Book Review:  The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party

By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale

                The Princess in Black series by Shannon and Dean Hale are fun, short chapter books for younger readers.  The stories are chiefly about Princess Magnolia, who is “a prim and perfect” princess.  But Princess Magnolia has a secret. 

                Princess Magnolia has another identity.  When monsters from Monster Land enter her realm, Princess Magnolia becomes the Princess in Black.  She is the daring defender of the kingdom, along with her trusty steed Blacky.  The monsters enter this land mainly in search of goats to eat.  They are big and typically loud.  The illustrated fight scenes are punctuated with interjections.

                These short chapter books are fun and light-hearted.  There is a good mix of simpler and more challenging words.  The sentences are varied in type, giving ample opportunity to practice reading different types of sentences. The print is large and the pages are vibrantly illustrated.  They’re great books for building reading confidence, while providing an entertaining story.

                My daughter recommends that The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party be given as a birthday present “because it’s Princess Magnolia’s birthday.  And it’s very silly.”

                It truly is an enjoyable series that is perfect for the frilliest, pink dress wearing young princesses, who also enjoy being ninjas.