THE PRINCESS AWAY BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS

Like the title character of Robert Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess (1980), this youngster neither wants nor needs to be saved.

With this story translated from Italian, Pisi plays deftly with other fairy-tale tropes. Though our princess inhabits a far-off castle with a dragon, the scaly creature isn’t an adversary, but an ally who supports the princess as she practices karate, navigates thrilling rapids, and builds a flying machine. It’s far better than the boring palace, where there’s “nothing to do,” and she can’t wear trousers or even “use a screwdriver.” Her father, the king, believes she’s an unwilling captive and has even offered a rich reward for her rescue, but as the knights arrive one by one, she exclaims, “Can’t you see I don’t want to be saved?” She reinforces her words with “a mighty karate chop,” sending each soaring “away beyond the mountains.” But when the Green Knight shows up, the flying machine enthralls him, and the two (along with the dragon) set off, collecting other princesses “in search of adventure.” The splotchy, goofy-looking, pale-green dragon, eyes at half-staff, is never threatening. All the characters are child-size; the feisty princess is pale-skinned, while the supporting cast is diverse. Rovira’s delicate and precise line art, with spare but effective use of color, is lively and droll, with some amusing details, like the cat and bird kibitzers. Text and illustrations work together well, exalting girl power.

Princesses everywhere will celebrate this spirited model of independence.