Book review: Princess Bubble
By Jessica Gafkowitz
Princess Bubble, written by Susan Johnson and Kimberly Webb, is a truly unique children's book; it tells a nontraditional fairytale with a modern twist.
Princess Bubble is not only a princess. She graduated from college and is working as a flight attendant to satisfy her desire to travel and meet new people. She buys her own home and frequently spends time with her friends, who are getting married to live "happily ever after". Princess Bubble is different; she enjoys her time traveling and being with her friends. Marriage is not on her mind. Her friends and mother show concern for Princess Bubble, and her status as "prince-less". They convince her to start looking, so she visits http://www.FindYourPrince.com and reads other fairy tales for inspiration. Princess Bubble soon realizes that unlike princesses in these other fairy tales, she is already content with her life and being "prince-less."
Princess Bubble is a realistic portrayal of the struggle many women still face today; the pressure to meet the man of their dreams, get married and like fairy tales, live "happily ever after". This book is incredibly different from all the other fairy tales out there because it is specifically for young girls to teach them that finding a man and getting married should not and cannot be a woman's source of happiness. It is necessary to find your own happiness and share it with others.

Synopsis: This modern-day fairy tale features an independent princess named Princess Bubble. She is a flight attendant for the Royal Heir Line and travels all over the world. Many of her princess friends are getting married, and Princess Bubble’s mother, the queen, urges her to find her own prince. She searches high and low, and even on the internet, for her perfect prince. She tries to find clues in the fairy tales, but she eventually learns that “happily ever after” doesn’t have to come from a prince. It comes from being happy in your own life and doing good things for others. Princess Bubble realizes that she is already happy and finds her own “happily ever after”.

Review: Bubble Gum Press was kind enough to send me this book, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I was surprised to find a thoroughly modern princess (she wears jeans!) and no Price Charming, which was very refreshing. Traditional fairy tales too often focus on a “damsel in distress” and a brave prince who must face many dangers to rescue her. Princess Bubble does not need rescuing. She has a job, she has friends, and when she searches for her prince, she takes them on dates to football games and the movies.

The message that this book conveys is that an independent, modern girl does not need a man to be happy with her life. Princess Bubble is happy with the way her life is, and although falling in love with a handsome prince can certainly enhance her happiness, it does not define it. This is a very positive message for the young girls who read this book. It further teaches young readers that they can find their own “happily ever after” in their lives by simply living good lives and helping others. Princess Bubble is such an optimistic characters and a wonderful role model for any young girl. The authors have succeeded in turning the old fairy tales upside down and have created something entirely new. The illustrations by Maria Tonelli are wonderful and add a richness to the storytelling. I’m looking forward to more adventures with Princess Bubble, and I’m sure I’m not the only one!

Rating: 9/10

Reviewed by Sarah

http://bcfreviews.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/princess-bubble-by-susan-johnston-and-kimberly-webb/

www.PrincessBubble.com