Book Review of Princess Fusspot
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Magic, breaking the rules, being different.
In this delightful and funny middle grade novel, readers will be introduced to a heroine who is unconventional, determined, sassy, and very self-confident— everything a real princess should be!
Princess Francesca does not behave like a Fusspot Princess should behave. She doesn’t like straight lines, lessons, sparkly jewels, or wearing dresses. But she does enjoy making friends with animals, laughing, climbing trees, and asking questions. Top of her question list is this one: why should we follow stupid rules made up by our Fusspot ancestors hundreds of years ago?
Her kingdom is founded on the Fusspot Rules, but Francesca can’t help noticing they spoil all her fun. Things come to a head when her mother, the Queen, forbids her to go near the Forbidden Tower. Of course, finding the tower goes straight to the top of Francesca’s to-do list—and when she finds it, she realizes it’s not just her happiness the Fusspot Rules are destroying. Francesca makes a daring plan—she will return happiness to her kingdom, no matter what the rules say!
This fresh take on the tomboy princess trope is a gentle reminder that sometimes, breaking the rules is the right thing to do, encouraging readers to have the courage to think for themselves. Short chapters and simple text make it a perfect introduction to the chapter-book format for young readers. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity—the extensive use of puns, nonsense humor, and language play make it enjoyable and engaging. At the same time, energetic black-and-white line drawings bring the Princess’s quirky antics to life, adding an extra layer of fun and accessibility.
Whether picked up for pleasure reading or as the basis for deeper conversations about independence and courage, this is a book middle-grade readers are sure to enjoy.
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About the Author
Nancy Kunhardt Lodge has a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Renaissance Art History. She taught at Tufts, Boston, and American Universities. She has written scholarly articles and delivered papers at Renaissance conferences in Italy and the U.S., among them the Frick Collection of Art, the Corcoran Museum of Art, and the Smithsonian Resident Associates Program. She is a member of SCBWI, and the College Art Association. She has written two books in a series about Lucy Nightingale’s dare devil adventures. Dr. Lodge is the granddaughter of Dorothy Kunhardt, author of the children’s classic, Pat the Bunny. She lives in the West Newbury, MA. area with her husband and two Corgis, Wilbur and Charlotte.
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