Book Review
The Paper Bag Princess
Read if you're interested in relationships, parenting, or books for child.
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6.5
VerdictRead with discernment
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Book Summary
Princess Elizabeth, after her castle is destroyed and her prince, Ronald, is kidnapped by a dragon, dons a paper bag and sets out to rescue him. Upon her success, she finds Ronald ungrateful and judgmental of her appearance.
What it does well
- — Promotes critical thinking about superficiality and societal expectations of beauty and status.
- — Empowers the protagonist to be resourceful and take action, rather than passively waiting for rescue.
- — Challenges the traditional 'damsel in distress' trope, offering a good discussion point for children about gender roles and agency.
Watch for
- — The ending's rejection of the prince, while perhaps deserved from a worldly perspective, could be seen as not promoting reconciliation or forgiveness, which are core Christian tenets (though it also highlights self-respect).
- — Some interpretations might view Princess Elizabeth's independence as bordering on pride or a lack of humility, though this is not explicitly emphasized.
- — The dragon is depicted as a typical antagonist without any deeper moral lesson regarding good and evil beyond its actions.
Verdict
Christian parents and educators can use this book as a springboard for discussions on true love (which values character over appearance), self-worth (rooted in God's love, not societal standards), forgiveness, and challenging worldly values that often prioritize superficiality. It’s a good tool for teaching discernment.
ALIGNMYREAD RECOMMENDATION
“Christian parents and educators can use this book as a springboard for discussions on true love (which values character over appearance), self-worth (rooted in God's love, not societal standards), forgiveness, and challenging worldly values that often prioritize superficiality. It’s a good tool for teaching discernment.”
Biblical alignment
- —Promotes critical thinking about superficiality and societal expectations of beauty and status.
- —Empowers the protagonist to be resourceful and take action, rather than passively waiting for rescue.
- —Challenges the traditional 'damsel in distress' trope, offering a good discussion point for children about gender roles and agency.
- —Highlights the importance of character and inner worth over external appearances.
Areas of concern
- —The ending's rejection of the prince, while perhaps deserved from a worldly perspective, could be seen as not promoting reconciliation or forgiveness, which are core Christian tenets (though it also highlights self-respect).
- —Some interpretations might view Princess Elizabeth's independence as bordering on pride or a lack of humility, though this is not explicitly emphasized.
- —The dragon is depicted as a typical antagonist without any deeper moral lesson regarding good and evil beyond its actions.
Discussion
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