Book Review: The Princess in Black by Shannon + Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

The Princess in Black, book 1
Shannon & Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
9780763678883, paperback, Candlewick Press, Pub Date: 2014/2015

I know, I know, two posts two days in a row that reference a former post (the SAME former post) of mine. There should be some rule against it! But there’s not, and since I’ve just finished reading this book (from the library, no less! Yay Auckland library card!), here’s my review of one of the three books I mentioned in my Funny + Charming Books for Children Age 6-10 that I had not yet read:

An impressive trio of authors/illustrators creates an adorable, princess action hero? Shocker!

Just kidding, this series is off to a great start!

LeUyen Pham’s artwork is bright and engaging. Not too much detail where it’s not needed, but shows the intricacies of the princess’s outfits to perfection. Whether the child enjoying the book is into the pink or into the black-wearing hero or both, there’s plenty of action in the illustrations to keep their attention.

Shannon and Dean Hale are literary masters, in that they can tell an engaging story you probably (as a parent or adult with a child to read to) won’t mind reading over and over again. There’s enough action in the plot to keep the book interesting (A princess with a secret! Who will discover it? The nosy Duchess? The observant Goat Boy?) while also setting up some future escapades in the books to follow.

The second book in the series is The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party and is currently available in hardcover, while book #3 is The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde, coming out in February 2016.

Perfect to read out loud with ages 4 and up (basically as soon as they actually start sitting long enough to listen to something other than a simple book), or it works as an early chapter book for ages 7 and up who can handle that type of challenge.