THE PRINCESS WHO HAD ALMOST EVERYTHING

In this modern take on the fairy tale, a king and queen puzzle over what to do with a princess who has almost everything and is still bored. Princess Alicia’s parents “[love] her dearly and [do] everything they [can] to make her happy,” but nothing seems to make her happy. They build Alicia her own castle with a roller coaster. They give her a leafy maze with an electric train. The shoemaker designs fine shoes to tempt her. The royal bakers concoct lavish confections to please her—all to no avail. When she decides she wants a prince, heralds sweep the kingdom promising Alicia’s hand in marriage to the man who can keep her from being bored. All fail until Prince Connor presents her with a cardboard box filled with paper—and the invitation to use her imagination. Humorous, stylized illustrations in pretty pastels capture the scowling, frowning, wailing, grimacing, yelling Alicia in every stage of utter boredom amidst her perfect fairy-tale world. An enchanting lesson in the importance of simple gifts and self-entertainment. (Picture book. 4-7)