The Princess Who Had Almost Everything.

Much-cherished Alicia, a princess, has been provided with every luxury and entertainment for her amusement. Nevertheless her constant cry is “I’M BORED.” Alicia has a magnificent castle, a built-in roller coaster, a maze, an electric train, fine shoes, fine food to tempt her, and a mechanical bath, but none of them bring her happiness. When she requests a prince her father advertises for one who can keep Alicia entertained, an unlikely possibility. In the tradition of old folk tales princes arrive from far and wide, but Alicia is not inspired until Prince Connor arrives with a box of paper. Alicia proceeds to do origami, and from there she learns to paint, knit, hook rugs, grow wheat, and play the horn! Alicia has found her forte as a practical, hands-on kind of girl!

Originally published in French in 2006 as La Princesse Qui Avait Presque Tout, the picture book reads like a modern version of a traditional fairy tale with it’s “A long time ago” beginning and “they all lived happily until the end of time” ending. One has empathy for Alicia’s parents, grows to love Alicia despite her constant dissatisfaction, and has admiration for the friendly Prince Connor. The story certainly provides a message that the simple things of life and using one’s own inner resources are often the most satisfying. The illustrations by Josée Masse are beautiful. Many of them are double-page spreads, but all are lavish, bold, colourful, and extremely engaging with lots of whimsy and humour. Readers both old and young will find this a totally satisfying picture book. Highly recommended.