Munsch, Robert. THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS. Illustrated by Michael Martchenko. Toronto: Annick Press, 1980. ISBN 0920236162.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Prince Ronald and Princess Elizabeth plan to get married until one day a dragon burns up the kingdom and carries off Prince Ronald. In a twist of stereotypes, Elizabeth dons a paper bag after her clothes are all burned up, and goes to rescue Ronald from the dragon. In the process of outsmarting the dragon in order to save her prince, Elizabeth discovers that Ronald is not her idea of a good partner after all in a surprise ending that turns the traditional happily-ever-after fairy tale on its head.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story is set in the typical fairy tale format, except for the role reversals. The wit and wisdom demonstrated by Elizabeth is refreshing for an original fairy tale. The ending is surprising and delightful, especially for the older reader (middle school and high school readers love this story when done as a read-aloud), and I must admit that this is one my favorite picture books of all time. Girls will definitely enjoy the princess being the heroine this time, and the boys will like it because the twist in the story will make them laugh almost every time while vowing they would never behave as Ronald does.
The illustrations are colorful and simple, but they support the story very nicely with characters who are engaging and full of expression and personality. The dragon is particularly delightful, especially as Elizabeth begins working her magic on him. The reader can almost begin to feel sympathy for him.
While this book was published in Canada, the story has no cultural markers that indicate it is an international story. Because the format is the fairy tale, the setting is in the time of dragons and castles. The setting and names are generic, perhaps leaning toward British royalty. But most children are so familiar with the “Once upon a time . . . . and they lived happily ever after” story, this story will be a new favorite to add to their collection.
4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
*School Library Journal: “A wonderful translation of the story of a princess who rescues the prince, tricking and vanquishing the dragon. The book features humorous illustrations of the dragon and other characters, including a very clever heroine.”
*BookHive: “Witty illustrations and a flowing storyline create a funny tale with a great message.”
5. CONNECTIONS
• This story is a great example for students to use as a model for writing their own fairy tales.
• Students can compare this story to fractured fairy tales in order to see how authors such as Munsch and Jon Scieszka infuse humor into the traditional format, again to use as a model or just to enjoy the twist on the traditional tale.
• THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS would be an excellent text for students to use to try their hand at writing a Reader’s Theater script and then performing it. With the characters limited to three, and most of the dialogue being between Elizabeth and the dragon, the story could easily be scripted and performed by a group of 5 or 6, depending on how groups divide up the narrator parts.
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