Ten Big Toes and a Prince's Nose 
by Nancy Gow, illustrated by Stephen Costanza Sterling, 2010
A prince and a princess think they will never find someone to marry. Their sadness is poignant as they suffer rejection and disappointment at the hands of others. His nose is too big and her feet are too long.
When the prince meets this princess on the ski slopes she does not know that the scarf wrapped around his face hides an overly large nose. He does not realize that her feet are actually ski length. Here are two kind people who have despaired at finding a kindred spirit. Their pleasure in their new friendship is a joyous thing. (One can only hope Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton share something similar.)
When the prince meets this princess on the ski slopes she does not know that the scarf wrapped around his face hides an overly large nose. He does not realize that her feet are actually ski length. Here are two kind people who have despaired at finding a kindred spirit. Their pleasure in their new friendship is a joyous thing. (One can only hope Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton share something similar.)
The prince was enthralled by the princess's smile, her beautiful voice and her princess-y style. The princess laughed hard at His Highness's wit. She enjoyed a good joke. The young prince was a hit!
Stephen Costanza uses a dreamy, fairytale palette on the page. His prince and princess are sympathetic and tender hearted. The characters are comedic but also have a bright, sweet, and romantic whimsy.
Not all fairy tales are about "the fairest in the land" in the traditional sense. These two are fair in spirit. This is a lovely tale.
3 comments:
We have gotten some of our most awesome books because of your recommendations. Thank you!
JMF - this is such a sweet book.
This does sound sweet. I just put in a request for it at my library and can't wait to read it with my boys.
Post a Comment