📖 Overview
Princess Amanita lives in a castle and loves dangerous things - from her collection of spike-covered boots to her garden of carnivorous plants. When Prince Florian arrives with a gift of pink roses, she finds them boring compared to her usual interests.
The princess requests rose seeds from Prince Florian but receives something unexpected, leading to chaos in her garden. She must figure out how to handle the situation while staying true to her unique personality and preferences.
The story presents themes about being yourself, accepting others' differences, and finding creative solutions to problems. Through whimsical illustrations and text, it challenges traditional princess stereotypes while celebrating individuality.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this as a refreshing twist on princess stories, featuring a protagonist who prefers thorns and danger over traditional princess interests. Parents note it works well for children who don't fit typical gender expectations.
Liked:
- Unique art style with detailed illustrations
- Message about staying true to yourself
- Humor that appeals to both children and adults
- Strong female character who isn't focused on romance
- Educational elements about gardens and plants
Disliked:
- Some found it too scary for very young children
- A few readers felt the story moved slowly in the middle
- Price point considered high for length
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.0/5 (431 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (46 ratings)
Several teachers mentioned using it successfully in classrooms to discuss being different. Multiple reviewers specifically praised the "spiky" artistic style matching the story's themes. One parent noted: "Perfect for my daughter who prefers snakes to dolls."
📚 Similar books
Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont
A princess learns to recognize inner worth in a beast who lacks external beauty.
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale A princess takes control of her fate and uses her long braids as weapons to right wrongs in the kingdom.
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole A princess defies expectations by choosing independence and turning suitors into toads.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen Princesses engage in activities from sports to science while breaking traditional royal stereotypes.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch A princess rescues a prince while wearing a paper bag and discovers her own strength.
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale A princess takes control of her fate and uses her long braids as weapons to right wrongs in the kingdom.
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole A princess defies expectations by choosing independence and turning suitors into toads.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen Princesses engage in activities from sports to science while breaking traditional royal stereotypes.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch A princess rescues a prince while wearing a paper bag and discovers her own strength.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌺 Princess Amanita, the story's main character, loves dangerous flowers like nettles and thorns - quite different from typical fairytale princesses who prefer roses and daisies.
🏰 Author Dashka Slater was inspired to write this unconventional princess tale after noticing how many young girls were obsessed with traditional princess stories.
🌱 The book subtly teaches botanical concepts, showing how plants grow from seeds and require specific conditions to thrive.
💫 The illustrator, Valeria Docampo, created the artwork using rich, dark colors and Gothic elements to match the story's uniquely spiky heroine.
👑 The story turns classic princess tropes upside down by featuring a protagonist who prefers snakes to kittens and finds ordinary flowers "boring and delicate."