Will Princess Isabel Ever Say Please?

PreS-K—Practically perfect Princess Isabel has but one flaw: she refuses to say please. On three separate occasions, this failing prevents her from getting a prince and living happily ever. Readers will be thrilled to see that these three instances are how Princess Isabel's story intersects with "Cinderella," "Snow White," and "The Frog Prince." Finally, Isabel learns the importance of saying the magic word and is rewarded with a princely, "Will you marry me?" Metzger does a good job of subtly teaching the concept of "humility and fine manners" without bashing readers over the head with it. Some of the humor will appeal to adults; for example, the Queen disguises herself as "a poor old woman with a strong resemblance to Groucho Marx." Haley's colored pencil and paint cartoon illustrations are filled with whimsy and will have princess aficionados wishing they could wear Isabel's crown, jewels, and dresses.—Lora Van Marel, Orland Park Public Library, IL