the other day that I had kept for all these years and decided to read them again. I enjoyed reading the book, although it only took about half an hour to do so, because it brought back memories of childhood and how excited I would get when we were allowed to choose a book from the Scholastic books catalog.

Princess is the story about a indoor "show cat" that gets accidentally left behind by her family at the beach and must fend for herself during the long, cold winter until her family returns in the summer.

I don't know if these books are still in print, but Princess, as well as the second book, Princess and Minerva, would make wonderful books for children who like reading, or being read to, about cats.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, charming, challenging. What's a pampered pedigree to do when left behind to face her first every snowy winter? Make her self useful to a new acquaintance, and learn how to survive, of course. I first read the sequel as a child, never knowing of this one till recently, and this is even better than the second.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite book when I was around 7-8. I named the stray cat that made a home in our family’s shed back then, after the stray cat in the story. I recently found a copy of it online so I can buy it for my daughter. I hope she’ll read it, and spark a love for reading like I had when I was her age.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid with my Mum! I didn’t remember the story though. I found my old copy and read it with my kids. It’s a lot sadder than I remember, and I did skim over a few graphic parts. I cried at the end haha.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A childhood favourite. As a child I loved that a cat had a voice telling their story. The author did a great job in conveying the animal voice. Still enjoyable as an adult.

[Irkalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever owned

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute book. Clean and creative.

[Maria Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just an kids book about animals. I loved the story when I was a kid because of the message of personal growth coming out of adversity. Great for everyone!