The Paper Bag Princess (1980)

The main point of this story: sticking to one's assigned role (as the dragon does) can ruin one's whole day, while rejecting conventional wisdom (as the heroine does) may save the day.
The problem faced by Elizabeth (the heroine) is how to get her fairytale life back on track after the dragon shatters it.
Elizabeth's plan to solve the problem is to forgo protocol and take the matter into her own hands. She then proceeds to wear out the dragon by exploiting its vanity.
The child appeal of this story is due to the fast-paced plot (by the second page whole castles have crashed and burned), and the humoros language and illustrations.
The story should also appeal to parents and teachers:
- The resolution of the problem is child-sized: Elizabeth simply uses clever words, just as any ordinary child could. No magic, no superheroes, no alien abductions...
- The role reversal offers the opportunity to discuss attitudes and beliefs that the children may have absorbed from more traditional stories.

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Ronald (the feckless prince loved, rescued, and in the end deservedly dumped by Elizabeth) is a perfect spoof of media gender icons. On the one hand, he is the ultimate non-committal, superficial male. On the other hand, his narcissistic unreality rivals that of Hollywood's female leads--not even flying while in the clutches of a dragon can muss his impeccable coif.

The (male) author's dedication of the book to 'Elizabeth' (presumably a daughter) suggests that genuine affection can motivate anyone to see beyond stereotyped roles--out of concern for a loved one.
The final confrontation between the heroine and Ronald the Ingrate is a perfect stimulant for the child's sense of outrage. It seals Ronald's fate both in Elizabeth's and the reader's minds.
Adult content (or innuendo) in children's stories may be acceptable as long as the children don't get it. In the final illustration, the rocks on the left may be giving Ronald the finger.

This document is at <http://www.sanedraw.com/NOTEBOOK/PAPERBAG.HTM>
Copyright 2000 by Sandro Corsi. Last modified 2000-06-26.