Real Princesses: An Inside Look at the Royal Life - Hardcover

VALERIE WILDING is the author of several children's fiction books and of many short stories for children's magazines, radio and TV.  She currently lives in the south of England.

Grade 2–5—Readers who can't get enough of pink-and-purple princess books will be drawn to this title, which promises the real scoop on royal life. The author explains what it means to be a princess, different routes to becoming one, and what princesses do. She offers surprising stories and details about the lives of historical and contemporary figures from around the world, along with substantial information on Princess Diana. While diverse royal lifestyles, such as families living in quarters other than palaces, are mentioned, this book really plays into the media-hyped image of princesses. Much of it covers the stuff of movies and daydreams: designer dresses, gourmet food, jewelry, and weddings. This is done in a general way, implying that every princess lives in luxury, which contradicts earlier statements in the narrative. Nearly all of the drawings show skinny white people in sparkly, revealing outfits. Captioned photos appear throughout. A lack of clear headings, general organization, and tools such as maps and time lines may create frustration for those actually looking for information. Fictional sidebars and slang words, such as "bling," add to the informal feel of the text. Adequate for browsing; opt for specific biographies for focused information.—Amanda Moss, Maywood Elementary School, Monona, WI
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