Princess Pistachio

Marie-Louise Gay

Book - 2015

"One day Pistachio Shoelace opens a mysterious present: a golden crown! Pistachio knew all along that she was a princess, but her 'real' parents, the king and queen of Papua, have sent her a message at last. Soon they will come to claim her. But for now, her adoptive parents still force her to eat spinach and go to school. Her former best friends laugh at her new crown. And her so-called baby sister is a pest. Princess Pistachio must prove that she is a real princess-- elegant, graceful, and very brave"--Page 4 of cover.

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Subjects
Genres
Fiction
Humorous fiction
Readers (Publications)
Published
Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Pajama Press 2015.
Language
English
French
Main Author
Marie-Louise Gay (author)
Other Authors
Jacob Homel (translator)
Item Description
Translation of: Princesse Pistache.
"Translated from French by Jacob Homel"--Title page verso.
Physical Description
46 pages : color illustrations ; 22 cm
ISBN
9781927485699
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

Pistachio is overjoyed when a golden crown arrives by mail, along with an unsigned card that reads, Happy birthday, my little princess! She decides that her real parents are a king and queen who will be coming for her soon. Suddenly it seems less important to obey her adoptive parents or be kind to her little sister, Penny. Her snooty pretensions make her a laughingstock at school. But when Penny gets lost one night, Pistachio summons her courage (a real princess is brave) to venture out alone and find her sister. Gay, best known for the Stella picture-book series, switches gears to write for a somewhat older audience. This early chapter book may be shorter than most, but it vividly portrays the characters' emotions in both the text and the many colorful ink-and-wash illustrations. Sometimes charming and sometimes funny, the story is as satisfying as its protagonist's name: Pistachio Shoelace. The last page reveals the cover of Princess Pistachio and the Pest, the second book in Gay's new series.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2015 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Gay (the Stella and Sam books) introduces a mercurial heroine named Pistachio Shoelace in this early reader series launch. An anonymous birthday gift of a golden crown confirms the redheaded, freckle-faced girl's belief that she is actually a princess from an island kingdom, where she was showered with lavish presents-"silver skates, invisible kites, a parrot that spoke five languages"-until a jealous witch whisked her away to live with "adoptive parents." Pistachio's jubilation over "discovering" her regal origins gives way to outrage when her parents and friends refuse to appreciate her royal status ("My real mother would never deny me anything," Pistachio huffs). Worse still, her baby sister, Penny, insists she's a princess (or rather "pwincess"), too. Airy spot illustrations keep the comedy fresh, drolly portraying Pistachio's lofty airs, which result in not-infrequent rages when the world doesn't bend to her will. Gay gives full credence to Pistachio's volatile emotions-she often lashes out at her sister in ways that are uncomfortably believable-which makes the reconciliation between the girls feel a bit rushed as the story concludes. Ages 5-8. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 2-On her birthday, Pistachio Shoelace gets an unsigned card that says "Happy birthday, my little princess" and a golden crown. She has suspected her whole life that she is actually a princess, so she weaves a tale that she believes is the story of her royal heritage. At dinner, donning her princess dress and crown, she informs her family that "From this day forth, you shall call me Princess Pistachio." Unfortunately, her annoying little sister Penny wants to follow in her footsteps and decides she will be a princess, too. In this easy chapter book comprised of five short chapters, Pistachio realizes that her own family, friends, and teacher, and even the neighborhood boys don't really acknowledge her new status and some make fun of her. Readers will be empathetic to her struggles, especially when she wishes her sister away, and then has to find her. Young readers transitioning to chapter books will be enthralled by Pistachio and her big personality and imagination. The pen-and-ink illustrations are tinted with bright water colors and will help readers visualize the girl's antics. VERDICT A wonderful new offering from Gay to take her picture book readers to the next stage.-Nancy Jo Lambert, McSpedden Elementary Frisco, TX © Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

The arrival of a tiara in the mail is the tipping point in evidence for Pistachio Shoelace that she is really a princessbut no one seems to believe her.In five short and humorous chapters readers learn that Pistachio has long believed that a "ghastly witch, green with envy" stole her, the Papuan princess, and allowed her adoption by Mr. and Mrs. Shoelace of 23 Maple St. Pistachio attempts to dress and act the part of her ideal, pampered, "real princess"but no one, including her mother, plays along. When she tries to avoid looking after her baby sister, Pistachio's mother only tells her that princesses "always obey their mothers, or they go without television for a week." And her best friend, Madeline, actually laughs at Pistachio's sudden, unexpected costume and behaviors. The skillful combination of text and illustrations addresses many serious concerns of early childhoodand even of parenthoodwithout straying from the book's tone of fun and frivolity. (Among the issues so adeptly addressed are adoption, sibling relationships, classmate rejection and a missing child.) The characters are pen-and-ink creations tinted with bright watercolors; Pistachio's russet braid and freckled face are reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking and the author's own Stella. Whimsical names (Pistachio's teacher is Mrs. Trumpethead) add to the fun. A playful and entertaining take on children's perennial questions surrounding ideas of personhood, family and community. (Early reader. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.