Growing up, The Paper Bag Princess was always one of my favourite stories. My brothers and I were big fans of Robert Munsch books, but this one held a special place in my heart. Maybe it was because I was always having to defend myself against annoying little brothers, or because my name is also Elizabeth; either way, this book stuck. It showed me that girls can be smart and brave and fight battles for themselves, and no one can ever tell them otherwise. Those lessons stuck with me, and are still important today.

Rereading this book as an adult was wonderful. The story has aged incredibly well, and still holds up as having important lessons for children, regardless of their gender. It still teaches girls to be strong and brave, but also teaches boys to be respectful (or be called a bum!).

The 40th anniversary edition also includes bonus content for adult readers: a note from Chelsea Clinton, a short article by Francesca Segal, and reflections from Ann Munsch as well. All of the extra content illustrates the impact that this story has had on generations, and how it will continue to play an important role for readers of all ages.

Thank you so much to the publisher (Annick Press) for an electronic copy of this book via NetGally. The Paper Bag Princess 40th anniversary edition came out on February 4, 2020, and can be purchased wherever books are sold.

In this edition, there are wonderfully insightful letters from people to whom the books touched throughout their lives. They remind us, as we eagerly devour the story for yet another time, that our feelings are nearly universal in regards to Elizabeth, and her adventure,

This story felt unfinished to me. I love the origin and history of it, but I didn't really like the story all that much. The illustrations were well-done and fit the story well.

I love how this book flips the role in classical fairytales where the damsel is in distress. I enjoyed reading about the princess using her wit to help the prince. This is a great book to read to children of any age.

I kind of grew up on Robert Munsch's <em>The Paper Bag Princess. </em>It was a story that I was introduced to rather early on and one that followed me for at least a few years. It was the first book I ever read that promoted female strength in such a way, which I suppose was immensely important considering everything else I grew up around. And still, I don't think I was able to fully appreciate this book until I finally reread it as an adult.

<em>The Paper Bag Princess</em> tells the story of Princess Elizabeth whose life is, at least on paper, perfect. She's engaged to a Prince, she has all these fancy clothes and a castle, and she runs a kingdom. And when a dragon one day comes, he burns her castle and fancy things to the ground and takes off with her Prince, no doubt intending to gobble him up. All Princess Elizabeth is left with is a paper bag.

Thus our story truly begins:

And so, rather than despair, Elizabeth sets off to fight the dragon and get her Prince back. Spoilers ahead, but fair enough this book has been out for a long time, after outsmarting the dragon it seems the prim Prince no longer wants Elizabeth now that all her riches have been burned and she no longer has a kingdom. He is, in fact, so rude in the light of her saving him all because he has this notion that his Princess should be clean and beautiful--she's covered in ash and wearing a paper bag, after all--that Princess Elizabeth decides he's not worth marrying after all.

Princess Elizabeth knows her own worth measures far higher than this Prince can determine.

It's such a wonderful tale with an amazing message. I truly think <em>The Paper Bag Princess </em>will live on as a timeless story. Having just celebrated its 40th anniversary, that of its publication of course and not when it was first imagined as a tale that the author merely told aloud, it's amazingly a book that is still relevant today. This is the sort of tale I will always love to share with any young girls I know.

This is an important book, an important story. And I expect it to live on for quite a while.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

Princess Elizabeth’s castle is burned down down with all her possessions and takes her fiancé by a fierce dragon. No one is willing to fight the dragon so Princess Elizabeth decides to take matters into her own hands. With nothing to wear she puts on a paper bag for clothing. Princess Elizabeth challenges the dragon. Will she win?

There are comments by the author and others in this edition. It is a book that shows what girls can do. This picture book edition show how a girl can defend herself when someone disrespects her. It is a book for anyone.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Annick Press publishers in exchange for an honest review.

This book is just as awesome as it was 40 years ago! Robert Munsch has always been one of my favourite authors. I love that Elizabeth is feisty and smart and doesn’t care what Ronald thinks because he is a bum.

Thank you, Mr. Munsch, for so many amazing books.

#ThePaperBagPrincess40thanniversaryedition #NetGalley

I LOVE THIS! This is quite possibly my favorite childhood story. It is an important book in a sea of princess stories that encourage girls to believe they need someone to rescue them when they are perfectly capable of doing so themselves. I love that it's being recognized and promoted to a new generation of girls!

One of my all time favorite books for kids is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Paper Bag Princess is a tale for all children. I read it to my boys when they were young and still to this day they treat girls/women/all people with respect. Elizabeth is a problem-solver, figuring out how to clothe herself, outwitting the dragon, and working to save Ronald. She is courageous in the way she stands up for herself and tells Ronald how awful he is as she joyfully leaves him alone. I believe it was the first book I read where the princess saves herself. It is a fun way to get the message across! The letters at the front and back of the book confirm that this beloved book should be back in circulation.

40 years later, The Paper Bag Princess is still a classic. I appreciated the foreword and afterword with the background on how the story was created. It is a great reminder for girls everywhere that their story doesn't have to involve being saved by anyone - that you are strong as you are. Elizabeth is a clever trickster by challenging the dragon to fly several times and become exhausted enough to fall asleep. She then cleverly rescues the prince that was held captive by the dragon. His greeting is not what she expected - he called her a mess with her paper bag on as clothing, her hair was tangled, he tells her to come back when she looks better. Elizabeth tells the prince that he's even with his too fancy clothes he's a bum! She leaves and they don't marry. Happy ending indeed!

I've loved this book since I was little and it was great to be able to read it again. It's still such a great story with a really important message.

When I was growing up, The Paper Bag Princess was one of my go to books. I'm not kidding, I knew that story inside out and could recite it without the book. As I got older, I lost that ability to recite this book without hesitation, but the memories are still there. This book holds a special place in my heart! Robert Munsch is a genius!

So, as the story suggests there is a Princess. Her name is Elizabeth! She is beautiful, lives in a big fancy castle, is engaged to Ronald, and has everything her heart could desire. And then a dragon comes along and ruins everything (like most girl's everyday life - obviously). Prince Ronald has been carried away and all of her belongings are gone! So, like most girls these days, she put on her best paper bag and went off to save the Prince! And how will she battle this wretched dragon? With her smarts!

This story gave me Shrek vibes before I even watched Shrek. It's not your average fairy tale and it's quite amusing! Elizabeth is a sassy yet relatable girl with some interesting (yet amusing) problems. I love that the Princess is the hero (and this is 40 years old, so Princesses weren't always kicking butt and taking names like they do today) and that she's wicked smart. I also love that in the end she stands up for herself and doesn't do what's expected of her. This book definitely added in to my spunky behaviour as an adult.

The art work doesn't connect with me as much as it did when I was a kid. Of course, my style and preferences has changed but I still think the pictures work with the story. As always, the cover is what really stuck with me.

I did like the forewards in this book - Chelsea Clinton and Francesca Segal share some sweet stories that I connect with. This book is a special part of childhood history for many people, so it was nice to see it wasn't just me who was obsessed with this book!

Overall, this is still one of my must read books. I'm glad this book is still circulating around and I hope many more girls pick up this butt kicking book and share it with the world!

Five out of five stars. I'd give it more if possible!

Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for letting me travel back to my youth with this arc review. Seriously, I can hear my reading buddies chanting "Hey Dragon, Hey Dragon."

A classic! This has always been one of my favorite children's books. Beautifully illustrated and whimsical - this edition includes a small introductory note from Chelsea Clinton, and a copy of an article from Francesca Segal on the impact that Paper Bag Princess had on her life, and now on a new generation of girls. Paper Bag Princess has always reminded me to be like Elizabeth - be full! Be wild! Be clever! Be fearless! Be adventurous! Stand up to those who don't love you for your full self! Never be afraid to tell a romantic partner that they're a bum, if they're being a bum - haha!
It ends with a lovely note about where Paper Bag Princess came from. Robert Munsch is a TREASURE. If your library has access to TumbleBooks, listen to him read this story out loud - you can really tell that he began his career as an oral storyteller.
I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I have ALWAYS loved this book, especially with the twist it throws that the princess can take care of herself and doesn’t need a rotten, stuck up prince to save her. Great, empowering book with a fun story!

A good book in which a princess uses her brain to outwit a dragon and save the prince.

The story is about a dragon, a prince, and a princess. The dragon burns down the princess’ castle with everything she has, including her clothes. The only thing left for her to put on to over herself is a paper bag. The dragon took Prince Ronald to his lair. Princess Elizabeth sets off to find Ronald. She uses the dragons pride and ego to show her how he burns forests and travels the world. By the time she is able to rescue Ronald, she realizes that she is not interested in his at all.

The story is cute and shows that girls can be heroes too. The story reads will and smooth. The illustrations are cute while still maintaining a renaissance feel. I prefer the original edition, however. This edition begins with notes to the reader and 45% of this version is over before the story begins.


I received an ARC from Annick Press through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am submitting this review voluntarily and am under no obligation to do so.

A true feminist children’s book. A princess faces insurmountable odds but she over comes them and saves the day. She outsmarts the bad guy and rescues the prince only to discover he was not a prince she wanted or needed. A great quick bedtime read to encourage children.

The Paper Bag Princess is a classic picturebook and I was excited to see as a 40th anniversary edition by Robert Munsch being released on February 4 2020. 40 years. 7 million copies. 1 kick-ass princess who has inspired four generations of readers to stand up for themselves. How do you celebrate an occasion as special as 40 years in print for a book as beloved as The Paper Bag Princess? You track down some of the most poignant commentary about the story; you share behind-the-scenes insights from the author and his partner; and you present it all in a beautiful package that showcases the story like never before.

The Paper Bag Princess is a story that has always resonated with me. Elizabeth is a princess, with all the riches and trappings. When a dragon steals away her equally perfect princely fiance she sets about rescuing him. She is resourceful and smart- but her prince chides her for being unladylike just before she tells him off and goes on her merry way. Elizabeth's determination, intelligence, and independence have inspired many from my generation, and those after us. As happy as I am to see more books every year encouraging kids to be themselves and help others, this book will always be the benchmark by which I measure newer books with similar messages. Frankly, while some come cose, none have ever surpassed this book in my heart. I loved this new addition, and enjoyed reading about the inspiration of the book and how others have felt about it over the years. I think readers of all ages can still appreciate the charming art style, and the heartfelt message of this book. It will appeal to new readers, and those of us basking in nostalgia alike.

The Paper Bag Princess is a book I am glad to see re released with additional artwork and commentary. I think a copy of this edition is going to be added to my already overcrowded shelves.

Title: The Paper Bag Princess



Author: Robert Munsch



Genre: Fiction, Children, Classic, Illustrated, Fairy tale, Princess, Dragons.



Plot: Princess Elizabeth is spunky, clever and madly in love with the handsome and pretty Prince Ronald. But there's a tiny wrench in her wedding plans: a local dragon. This dragon further throws things into chaos by attacking and burning down the castle, including all of the fine clothes in Elizabeth's wardrobe and then the dragon carries off Prince Ronald as his captive snack for later.



Undaunted by these events and the lack of decent clothes, Elizabeth determines to rescue her handsome prince. So she dons a paper bag and sets off on her mission, armed only with her wits and patience.



Likes/Dislikes: For 40 years, readers young and old have adored this simple and beautiful story. Elizabeth is a princess but she doesn't let that get in her way as she firmly establishes herself as the hero in her story. She is resourceful (see: the paper bag) and clever with a large store of patience at her youthful disposal. On top of that, she knows how to tell when someone is throwing her shade and how to put them back in their place. Her confidence has inspired girls everywhere and will continue to do so with this beautiful special edition of the classic book.



I read this a couple of times as a kid and always remembered it as the story with the girl wearing the paper bag. It wasn't until I was older that more of the story's subtle undertones clicked for me. Now I'm on the hunt for a copy for my girls so they can grow up with this book nestled in their subconscious. They can defeat dragons wearing only a paper bag and walk off into the sunset if they so choose.



Rating: G-all ages. Highly recommended.



Date Reviewed: January 11th, 2020



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Who doesn't like Robert Munsch ? I remember reading this book years ago , and was so glad to have a opportunity to read it again. I've always enjoyed his wild, wacky sense of humor and often read his books in my preschool storylines. Kids love them.

This is a classic and I am glad to see that it is getting a special anniversary edition. My favorite part of the book was actually the afterward where the author's wife was talking about how he came up with story. I love little behind the scene glimpses like that. I highly recommend this edition of the book, for that part alone. 4, this takes me back, stars!

My thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd. for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.