Princess Elizabeth is very much in love with her Prince – Ronald. They were destined to be married, until…

A dragon swoops in from nowhere, burns down her castle and everything in it, leaving her nothing but a paper bag. Prince Ronald has been snatched up on the dragon’s retreat!

Elizabeth was mad. Not just mad. Livid! How dare this dragon take her Prince. With nothing but the paper bag to wear and the slightly melted crown on her head, she determinedly sets off to rescue her Ronald.

Finally she reaches the home of the dragon. Despite this dragon being huge, fire-breathing and very rude, Elizabeth is not frightened in the least.

However… Prince Ronald doesn’t see her courage, her bravery or her cunning. All he sees is a mess – not how a princess is supposed to look at all.

40 years after this story was first published, the themes of self-esteem, flipping gender roles, happiness and bravery are even more relevant today. Why does the princess always get kidnapped, and the prince save the day? Also, why do women have to look they way men want them to?

Years before fairytales have been tipped on their heads and republished for today’s young reader’s enjoyment, The Paper Bag Princess was asking these questions. Simply brilliant.

Author – Robert Munsch

Illustrator – Michael Martchenko

Picture book for all ages and genders

Questions to explore in class or at home here

(1980, Scholastic, 40th Anniversary edition, Princess, Fairytale twist, Dragon, Courage, Bravery, Action, Gender roles, Traditional gender switch, Self-esteem, Happiness, Inner strength, Cunning, Cleverness, Humour, Funny)