The Secret Lives of Princesses: Review and Giveaway



If your daughter loves princesses but you're sick of reading princess stories, here's a great book for you. I was given a review copy of The Secret Lives of Princesses (available now, June 2010!) and I loved it so much I asked them if we could run a giveaway for a copy of the book! We love this book and I know you will too. Keep reading to find out how to enter....

The Basics
The Secret Lives of Princesses (written by Philippe Lechermeier, illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer) is an encyclopedia-style storybook with information about some little-known princesses who are just as royal and magical as your classic fairytale princesses -- but a bit more, ah, shall we say, interesting. It also contains some fascinating details of princesses' lives, from how they travel to what kinds of pets they own, as well as tips and tricks for how to wake a sleeping princess, how to appease unhappy fairies ready to hand down curses and more.


Here's a brief description of the book:
Everyone knows about Cinderella, Snow White, and other princess favorites -- but others, equally magical (and sometimes, a lot funnier) have remained anonymous, enigmatic, and far from the fairy tale crowd. Now these captivating ladies are finally stepping out of the shadows where they've remained hidden for far too long. WIth imagination, sublime humour and beautiful art, The Secret Lives of Princesses introduces a bevy of new royal daughters to the court of young readers.

The Bongga
We are loving this book! It has kept all 3 kids amused and entertained for our bedtime story for several days now. Since the book is written encyclopedia style, it's easy to read a few pages, then stop and pick up the next day. Actually it's not that easy to stop because these princesses are so interesting, we always want to see what other kinds of princesses there are. Here are 3 of my favorites:

Princess Somnia, cousin to The Sleeping Beauty, who loves to laze around and sleep (my kind of princess)


Princess Anne Phibian, who kisses every frog she sees.


Princess Hot-Head, who would rather brandish a sword than an embroidery needle.

Each illustration in the book is so whimsical and delicate and beautiful, it's tempting to tear the pages out and frame them up on The Pea's bedroom wall. But I won't because it's such a humorous book; even grownups will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek wit. I love that the princesses in this book break the stereotype of the helpless, victimized princess who needs a prince to rescue her and bring about a happy ending. Yes, these princesses are kooky, but they're ultra-cool, and best of all they are confident in who they are and not afraid to revel in it. What a great girl-power message to pass on to the little princesses in our own lives!


The Blah
This book almost seems to be geared more towards adults than kids. It uses a lot of big words, idiomatic expressions and cultural references, so I found myself having to take more time than usual to explain to my kids what the book is saying. Not that that's a bad thing, but when you're reading this to younger children you may find yourself picking and choosing the passages you read out loud just because the rest are too complicated to bother explaining. Again, I guess it's not really a bad thing -- they can read it themselves when they're older and rediscover the book!


The Bottom Line
The Secret Lives of Princesses is a witty, beautifully illustrated collection It's the perfect book for any princess lover.... or princess hater!



Win a copy of this book
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a copy of The Secret Lives of Princesses.

Required Entry
Go to The Secret Lives of Princesses portrait gallery, then leave a comment on this post and tell me which princess in the gallery you would most like to be. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Grab my blog button and post it up on your blog (1 entry).

2) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates (1 entry).

3) Become a fan of Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

4) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Networked Blogs (1 entry).

5) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).

6) Write this on the Being a Princess Facebook Fan Page (1 entry):

I entered to win a copy of this wonderful book over on Bonggamom Finds! You can enter too at http://ow.ly/1T8Ys

7) Go to The Secret Lives of Princesses portrait gallery, then go to the Being a Princess Facebook Fan Page and write on their wall telling them which princess you would most like to be (1 entry).


8) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this daily (1 entry per day, leave a comment with the tweet link for each tweet):

Tired of pretty-in-pink princesses? Read "The Secret Lives of Princesses"! Win a copy at @bonggafinds http://ow.ly/1T8Ys #giveaway


The Rules
This giveaway ends at midnight PST on June 20, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on June 21 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!




Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book, and a second copy will be provided to the giveaway winner courtesy of the publisher. I was not paid to review the product or give my opinions. Unless clearly stated, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.

70 Comments, Leave yours here:

moushka on June 3, 2010 at 3:03 PM said... 1

In my younger years I was like Princess Meetu.

moushka on June 3, 2010 at 3:04 PM said... 2

Facebook Fan!

moushka on June 3, 2010 at 3:06 PM said... 3

Wrote on Being A Princess Facebook Page!

moushka on June 3, 2010 at 3:08 PM said... 4

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/mmoushka/status/15354699927

Shooting Stars Mag on June 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM said... 5

princess paige, definitely!

this looks super cute.

-lauren
lauren51990 at aol dot com

Shooting Stars Mag on June 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM said... 6

follow you on blogger

lauren51990 at aol dot com

LAMusing on June 3, 2010 at 9:20 PM said... 7

I'm Princess Oblivia :P

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing on June 3, 2010 at 9:22 PM said... 8

I subscribed!

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing on June 3, 2010 at 9:24 PM said... 9

I wrote on the Being a Princess Facebook Fan Page
(as AdrianeCoros)

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

thaeter7 on June 4, 2010 at 6:05 AM said... 10

I would be "Princess Anne Phibian!
rally_thade17@hotmail.com

Amber on June 4, 2010 at 7:18 AM said... 11

I would most like to be Princess Quartermoon
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber on June 4, 2010 at 7:19 AM said... 12

I follow your blog with google friend connect/blogger
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

mverno on June 4, 2010 at 2:43 PM said... 13

princess somnia i love to sleep
mverno@roadrunner.com

Katrina on June 4, 2010 at 5:10 PM said... 14

Princess Paige

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:42 PM said... 15

Im most like Princess Somnia. I love my sleep.

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:46 PM said... 16

I have your button.
http://cmsphotoblog.blogspot.com

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:47 PM said... 17

Subscribed to your updates.

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:50 PM said... 18

Im a fan of yours on facebook. (Chelsea Saulpaugh)

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:52 PM said... 19

Following you on Networked Blogs.
(Chelsea Saulpaugh)

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:55 PM said... 20

Following you on Blogger. (Chelsea S)

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 9:58 PM said... 21

I wrote on the Being a Princess facebook fan page.

http://www.facebook.com/beingaprincess#!/beingaprincess?v=wall&story_fbid=440612517904&ref=mf

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 10:01 PM said... 22

I wrote on Facebook's Being a Princess fan page about which princess I would most like to be.

http://www.facebook.com/beingaprincess#!/beingaprincess?v=wall&story_fbid=440613067904&ref=mf

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Chelsea S on June 4, 2010 at 10:05 PM said... 23

Following you on Twitter (@csaulpaugh89) and tweeted.
http://twitter.com/csaulpaugh89/status/15467560457

saulpaugh.chelsea(at)gmail(dot)com

Jackie on June 5, 2010 at 2:39 AM said... 24

I'd most like to be Princess Paige because I love books and I know Princess Paige would love this one:)

Jackie on June 5, 2010 at 2:47 AM said... 25

Posted on The secret Lives of princesses wall http://www.facebook.com/beingaprincess?ref=ts

Jackie on June 5, 2010 at 2:49 AM said... 26

Became a fan of Bonggamom finds on facebook http://www.facebook.com/beingaprincess?ref=ts#!/profile.php?id=100000443487231

Meg S on June 5, 2010 at 1:57 PM said... 27

Unfortunately, I'd probably be Princess Oblivia.

Meg S on June 5, 2010 at 1:58 PM said... 28

Subscriber!

Meg S on June 5, 2010 at 2:00 PM said... 29

Following on Blogger!

Heather VanTimmeren on June 5, 2010 at 8:31 PM said... 30

I would be Princess Paige - I've always been a bookworm.

histtheo1 at yahoo dot com

Heather VanTimmeren on June 5, 2010 at 8:33 PM said... 31

...and I'm a follower.

Clariline on June 6, 2010 at 7:06 AM said... 32

I am SOOO Princess DoReMi!!! I even once played the cello!
Please enter me in the giveaway!
Line

Clariline on June 6, 2010 at 7:11 AM said... 33

I now follow you on Blogger!
entry #2

Dolphin Girl on June 6, 2010 at 7:19 AM said... 34

I would be the sister of Princess Do RE Mi, princess Fa LA La

Dolphin Girl on June 6, 2010 at 7:20 AM said... 35

tweeted 6/6

http://twitter.com/kdolphins7/status/15558350635

Nicole C. on June 6, 2010 at 10:06 AM said... 36

I would like to be Princess Do-Re-Mi!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicole C. on June 6, 2010 at 10:06 AM said... 37

I follow on gfc.

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com on June 8, 2010 at 8:12 AM said... 38

Princess Somnia does sound like a lucky girl! I'd probably like to be her!!

Unknown on June 8, 2010 at 7:59 PM said... 39

I like Princess Oblivia.

nancysoffice at gmail dot com

Unknown on June 8, 2010 at 8:01 PM said... 40

I became a follower.

nancysoffice at gmail dot com

Terra Heck on June 9, 2010 at 12:02 AM said... 41

Princess Meetu sounds like an interesting one to be. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck on June 9, 2010 at 12:02 AM said... 42

email subscriber
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Terra Heck on June 9, 2010 at 12:03 AM said... 43

follow your blog
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com

Darcie K. on June 9, 2010 at 1:31 AM said... 44

I would most like to be Princess Quartermoon
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on June 9, 2010 at 1:31 AM said... 45

I subscribe via email!!!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on June 9, 2010 at 1:32 AM said... 46

I am a facebook fan/Like (Darcie Kayes)
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on June 9, 2010 at 1:32 AM said... 47

I follow via Networked Blogs
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on June 9, 2010 at 1:32 AM said... 48

I follow via Google Friend Connect
dmkayes@gmail.com

Angela on June 10, 2010 at 6:25 PM said... 49

Please please please let me be princess Somnia!
veniceangel@hotmail.com

Angela on June 10, 2010 at 6:25 PM said... 50

I follow via blogger

Angela on June 10, 2010 at 6:26 PM said... 51

I subscribe via email
veniceangel@hotmail.com

busiemommie on June 10, 2010 at 8:12 PM said... 52

I'd like to be princess for a day

busiemommie on June 10, 2010 at 8:13 PM said... 53

I follow on Blogger ~busiemommie

justicecw on June 11, 2010 at 4:55 PM said... 54

I would most like to be princess claire voyant!
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on June 11, 2010 at 4:56 PM said... 55

I am an email subscriber
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on June 11, 2010 at 4:56 PM said... 56

I am a FB fan = Christine W
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on June 11, 2010 at 4:57 PM said... 57

I am a blog follower = christine
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on June 11, 2010 at 4:57 PM said... 58

Follow on twitter and tweeted at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/15964189138
justicecw@hotmail.com

justicecw on June 12, 2010 at 8:59 AM said... 59

6/12 tweet at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/16011919978
justicecw@hotmail.com

Anonymous said... 60

I would like to be Princess Paige. She gets to read a lot.

Anonymous said... 61

I subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates via email. This book looks great.

justicecw on June 13, 2010 at 11:07 AM said... 62

6/13 tweet at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/16087849095
justicecw@hotmail.com

Denise S. on June 13, 2010 at 2:48 PM said... 63

I'm Princess Somnia!

justicecw on June 15, 2010 at 8:05 PM said... 64

6/15 tweet at http://twitter.com/justicecw/status/16276371935
justicecw@hotmail.com

1993wel on June 16, 2010 at 10:34 PM said... 65

I most resemble Princess Paige! I'm always reading when I should be doing other things.

Anonymous said... 66

Princess Oblivia!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Pamela S on June 19, 2010 at 9:36 PM said... 67

I love music so I'd say Princess Do-Re-Mi
Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)aol(DOT)com

Pamela S on June 19, 2010 at 9:41 PM said... 68

Follower GFC

Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)aol(DOT)com

cman on June 20, 2010 at 10:53 PM said... 69

Princess Somnia.

bonggamom on June 25, 2010 at 9:29 AM said... 70

Congratulations to the winner: #35, Dolphin Girl!

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