Taylor and the Princess

Jean Free is a past judge of the Vicky Metcalf and Ruth Schwartz awards
for children’s

literature.

Linda Skilnick wrote Taylor and the Princess when she was 18 years old. She lives in St. Catharines, as does the illustrator, Donna L.S. Misener.

Taylor, the young prince, is sent off on three errands set by Miranda’s father, the king. He is required to climb the highest mountain, find the wisest man on earth, and bring the princess the most beautiful gift in the world.

Well, sure enough, Taylor manages to do all this, and he finds that “love, courage and determination” are the important things in life. And, of course, Miranda and Taylor “lived happily ever after to the end of their days.”

Does all this sound familiar? Does Canadian literature need another trite story about a docile princess and a brave and reckless prince? At $6.95, this book should be low on a priority list for purchasing.

Not recommended.