Throwback Thursday: The Paper Bag Princess

Throwback Thursday is a new feature at Reading Lark. We'll still be doing some Book Boyfriend Posts and Book BFF Posts on Thursdays as well, but the Larks wanted a little variety on Thursdays. Throwback Thursday will allow us to throwback to some of the reads we've loved -- whether it's a book reviewed last year, a book we hid under the covers to read as a teen, or a picture book from our childhood -- we hope you'll enjoy reliving the memories as much as we do!

The Paper Bag Princess

By: Robert Munsch

Illustrated By: Michael Martchenko

Publication Date: 1980

Based on the title, you probably thought this was going to be a Throwback Thursday post.  But it’s not.  I actually never read The Paper Bag Princess as a child; in fact, I didn’t come across it until I was in my mid-20s.  Everything I love about this book has to do with the titular character, Princess Elizabeth.  She would make an excellent best friend.  She’s loyal.   A dragon kidnapped the prince she was supposed to marry, so she sets out to rescue him.  She’s practical and has her priorities straight.  The dragon burns her clothes, so she just wears a paper bag in the meantime because, you know, she’s got that rescuing to do.  She’s brave and smart.  Elizabeth tracks the dragon and outwits him to rescue the prince.  Best of all, Elizabeth has a strong sense of self-worth.  When the prince doesn’t want to marry her anymore because she’s dressed in a sack and covered with ash, Elizabeth tells him off and happily walks away.  Oh yeah, she’d make an awesome best friend!

Goodreads

The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth finds the dragon, outsmarts him, and rescues Ronald--who is less than pleased at her un-princess-like appearance.