The Paper Bag Princess: A Timeless Treasure
There are days when the chaos of parenting feels overwhelming—like when I’ve just said "no" to yet another snack request, or when bedtime is stretching into a small eternity. It’s in those moments, right before the kids finally settle down, that a good book can work wonders. That’s where The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch comes in, a steadfast favorite from my own childhood that I couldn’t wait to share with my little ones.
This gem has captured my heart since I was young. I could recite the story by heart. Princess Elizabeth starts off as your typical fairytale heroine, living in a magnificent castle and engaged to the dashing Prince Ronald. But when a sneaky dragon swoops in, carrying away Ronald and leaving Elizabeth with nothing but a paper bag to wear, the adventure truly begins. What’s so inviting about this story is Elizabeth’s fierce independence and cleverness—qualities that I find myself constantly nurturing in my own daughters.
As we delved into the pages, I watched my kids’ eyes widen with every twist and turn. They were captivated not just by the content but also by Elizabeth’s witty banter with the dragon. My youngest interjected with squeals of laughter when she bravely outsmarts the beast, and my oldest cheered her on, proclaiming, “She’s just like me, Mom!” It was incredibly rewarding to see them connecting with Elizabeth’s spirit of resilience and her refusal to conform to what others expect of her.
Now, let’s talk about the illustrations. While Munsch’s storytelling prowess still shines, I found myself reminiscing about how the art used to capture my imagination more than it does now. The charm is still there, of course, and I couldn’t help but smile at the quirky, exaggerated expressions that somehow made every scene more animated. One illustration after another had my kids buzzing with excitement, and they couldn’t get enough of the line where Elizabeth confronts the dragon—“Hey, Dragon!”
One of my favorite moments was when my five-year-old pointed to the page where Elizabeth bravely edges closer to the dragon. She declared, "She’s a superhero!" Hearing this nearly brought tears to my eyes. It was a moment of validation that the messages from the pages were resonating with her—courage, smarts, and standing up for oneself are powerful lessons we hope to instill as parents.
As we reached the end, I reminded myself of the impact this book had on me growing up. It shaped who I am today—an unapologetically spirited woman who believes in herself and values intelligence over conventional beauty.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Paper Bag Princess to parents of little ones aged 3-8, especially those looking for empowering narratives! This book isn’t just a one-time read; it’s a family favorite that belongs on every bookshelf. I’m grateful to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for allowing me to revisit this piece of my childhood. It’s a heartwarming reminder that storytelling has the power to shape not just our lives, but those of future generations. Five stars, with a wish for more.
If you haven’t picked it up yet, go ahead; gather your little ones and dive into this delightful adventure. Who knows? You might hear their own version of “Hey, Dragon!” echoing in your home before bedtime. ✨📚
Check out The Paper Bag Princess on Goodreads >>
