The Princess Files by Valerie Wilding

September 2007, Oxford University Press

64 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Non-fiction, children's, 8-12 years, 

Princesses - education, transport, marriage, homes, jobs, dresses, jewellery, duty, 

Summary from Oxford University Press

The low-down on real-life princesses past and present - their clothes, their homes, their families - and their fates!

Everyone knows about the princesses in fairy tales. But this book tells us all about real princesses, and answers all the questions we might have about them: What is a princess? Do they all become queens? Are they all rich? How are they educated? What do they wear? Is it all fun being a princess? It cites examples from history and present day including the most famous of recent times, Diana.

Nayuleska's Thoughts

I have never outgrown my fascination with princesses. Admittedly most of my knowledge comes from movies.  That knowledge is often a grain of truth and lots of fiction. Valerie explores every aspect of a princess's life, weeding out the fiction from the facts. There is a lot of fun to being a princess (lots of gorgeous dresses and sparkly jewels), but there are down sides too. Each topic covered is on a two-page spread, with a pastel blue/pink/purple theme. There are lots of photos of princesses (mostly real, a few fake), opening up the eyes of the reader that not every princess can live safely in her own country. I had no idea how many princesses there were in the world (no specific number that I can remember, I just didn't think about the ones in exile). Many of us dream of being princesses, but I'm very glad that I'm normal and can daydream :) 

Final Conclusion

Everything girls would ever want and ever need to know about princesses. 

Other princess related books: 

Princesses Are Not Perfect by Kate Lum and Sue Hellard

Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt