Happy Book Birthday, The Really Rotten Princess and the Wonderful, Wicked Class Play by Lady Cecil Snodgrass

I'm feeling a bit more calm today. Yesterday, was the first day of the new school year, and that always feels like a bomb went off. But we survived, and now, things can shift into routine-gear. 

Today's read is being release today! That means it's right in time for the school year, which is great because it's for beginning readers. This princess already stars in a few books in the series, and she's off to new adventures and silly antics. I enjoy the humor and was more than happy to take a look at what she's up to now.

THE REALLY ROTTEN PRINCESS AND THE WONDERFUL, WICKED CLASS PLAY

Ready to Read, Level Two

by Lady Cecil Snodgrass

Illustrated Mike Lester

Simon Spotlight

Chapter Book

32 pages

ages 6 to 10

Princess Regina has something wicked waiting in the wings for the school play in this hilarious Level 2 Ready-to-Read story.

Miss Prunerot has big plans for this year’s class play. The princesses will be starring in The Wizard of Oz. Regina—the Really Rotten Princess—is cast as Glinda the Good Witch. At first it seems like the role might be rubbing off on Regina. She’s on her best behavior. But there may be more to her new attitude than meets the eye…

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MY TIDBITS

Eye-rolling attitude and a touch of wicked humor make this princess one like no other...and that's what readers will enjoy.

Princess Regina is tired of being Class President, which is great for everyone else until the teacher announces an upcoming play, and Regina sets her eyes on a new mission. Choosing which play is a difficult task but handing out roles works well. Sort of. When the teacher chooses Regina to be the good witch, there's no way everything will work out well.

This is the newest edition to an entire series surrounding the impossible Princess Regina. While this book does start out with her giving up her latest job as Class President, it's no problem to sink right into the pages. In other words, this one can be read as a stand alone. 

I'm going to start with the illustrations because they truly bring Princess Regina and the others to light in a way, which will have readers smiling, giggling and snorting right away. There's a rumpled flair to this class of princesses, as each one holds the sense of royalty but is, somehow, missing the last polish. None as badly as Regina, of course. The humor comes across smoothly just by flipping through these and taking a peek. So, they add to the tale and help beginning readers along, while giving them something to enjoy.

The text is short and effortless, while still holding a few more difficult vocabulary words, every now and then, to help readers along. While there is a tale, which is told, much of the text appears in dialogue bubbles above the characters' heads, which adds a nice, relaxed way to read, while encouraging even reluctant readers to continue on. 

Snark and attitude are huge, when it comes to Princess Regina, and readers will never know what to expect...well, nothing good. Her antics are silly and make the reading flow by effortlessly. There are several references, which I'm not sure all readers will get, but adults will and, if nothing else, it does open up to discussions and other possibilities.

It's a cute book, which packs quirky humor, and is sure to delight Princess Regina fans as well as new readers.

And here they are...

Lady Cecily Snodgrass has traveled to royal courts throughout Europe in a continuing quest for high-paying positions with absolutely no obligations or responsibilities. She is now taking her keen observations of the nobility and their atrocious child-rearing abilities and only thinly disguising them in her tales of the Really Rotten Princess. In her spare time she enjoys collecting the gold and silver dinnerware of her hosts.

Mike Lester is a children’s book writer, illustrator, cartoonist, and animator. His work has been recognized by notable publications such as The New York Times. A father of two, he lives with his wife, Regan, and their dog and cat in a castle with a moat full of unicorns.