Prince Zucchini - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 2-An uninspired, fluffy retelling of a French tale. Cursed at birth with a nose "-like the biggest zucchini you ever saw," Prince Zucchini meets and hears stories only about people with oversized noses. When it comes time for him to marry, his chosen bride has a "-little nose that tilted up at the end," but he loves her just as she is, and after a series of events, they are wed. Philip's brisk narration reduces the story to a simple outline of plot, and bland characterization and a matter-of-fact tone keep readers from caring much about whether the prince can overcome the comical curse to reach his happy ending. Rooney's cartoon-style characters, bright colors, stylized backgrounds, and skewed perspectives give the illustrations a Disneyesque feel. All of the characters look alike, with the exception of Prince Zucchini, with his large, greenish nose. While the original tale, written in 1756, may have much to say to contemporary children about vanity, outward appearance, and inner worth, this version seems like a pale and distorted reflection of that story.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.