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Description
Originally published in 1980, The Paper Bag Princess tells the tale of a quick-witted princess who outsmarts a fire-breathing dragon to rescue the prince she was supposed to marry. This 25th-anniversary edition reprints the beloved story in a larger format, adding more than thirty pages of never-before-published sketches, drafts, and anecdotes about author Robert Munch and illustrator Michael Martchenko. The extra material offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the book was created and the challenges it faced on its way to publication. Together, the classic adventure and the insider perspective give readers both the original tale and a rare glimpse into its creative origins.
Quick Summary
The original Paper Bag Princess story is already a beloved classic that flips fairy tale expectations on their head Elizabeth outsmarts the dragon herself, then tells off the prince when he criticizes her for being dirty. This anniversary edition takes everything up a notch by including over 30 pages of behind-the-scenes content, showing how Robert Munsch came up with the story, fun details about the illustrations, and the real impact this book has had on kids and parents over the past 25 years. It's a hit with kids who already love the story and want to know more about how it was made, and it's especially great for young aspiring writers who are curious about the creative process. The main story is perfect for kids who enjoy humor, strong characters, and stories that don't follow the usual fairy tale formula, and there's nothing scary just a dragon that breathes a little fire and some genuinely funny moments. Parents will appreciate that it quietly teaches kids they don't need to change who they are to make someone else happy, without being preachy about it. If your kid devours this anniversary edition, they'd probably also enjoy other Robert Munsch books like Thomas' Snowsuit or Mortimer, which have that same playful, slightly irreverent energy.