Review by Booklist Review
When Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Sleeping Beauty become fed up with their fairy-tale woes, they agree to switch places with each other only to discover that the glass slipper isn't always comfier than a lonely high tower, for one thing. Although the story, told in verse, has a clever message, the rhyming text is occasionally clunky and awkward. Some little ones less familiar with the original fairy tales might also be puzzled by the mixed-up time line. Still, Clarkson should be praised for writing strong-minded princesses who each truly made her own fairy tale ending. The brightly colored illustrations are full of bold lines, stylish figures, and typical fairy-tale elements, such as looping roads, elaborate dresses, and curling locks. Rapunzel's hair, in particular, seems to take on a life of its own. Eagle-eyed kiddos will be tickled by humorous details in the background. Fractured fairy tales and fairy-tale retellings are plentiful, but this one has a heartfelt conclusion: you can be in charge of your own happy ending.--Linsenmeyer, Erin Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-In this rhyming story, Clarkson cleverly mixes and matches fairy-tale princesses into one another's tales, then reblends for truly happy endings. Fed up with housework, Snow White ditches the dwarves for Rapunzel's peaceful tower. Rapunzel is delighted to take over ball festivities for an exhausted Cinderella. Cinderella gladly curls up in Sleeping Beauty's cozy bed so the latter can find purpose socializing with the dwarves. Each girl finds a flaw in the new position, so she returns home after negotiating improvements. The dwarves help with chores, and Cinderella goes to college. Barrager's digital cartoons are wide-eyed and flat, colorful and funny. Fairy-tale fans will savor this practical take on familiar stories.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Rapunzel is lonely in her tower; Snow White is tired of her seven housemates' sloppiness; Cinderella wants to get some sleep; and Sleeping Beauty wants to wake up. This fractured fairy tale enjoins humor to encourage girls to seek out new adventures and solve their own problems. Vibrant, spunky illustrations bring a hip feel to the rhyming text. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
It rhymes. It has cute crossovers. It has doe-eyed princesses who are unhappy with their lots. Snow White is tired of cleaning up after seven dwarves, so she takes a walk and discovers the lonely tower of Rapunzel. Rapunzel is all too thrilled to get out, and Snow White wants to be alone, so they switch places. Trailing her impossibly long, blonde locks behind her, Rapunzel meets up with Cinderella, who would rather sleep than go to a ball. Leaving the pumpkin coach to Rapunzel, Cinderella finds Sleeping Beauty's bed and keels over into it, accidentally kissing the slumberer on the cheek, which wakens her. Bringing the story full circle, the no-longer-sleeping Beauty comes upon the dwarves' house, where there is Stuff! To! Do! In the end, of course, the princesses sort themselves back out, with Lessons: Snow White gives each dwarf a chore; Rapunzel negotiates a day trip each week; Cinderella opts for college over a prince; and Beauty discovers knitting is less prickly than spinning. Bright colors, strong line, and clearly differentiated hairstyles and clothing do not quite make up for something of a clunker at the end: "So, by talking things through and her problems amending, / each girl truly made her own fairy tale ending." It's a promising concept but a pallid conclusion. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
