Looking for books about princesses? Look no further!
When I worked at Borders, I got hundreds of requests for books about princesses. I know that the “princess phase” is something that some parents dread, so I decided to put together a comprehensive list of my most recommended princess books, some traditional, some modern. Each of these great titles has something to offer readers, and hopefully you’ll enjoy them as much as I do!
Younger readers will love these great princess-themed picture books:
Rapunzel: Based on the Original Story by the Brothers Grimm
adapted and illustrated by Sarah Gibb
Fans of the Disney movie Tangled will enjoy reading the original tale of Rapunzel. The dazzlingly gorgeous illustrations make this book a must-own. Ages 5+.
written by Florence Parry Heide and illustrated by Lane Smith
Princess Hyacinth is a perfectly normal girl. Except for one minor detail: she floats. This hilarious, offbeat story will keep kids in stitches, and Lane Smith (one of my favorite illustrators) does some of his best work. Ages 4-8.
written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Princess Elizabeth is a smart, savvy heroine who doesn’t need to wait around and be rescued. She would rather do the rescuing herself! Click here to read my full review. Ages 4-8.
written by Cornelia Funke and illustrated by Kerstin Meyer
Princess Violetta wants to be as strong and brave as her three brothers. She practices, in secret, and soon becomes one of the most nimble knights in the land. When the king announces that a jousting tournament will determine who Violetta must marry, the princess takes matters into her own hands. Ages 5-9.
Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story
written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola
Fans of Cinderella will love Adelita! The book features beautiful painted illustrations, which combine Mexican folk art with dePaola’s iconic style. The book also includes many Spanish phrases and a glossary at the end. Ages 5-9.
written by Dashka Slater and illustrated by Valeria Docampo
Plucky Princess Amanita loves everything dangerous. Boys and girls alike will love reading about this non-traditional princess. Ages 4-9.
adapted by Marianna Mayer and illustrated by Kinuko Craft
In this retelling of a classic German fairy tale, twelve bewitched princesses sneak out of their castle every night and dance until dawn. The story is quite long, making it better suited to older children, but the rich artwork is what makes this book so special. Ages 7-10.
written by Jonathan Emmett and illustrated by Poly Bernatene
A baby princess and a piglet accidentally switch places in this laugh-out-loud fractured fairy tale. Ages 4-8.
written and illustrated by Mary Jan Auch and Herm Auch
An out-of-work princess makes a surprising culinary discovery. Ages 4-8.
written by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton and illustrated by Christine Davenier
Geraldine knows that she’s a princess. But she also knows that there’s more to being a princess than wearing sparkly crowns and pink dresses; princesses are practical, creative, and know when to take charge! Ages 3-7.
written by Cornelia Funke and illustrated by Kerstin Meyer
When young Princess Isabella becomes bored with her privileged life, she ends up in the most unlikely of places: working in a pigsty. Ages 3-7.
Not All Princesses Dress in Pink
written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple
This lively rhyming tale shows a multitude of princesses who love to play sports, read books, ride their bikes, and even dig in the dirt, all while wearing their crowns. Ages 3-7.
For readers ages 9-13, check out these wonderful princess-themed novels:
Ella Enchanted
Princess Academy
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
The Goose Girl
The Frog Princess
The Thirteenth Princess
Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor
Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile
Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles
The Birthday Ball
Once Upon a Marigold
Do you have a favorite princess story that didn’t make the list?
Let me know in the comments!
Thank you so much for putting this list together! I have four granddaughters aged three and under. They all adore Princess Books
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I still am a sucker for Princess Stories, even though I am nearly 30! I love The Paper Bag Princess. I read it a lot in PJ storytimes, and the kids love it. Oooo, and Ella Enchanted! And Princess Academy
Same here! You’re never too old for princess stories.
What a fun list! I’ve enjoyed many of these, and will keep my eye open for more of them! It’s a little older, but I really love M.M. Kaye’s “The Ordinary Princess” for middle grade readers, as well as Patricia Wrede’s “Dealing With Dragons”.
Thank you!
I’ve heard of “The Ordinary Princess” but I’ve never read it. I will definitely check it out.
Love the list! Some great recommendations for our grand-girls who are definitely in the princess/fairy phase. They live in Shanghai– so I’m their English book source. thanks
Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the list.
I think Princess Academy is my favorite on your list. The audiobook is fantastic!
Shannon Hale is great.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I love The Paper Bag Princess! It was my first introduction to feminism. And the Royal Diaries series is excellent YA historical fiction. I haven’t read the version of The Twelve Dancing Princesses you have listed, but I did have the privelege of proofing a reprint of Ruth Sanderson’s retelling. While the premise itself is somewhat unsettling, Sanderson’s illustrations are gorgeous.
I went through a big historical fiction phase when I was growing up and the Royal Diaries books were a big part of it. I don’t know very many people who have read them, so I’m glad to hear that you like them too!
I loved them! Elisabeth, Cleopatra, and Kaiulani (sp?) were my favorites.
Oh Wow Katie
This is the most fabulous list. We aren’t quite at the princess phase but I am heavily armed when it hits. Thank you so much, so many of the books look totally enchanting, so even if Gigi doesn’t go through a phase, maybe her mother will lol. Thanks for linking it into the hop.
Thanks so much, Julie!
I see a lot of Pinkalious checked out the library in my class.
Pinkalicious was always very popular at my store, too, but I was never really a huge fan. I usually recommend Madeline instead.
I absolutely agree that M M Kaye’s “The Ordinary Princess” is a must for any princess list, although I am looking fwd to introducing my daughter to the Princess Academy which I had not heard of. I think I am going to dig out my old copy of “The Ordinary Princess” right away, I just loved that book when I was around 10 – I used to rewrite versions of it with myself as the lead character of course!
Thanks for the recommendation! I just put The Ordinary Princess on hold at the library and I can’t wait to check it out. I hope your daughter likes Princess Academy!
What a fantastic range of books-I have to admit I’m drawn to the more alternative or feisty princesses (as is my daughter!) Brilliant, thanks.
Same here! Luckily there are a lot of good books available nowadays about those types of princesses.
I know The Paperbag Princess but thank you to introducing me to lots more Princess books that I don’t know).
I would also add;
The Princess and the Peas (it encouraged my daughter to eat peas!).
The Kite Princess (a tomboy princess who rebels against her parents in a wonderfully original way).
The Rescue Princesses (chapter book for 6 to 9 year olds, tomboy princesses with ninja moves
)!).
I have them all on my blog.
Thanks, Catherine, I will definitely check those out! Anything that encourages eating peas in good in my book!
Found you via the Hop! Love the themed princess post here (okay, maybe not for me, but a great resource fro referring students and parents). Your blog looks terrific! Please swing by and visit at http://teachwithpicturebooks.blogspot.com.
Thanks so much for stopping by! I will definitely pay your blog a visit soon.
What a great idea to assemble the very best in Princess themed books. My favorite has got to be “Ella Enchanted,” by Gail Carson Levine. Thanks, Katie. It’s nice to meet you. : )
Thanks, Julia! I think Ella Enchanted might be my favorite, too.
LOVE the Princess post. We will be using this list often. Thank you!
I’m so glad!
What a great list! My best friend just found out she was having a girl yesterday, so this will come in handy! Do you have a favorite from this list?
My favorite picture book from this list would have to be The Princess and the Pig (I’ll be posting a full-length review soon!) and my favorite of the novels listed is Ella Enchanted. I was in middle school when I first read it and I’ve loved it ever since!
What a great list, and there’s one by Tomie dePaola, too! We love his books. I think my little one is about to start her princess phase, so this is really wonderful!
Thanks, Monika! I’m a huge Tomie dePaola fan. I’ve reviewed several of his books in the past few months!
I love how you put this list together! The paperbag princess is my kind of princess! lol I haven’t run across many of these though. I’ll have to check into some of the ones for older girls. My daughter might like some of those. Thanks for co-hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Thanks so much, Renee! I’m glad you enjoyed the list.
What an amazing post! I’ve read a few books on that list. Have you read Two Moon Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban (Tanglewood Press)?
No, I’m not familiar with that one.
Wow! What an awesome list. You have some of my all time favorites here. I think the only one I might add would be Princess of the Midnight Ball and Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George and The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker.
Thank you so much, Heidi! I haven’t read Tuesdays at the Castle, but I like Jessica Day George so I will check that one out.
This is a great list! We’ve really enjoyed the Princess and the Pig. Have you read The Princesses Have a Ball by Teresa Bateman? We discovered this book about a week ago and it is fantastic!
We’ll have to check out more princess books — especially Princess Hyacinth. I’m becoming a big fan of Lane Smith’s work.
I haven’t read The Princesses Have a Ball but I definitely will!
LOVE your list! I am collecting strong and capable princess books for girls too! We have many of the same books on our lists! Love that! http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/10/top-10-misunderstood-princess-books-ages-2-16/
That’s so neat!
Looks awesome love ur blog
Thank you!
Your welcome
A nice book to add would be dragon slippers by Jessica day gorge
I’ve read a few of Jessica Day George’s books, but I’m not familiar with that one. Thanks for the recommendation!
Wow, that’s a lot of princesses. What girl doesn’t like them? Thanks for compiling such a great list
Thanks for stopping by, Sibel!
Funny how there are multiple princess and pig pairings!
I can’t tell you how many times I have read Ella Enchanted in my life. That reminds me, I think my mom has my copy in her classroom. I might have to plan a raid to get it back! Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for stopping by, Jaymie!
Great list. My students are always asking for princess books in the library.
Thank you! Hopefully I introduced you to a few new ones to recommend.