The princess who had almost everything

In this French import, a princess' parents do everything to make their daughter happy. But Alicia keeps on yelling, I'M BORED!   Not a new castle, a maze in the garden, nor frothy confections make her happy. When she decides she wants a prince, her parents promise her hand in marriage to anyone who can keep their daughter from tedium. A host of suitors arrive, but only one a prince who arrives with a huge box of paper accomplishes the task. The prince challenges Alicia to create something; she does and is never again bored. The final illustration shows silhouetted characters prince, princess, and their children in origami. Dramatic angular illustrations in an earth-tone palette let the viewer see the world from contrasting perspectives, which creates visual interest. The message of the importance of creativity comes through loud and clear.--Austin, Patricia Copyright 2008 Booklist

K-Gr 3-Spoiled Princess Alicia constantly yells out the same refrain, "I'm bored!" Nothing pleases her-not the wondrous garden maze commissioned by the king and queen, not a table full of frothy desserts, not even a specially designed, fully automated "princess-washer" bathtub. She finally decides that she wants a prince, but all the candidates bore her except for one. Prince Connor brings a big box filled with sheets of paper, and, after folding an origami house, invites her to make something herself. Her creative streak unleashed, the princess finally finds an interest, and, in the years that follow, the two marry and live happily ever after. The clear message is that the simple things are often better than the fantastic. Large, painterly spreads depict the story's action from varied perspectives. The artist's rich palette consistently contrasts bold reds with landscape greens. An enjoyable but additional tale.-Linda M. Kenton, Pickleweed Public Library, San Rafael, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.