What do you think?
Rate this book
A Princess Primer
For ages the fairy godmother has helped make young girls' dreams come true. Now, for the first time, she reveals her closely guarded secrets in one wondrous volume. Everything a girl needs to know about being a princess is presented in this facsimile of the fairy godmother's personal journal, from how to wear a sparkling tiara and choose a fancy gown to what to expect at a royal ball and how to recognize a true prince. In addition to her advice and tips, the fairy godmother offers stories and personal reminiscences, all illustrated with breathtaking paintings of rich landscapes, marvelous castle interiors, and princesses from around the world. This is an incomparable gift for girls who dream of having a little fairy godmother magic in their lives.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2006
2 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie True Peters
126 books9 followers“By all appearances, I am a typical suburban mother,” reports Stephanie True Peters. “I’m forty-three, have two children, Jackson, age 11, and Chloe, age 9, and a husband, Dan, who to me seems ageless. I live in a nice neighborhood in a town just far enough south of Boston to be considered the boonies. I do the grocery shopping, the cleaning (well, sometimes), go to the gym, and operate the ride-on lawnmower with some regularity. Yes, I fit the role of typical suburban mother to a T.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
“Perhaps this explains the surprised reactions I receive when I tell people that I write children’s books. ‘You do? Really?’ their raised eyebrows and open mouths seem to say. Then come the usual questions: ‘Have you ever been published? Would I know anything you’ve done?’
“I have, and I certainly hope you recognize the titles of some of my books. (If not, feel free to pick one up sometime—or two, or three . . .)
“That I am able to spend my days at such work is, on the whole, wonderful. I lose myself for hours in imagined scenarios, made-up people, or buried in research into a fascinating topic. I’m here when my kids and husband need me and can take a day off when I need some ‘me’ time. Sometimes I miss the office life I had years ago, when I was an editor at Little, Brown Children’s Books. Then I compare my commute then (a long ride on public transportation) versus now (a short climb up a flight of stairs) and realize just how lucky I am.
“Yet if it hadn’t been for those years with Little, Brown, I wouldn’t have been part of this amazing White House book. It was my old colleague and friend, Hilary Van Dusen, who contacted me about the project. She wanted to include a piece on sports and the presidency. She knew I was tapped into the sports scene because I had edited many of Matt Christopher’s sports books while at Little, Brown—and more recently, had been ghostwriting them.
“In the course of my research for the piece, I learned that many U.S. presidents had ties to the baseball, starting as far back as George Washington. But the story that stuck with me was the one that now appears in the book – the first World Series game to take place after the tragic events of 9/11, and George W. Bush’s throwing of the game’s first pitch.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2017
This was my favorite "book" as a kid. I loved it so much and I hope to one day buy it again for my future children.
April 29, 2015
I think the idea of a fairy godmother writing a guide for future princesses/new princesses is a good one. I like that the book is interactive. However, the book still enforces negative ideas. "There are times, however, when a princess's strength and her fairy godmother's magic cannot overcome a determined enemy. These are the times that a princess may first see her true love - the man willing to put himself in harm's way to save her." It also goes on a long spiel about The Royal Wedding. I like the descriptions of spells. I like the illustrations. And I like that it shows and briefly explores princesses in non-European cultures.
June 14, 2012
I have always loved princess stuff and all those make-believe games where you get to be princesses. Even though the book is too kiddish for me, I still liked it a lot!
May 28, 2023
Even though I wasn’t really a fan of princesses when I read this book as a child, I still loved it. After all, there would have to be a guide on how to be a fairy tale princess, because that is very different than being a regular princess. I loved the details and interactivity in this book, and the art is amazing. It feels straight out of a fairy tale, complete with fairy tale morals. This book made me like princesses much better than I did before I read it.
Read
November 6, 2025i remember checking this from my elementary school library in 2nd grade and absolutely loving it. some of the pieces were missing, the front page was close to falling off, and i didn't even like princesses that much but i adored it anyway. need to get my hands on a copy i think it would fix everything thats wrong with me
xx-dnf-skim-reference
July 8, 2024Oversize tripe. Maybe better than some of what I grew up with a half century ago, as it does at least make not that any girl can be a princess in her heart. But otherwise pretty worthless, imo.
(requested because I liked a Far Out fairy tale from the author
July 2020)
(requested because I liked a Far Out fairy tale from the author
July 2020)
Read
November 27, 2021One of my favorite books as a child
Read
January 31, 2025alyse has this and we used to LOVE going through it and picking our outfits and looking at the rooms in the castle this book is SO CUTE i love it so much
June 20, 2024
Childhood favorite
November 2, 2022
This was a really cute read and I liked all the interactive elements to it. I think if you have a princess obsessed kid this might become a new favorite for them.
While the main character is white and blonde hair (i.e typical princess with not really any diversity), they did have some pages about different types of princesses which was nice and I liked that the messages the book portrayed was "kindness" to other and to animals along with other good messages.
Not to say all messages were positive or the whole book was diverse. There was the typical "how to dress like a princess" and "how to find a prince" content.
Overall it was cute and the images/format of it was well done!
While the main character is white and blonde hair (i.e typical princess with not really any diversity), they did have some pages about different types of princesses which was nice and I liked that the messages the book portrayed was "kindness" to other and to animals along with other good messages.
Not to say all messages were positive or the whole book was diverse. There was the typical "how to dress like a princess" and "how to find a prince" content.
Overall it was cute and the images/format of it was well done!
October 24, 2019
Loved this book when I was a kid!! I've been trying to find it for so long to buy for my niece!
February 3, 2010
This book is a lot of fun to share with a girl who loves fairy tales. It's not too sexist, it's a bit on the lookist side, but it's filled with imaginative factoids that mix real world fact and fantasy fairyland. I particularly liked the descriptions of princesses from around the world. The lifted flaps and inserts make this book a pleasure to read aloud; it gives the listener things to hold and consider while listening to the narrative. This book would make a perfect taking off point for teaching many lessons about human relationships, class issues, geography, history, map making, geography and land types, code making...
June 18, 2020
This was one of my absolute favorite books when I was younger. I still enjoy looking at it at times, even though I am no longer a girly-girl. I like that it promotes independence and power through femininity, but still enjoys the excitement most little girls have in regards to finding their “prince.” It’s so much fun with the info, stories, pockets, fabrics, pop ups... ah just a great book for kids!!
April 27, 2008
What a cute book! I read it out loud to my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much. We loved discussing all the different aspects of being a princess--her favorite was the clothes, hairstyles, and, of course, the crowns and tiaras. I loved the story about the princess finding her true prince who was under a spell. Ahhhh! True love! I can't get enough!
own
November 5, 2007Gift from Aunt Sarah - Christmas 2006
January 17, 2008
I love this book very much, it is just what a little girl wants. My Nana & Hank gave it to me for Christmas.
May 5, 2010
My girls LOVED this book. It's full of little things that princesses do. It also has some pull-out activities they loved. Bonus: I think it's in the bargain aisle at Deseret Book right now!
October 17, 2013
a very short book telling girls the ideals and expressed desires of princesses and how they can become a princess.
July 29, 2012
My daughter loved this book when she was younger. Who wouldn't? It has everything in it to dress like a princess.
December 27, 2011
I love a good pop up book & really love one with the detailed intricate pictures this one has!
August 21, 2013
Cute, fun book all about the life of a princess - duties, lessons, clothing, etc.
July 3, 2008
this book is a fun book that is soposed to teach you how to be a princess.
May 31, 2013
Absolutely DELIGHTFUL!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews