Princess Smartypants

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Choose one of the challenges that a prince was set. Write about it in more detail to explain what happened to the prince. Are there any unfamiliar words in the story (e.g. suitor, accomplish, vertigo)? Can you find out what they mean? Could you explain their meanings to somebody else? Heroes in stories will set out to accomplish one of the following 10 things. Here, of course, we have a story about number five: Some of her friends, however, have decided to marry their fairytale princes and Princess Smartypants has agreed to host a party for them. When the princes fail to turn up, the Princess sets off with her best friend, Eric the Anihilator, to find and rescue the missing princes.

Princess Smartypants does not want to get married because she likes being a Ms. She wants to live her own life. Her parents want her to get married. She outwits her suitors and lives happily ever after because she doesn't get married. This [narrative] isn’t just saying that women don’t have to marry, it’s saying that women can humiliate men, force them to work, then don’t marry them. In fact, Princess Smartypants can only live happily ever after when she has rid herself of essentially all men (who are, needless to say, intimidated by her transfiguring osculations). Just like all women! We females can only be free once men have become the toads they are at heart! Princess Smartypants is rebellious, independent, and very happy being single - but her parents want her to get married and settle down! This hilarious picture book has a subversive protagonist and a strong message about choosing your own destiny.

I LOVE this book! What other book for kids says that girls don't have to get married and can have a complete and happy life without Prince Charming? This hilarious picture book with its wonderfully subversive protagonist sends a strong message to young readers about the importance being in control of one’s own destiny. Vibrant watercolour illustrations are full of energy and contain a wealth of witty detail which children will adore.

Most of all, we have a lot of fun. And when we’re done with Princess Smartypants, we move on to Prince Cinders, a pretty weedy-looking royal specimen. Not only is it funny and cute, it teaches children that no matter what, they don't have to compromise their boundaries and they don't have to conform to society's expectations." (From a 5-star review)This book oozes personality and with so much going on it promises to maintain the attention of young readers for hours at a time I loved this book as it is about a princess that unlike many girls is not bothered about her title, fame or fortune. This princess doesn't want to be a queen: She likes her motorcycle, her dragon friends, and her independence! In this feminist reworking of a classic fairy-tale theme, Princess Smartypants defies her parents' wishes, outwits her suitors, and remains a content and single young lady. The text and illustrations are full of humour.

Four complete English units of work designed for Year 1 but easily adaptable for Reception or Year 2. Includes lesson powerpoints, differentiated resources and planning documents. We've put together a list of lovely picture books about princes and princesses. But get ready for some twists on the classics - these might not be the royals that you're used to... When we reach the part where the princess - who has some incredibly extreme hobbies - sets her potential husbands a series of tasks, we come up with ideas to help the poor princes who are keen to win Smartypants’ hand in marriage. We then compile these suggestions in a handbook called “How to Help a Prince”.

The names of the male characters are derogatory, and when a prince does complete her list of complex tasks, instead of marrying him as promised, she turns him into a frog. What I liked about this story is that it was very unique and not conventional. It depicts a princess in a manner that is not common in pupils’ eyes. When children think of a princess they like to think about someone beautiful and graceful and kind, this princess is none of those things. Babette Cole has been very creative in using humour in this story, e.g. the names of the princes and the name of the princess. Princess Smartypants is rebellious, fiercely independent and perfectly happy to be single. Clad in dungarees and muddy wellies, she loves caring for her menagerie of unusual pets, including a selection of giant slugs, snails, spiders and dragons. Frustratingly, suitors are forever turning up to win her hand and she is under constant pressure from her parents to smarten up and settle down. Lesson 2 - Introduce adjectives. Use ‘role on the wall’ to build vocabulary to describe the main character - focus on appearance. great sense of humor and a beautiful message about being yourself and standing up for what you believe is right." (From a 5-star revew)