Princess Complex

My 7 year old, like most girls her age, is obsessed with all things Disney Princess related. I am not one of those mothers that thinks she is going to suffer years of torment because she has a distorted view of reality. In fact...get real. Most of us loved those movies and the only ones suffering now are the ones who continue to make unwise choices (see how I said unwise instead of selfish and stupid? I am getting more tactful by the minute). However, because I was raised a strong woman and want my daughters to grow up to be strong women, I had to throw this jewel in the mix. So in the middle of reading about Ariel and Belle, we also read about Elizabeth. She had a wonderful life but unfortunately her castle was destroyed and her future hubby Prince Ronald was prince napped by a fire breathing dragon. Elizabeth, being the fierce, independent woman she is, throws on a paper bag, the only thing that was not burned to a crisp, and heads off to save old Ronald. Jump to the end of the story and you find why I adore this book and will read it to both my girls until they know it by heart. She braves the dragon to free the prince who in turn berates her for wearing a paper bag and not being up to his princess standards. The book ends with this fabulous paragraph:

“Ronald,” said Elizabeth, “your clothes are really pretty and your hair is very neat. You look like a real prince, but you are a bum.” They didn't get married after all.

Love it.  The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch