The language throughout is ordinary and direct, no subtlety here, but how wonderful and memorable, e.g. It has survived and thrived, growing a reputation for courage and plain dealing. Strong words but this little story manages to bear the weight. She asks how to parent daughters while living through a backslide into cronyism, pettiness and institutionalized misogyny? She says, begin with ‘The Paper Bag Princess’ where Elizabeth’s adventures teach how to adventure and be fearless, to walk away from any man who treats you with disrespect. This edition includes some welcome bonus content: a note to readers from Chelsea Clinton who says: it is critical that children grow up defeating their own dragons, and an article, ‘Stand up to Dragons’ by Francesca Segal who puts the story in a modern context.

This story has resonated with and inspired children for decades. The fierce dragon is nattily attired in a dinner napkin when he first appears, but he soon loses that when Elizabeth starts to set him challenges. Ronald is the very picture of bored haughty young manhood while Elizabeth gazes at him adoringly in her beautiful princess gown. It gives character and expression to the three protagonists and somehow manages to be both modern and at the same time medieval. The artwork of Michael Martchenko is witty and descriptive. Prince Ronald instead of being properly grateful, reprimands her for not looking like a real princess and in disgust, in a very memorable image, Elizabeth joyfully skips off into the sunset to face her future on her own, still dressed in the paper bag.

Princess Elizabeth rescues her fiancé, Prince Ronald from a dragon through her bravery and cleverness while wearing only a paper bag as the dragon has devastated the countryside and burned her clothes. This is the handsome 40 th anniversary edition of a book that became an instant classic. Canadian author (formerly American) Robert Munsch has been writing for over forty years and is well known for his stories and poems.

The paperbag princess