The Ugly Princess and the Wise Fool

by Margaret Gray

Book Overview

Can a seafaring fairy godmother, a wise fool, and an enchanted hairstyle keep Princess Rose out of trouble? "A very long time ago, when all the countries you've ever heard of were in different places on the map, a princess was born who was not beautiful. She wasn't even remotely pretty, and the whole kingdom was in deep shock about it." Princess Rose doesn't get any prettier as she grows up, but the kingdom does get over its shock. Everyone adores...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805068473
• ISBN13: 9780805068474
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Princesses should Be Beautiful?

This is a wonderful book for princesses of all ages. I enjoyed reading every word and only wish I had a ten-year-old to read it to.

Huckleberry Jam-tastic!

This deliciously wry fairy tale is a tasty treat for readers from 6 to 106. This is no "leathery pastry with a fibrous middle," no mere chest protector for snoozing fools, but a first-class rip-roaring read, bursting with insight and good humor. As unpretentious as a buck-toothed, skinned-knee, ugly third princess, but likely to rise slyly into poetry at any moment. Where day is "pale and unconvincing night," and lightning-bolt pompadours lick the ceiling, and clam-digging godmothers know what's best. Only a foolish fool indeed would miss this one!

Hilarious and heartwarming

This book is a rare find -- a fairy tale as appealing to adults as it is to kids. Lessons about the superficiality of beauty are couched in a hilarious story that never talks down and always works on multiple levels. This book doesn't deny the appeal of beauty; but it does ask the question, Are the rewards brought by beauty really the rewards that lead to happiness? A spectacular book, suitable for much more than the recommended ages. I look forward to reading more by this talented author, who might well be the tartest children's writer since Roald Dahl.

A modern classic!

This wonderful book is an extremely clever and delightfully witty reinvention of a classic fairy tale. Younger readers will love the whimsical and exciting tale of Pricess Rose and her hilarious adventures; older readers will also appreciate the perceptiveness and insight that informs the underlying moral of this story. I think this has the makings of a modern classic! I loved this book!

Great book for all ages

I love all original fairy tales, and this one is great! It is cute, with a spunky heroine, who is not perfect in either body or personality, but is for the most part a good person. It also has some traditional fairy tale themes such as a fairy godmother and a handsome prince. All in all this is a good book to read for any girl who thinks she sould be more beautiful.The third princess is always the most beautiful, with two lovely, but mean sisters, and must over come many obsiticals to marry prince charming and find true love. But what happens when the third princess is not beautiful, or even atractive. Princess Rose faces this delema, although she didn't even think of it as so before the amazing Prince Parseley comes looking for a beautiful wife. With out thinking of the consecuances Rose wishes to be the most beautiful princess ever, and she gets her wish. Is this Rose's destiny to marry prince Parseley, or to stay the nice, but plain Rose.