PRINCESS PINECONE AND THE WEE ROYALS
by C.C. Bernstein illustrated by Irem Yazici
Five animal friends learn to embrace empathy in Bernstein’s debut picture book.
Princess Pinecone, a bunny; Duchess Daffodil, a mouse; Archduke Acorn, a cat; Lady Log, an owl; and Lord Lilypad, a frog, find a gray ball that turns out to be wizard Yairf Dogratherf, who ate their daisies, not knowing they belonged to anyone. All the “wee royals” distrust him except Princess Pinecone, who invites him to tea. The next day, her back has a hump, and before long, so do her pals’. As the princess helps to find medicinal plants, Daffodil apologizes for being rude to her and the wizard (she and others initially called the princess a hunchback). When they bring clovers to Yairf, their humps hatch fairy wings, and Yairf Dogratherf (whose name is an anagram for “Fairy Godfather”) delivers a final message. Bernstein’s uncomplicated story is charming, although its tone sometimes borders on twee. Princess Pinecone is an unflappable protagonist, and millennial parents will smile at an apparent passing reference to a Black Eyed Peas song. Talented Turkish fiber artist Yazici’s delightful stitchwork reveals an intricate, pastel-colored paradise, with delicately hand-embroidered lily pads, dragonflies, butterflies, and textured plants of all kinds.
A sweet bedtime story with gorgeous images.