LitPick Review
Queen Gabrielle is lonely. She had lived with many nieces and nephews before she became queen, so she loves children. She wants a child very badly. King Bartholomew loves Gabrielle and wants her to be happy. He goes in search for the perfect child to join his wife in the palace and keep her company. After several mishaps with naughty children, he finds Olive.
Olive lives with her mother and is a well-mannered child. Her father died at sea when she was very young. Olive comes to the palace every week to visit with the king and queen. She learns to love the king and queen like her parents; they even throw a birthday party for her! After many years the king and queen joyfully announce that they will have a child of their own. Will they need Olive, the “pretend princess,” anymore? She loves them so much! What will happen to her if they don’t?
Opinion:
Pretend Princess is a beautiful story about a sweet girl and her adopted family. Readers will love the many jokes and funny plot twists, such as a birthday party that goes horribly wrong. Mary Mager has created a heart-touching story that will make you laugh, cry, and smile. The characters are wonderfully described and touch the heart. “She [Olive] regarded Bartholomew with solemn blue eyes.” The book’s language and content are perfect for most elementary students.
