8.8 /10 1 Votes8.8
4.5/5 Language English Pages 32 | 4.3/5 Publication date 1980 Originally published 1 May 1980 Page count 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Genres Fiction, Children's literature Similar Robert Munsch books, Adaptation books, Children's literature |
The Paper Bag Princess is a children's book written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. It was first published on 1 May 1980 by Annick Press. The story reverses the princess and dragon stereotype. As a result, it has won critical acclaim from feminists, including an endorsement from the National Organization for Women, which sells the book on its website.
Contents
Plot
Princess Elizabeth plans on marrying Prince Ronald, who is practically perfect. However, a dragon arrives who destroys her castle, kidnaps Ronald, and burns all her clothes, so she must look for something to wear, and her only option is a paper bag. Elizabeth follows the dragon and Ronald, and seeking to rescue her fiancé, challenges the dragon to burn forests with fire and to fly around the world. The dragon completes the tasks but after flying around the world a second time becomes tired and falls asleep. Elizabeth rescues Ronald, who is ungrateful and tells her to return when she looks more like a princess. Elizabeth calls Ronald out for his ungratefulness and goes dancing off into the sunset.
Characters
Editions
In some editions, the book's ending has been edited slightly for global audiences with Elizabeth's insult for Ronald, "bum", being changed to "toad."
The Paper Bag Princess 25th Anniversary Edition: The Story Behind the Story (2005), a full-color hardback, reveals the inspiration behind the book. It features an interview and behind-the scenes with the author, and offers a look at the book's impact around the world.
The book was also adapted into a cartoon, as part of the animated series Bunch of Munsch.