THE REAL PRINCESS

A fleshed-out “Princess and the Pea” gives readers an opportunity to practice their counting skills. This time three princes, Primo, Secundo and Terzo, are searching for mates. Their castle employs one butler, two footmen, three maids and so on. There are also two counting houses, holding the three bags of gold that will go to the sons upon their marriages, and the queen’s secret stash of nine special peas. Terzo and Secundo quickly find brides, and while they don’t pass the pea-under-the-mattress test, it’s OK because they are not in line for the throne. Luckily Primo’s choice passes. And those peas? They do more than simply disturb the sleep of princesses—there’s a second ending devoted entirely to them. Fatus’s acrylics are cartoon fun with details galore, including collaged papers that add texture. She peoples her illustrations with round-headed, pointy-nosed, skinny-limbed royalty whose smiles seem permanent. While the lengthy text does not quite match the skill-level being highlighted, this is still a fun take on an old classic. (Picture book. 3-8)