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The Princess and the Pit Stop
Once upon a time there was a Princess . . .
. . . who made a pit stop.
While the Birds and Beasts changed her tires, her Fairy Godmother told her she was in last place! With just one lap left! She might as well give up!
Give up? Not THIS princess! Instead, she hit the gas!
Join Her Royal Highness in the driver’s seat for a mad dash to the finish in this exciting ode to auto racing. With appearances by fairy tale favorites including the Tortoise and the Hare, the Frog Prince, and ALL of the Wicked Witches, this rollicking mash-up of race cars and royalty is a true celebration of both girl power and horsepower.
. . . who made a pit stop.
While the Birds and Beasts changed her tires, her Fairy Godmother told her she was in last place! With just one lap left! She might as well give up!
Give up? Not THIS princess! Instead, she hit the gas!
Join Her Royal Highness in the driver’s seat for a mad dash to the finish in this exciting ode to auto racing. With appearances by fairy tale favorites including the Tortoise and the Hare, the Frog Prince, and ALL of the Wicked Witches, this rollicking mash-up of race cars and royalty is a true celebration of both girl power and horsepower.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published July 10, 2018
About the author
Tom Angleberger
66 books760 followersTom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 27, 2018
I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. As stories go, it's really thin. The gimmick is the fairy tale characters that the princess passes on her way to the finish line. The verbs are all tied in with their respective characters, which is cute (e.g., she leapt past the rabbits, spun out Rumpelstiltskin, charged past the knight, etc.). The ending made me smile (I won't spoil it for you, but it involves yet another fairy tale character).
The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. Though the style is a bit different, the plays on words and the colourful landscape (and the subject matter) really reminded me of Wreck-It Ralph, only not as Disney-fied.
So, this was entertaining enough for a quick read, but it doesn't seem like something you'd want to read again and again... unless you like looking at the pictures. The book seems more like a gimmick than a real story.
The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. Though the style is a bit different, the plays on words and the colourful landscape (and the subject matter) really reminded me of Wreck-It Ralph, only not as Disney-fied.
So, this was entertaining enough for a quick read, but it doesn't seem like something you'd want to read again and again... unless you like looking at the pictures. The book seems more like a gimmick than a real story.
August 13, 2018
Who says race cars are for boys? The princess puts the petal to the metal in this colorful, fast-paced, comedic race to the finish line. The Princess and the Pit Stop features myriad characters from well-known fairy tales like the wolf & the three little pigs ("She blew the doors off the Big Bad Wolf and smoke the Three Little Pigs") and the gingerbread man ("She CAN catch me!").
August 26, 2018
The illustrations are wonderful, but the story is lacking.
July 10, 2018
Seems cute but kind of pointless. I'm all for princesses being race car drivers, don't get me wrong, but I guess I was expecting a point, or a snappy conclusion or something, and there doesn't seem to be one.
September 7, 2018
How could I resist this book when I saw it? A princess? Auto racing? A cover that promised some awesome illustrations.
I just love princess stories, heck, even my blog name is Twirling Book Princess (though that mostly has to do with my fiance). I was definitely interested in seeing how a princess + auto racing would come together and fit together.
From the first page I was hooked. I mean come on, her pit stop team was a caterpillar (Alice in Wonderland?), a fairy Godmother, a dwarf, a hare, and a pig. It was fun that the book didn't start with the start of the race instead taking us much further into the race, having the princess at the last place. Oh my!
It was so much fun seeing her pass all kinds of fairy tales, with a rainbow tail to have people remember her. The author did a terrific job on making the story engaging, fun, and hilarious. Though sure, I have to say at times it was a tiny bit repetitive, but generally I was curious to see what she would pass next and what kind of text (and imagery) would accompany it.
I loved that there were appearances from other fairy tales. Humpty Dumpty, Three Bears, Wizard of Oz, Withes from Hansel and Gretel, and many many others. They are all in this race and they are all in it to win it. I hadn't expected them to actually be part of the race, oh no, I actually thought our princess would just race past their respective countries/stories. I am glad that the author decided to make them competitors in the same race.
We already knew this was inspired on Indiana 500 (or something like that), but the ending was even more like that. Normally, I wouldn't know this as I don't want that stuff (I love the cars and the idea of fast cars, but not the races as they get boring fast), but my father in law watched quite a bit of it during our vacation. :P
The art is just fabulous, it is dynamic, fun, and the artist just captures the motion and fastness of the cars perfectly. Plus I just adore the style.
All in all, a terrific book that I would highly recommend if you are looking for a princess story with something different from the normal ones, no glitter here, just grit and awesome driving.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just love princess stories, heck, even my blog name is Twirling Book Princess (though that mostly has to do with my fiance). I was definitely interested in seeing how a princess + auto racing would come together and fit together.
From the first page I was hooked. I mean come on, her pit stop team was a caterpillar (Alice in Wonderland?), a fairy Godmother, a dwarf, a hare, and a pig. It was fun that the book didn't start with the start of the race instead taking us much further into the race, having the princess at the last place. Oh my!
It was so much fun seeing her pass all kinds of fairy tales, with a rainbow tail to have people remember her. The author did a terrific job on making the story engaging, fun, and hilarious. Though sure, I have to say at times it was a tiny bit repetitive, but generally I was curious to see what she would pass next and what kind of text (and imagery) would accompany it.
I loved that there were appearances from other fairy tales. Humpty Dumpty, Three Bears, Wizard of Oz, Withes from Hansel and Gretel, and many many others. They are all in this race and they are all in it to win it. I hadn't expected them to actually be part of the race, oh no, I actually thought our princess would just race past their respective countries/stories. I am glad that the author decided to make them competitors in the same race.
We already knew this was inspired on Indiana 500 (or something like that), but the ending was even more like that. Normally, I wouldn't know this as I don't want that stuff (I love the cars and the idea of fast cars, but not the races as they get boring fast), but my father in law watched quite a bit of it during our vacation. :P
The art is just fabulous, it is dynamic, fun, and the artist just captures the motion and fastness of the cars perfectly. Plus I just adore the style.
All in all, a terrific book that I would highly recommend if you are looking for a princess story with something different from the normal ones, no glitter here, just grit and awesome driving.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 26, 2018
A princess in a car race refuses to give up. The illustrations are overwhelming and the bulk of the test are clever ways to say how she passes/defeats each of the other fairy tale race car drivers. It doesn't feel very original or memorable. It's simply not enough to put a princess in a race car and say it's clever because "princesses don't typically drive race cars." A good story is required, too.
July 25, 2018
Santat's illustrations are bright and colorful to support the story line. The princess learns she's in last place in the final lap of the race when she makes her pit stop. She could have given up but decided to show determination and try to win the race. She passes all of the other fairy tale characters in the race and does win.
The story line was weaker than I expected.
The story line was weaker than I expected.
June 7, 2018
The best part (besides the classic Santat illustrations) are the verbs Angleberger uses as the Princess leaves all the fairytale characters in the dust.
July 13, 2018
Cute idea, but there was no plot, just the princess driving her race car past all the fairy-tale / nursery rhyme characters. Santat's illustrations are the best part of this.
July 21, 2018
Eh. Nothing really happened. The illustrations were fun but didn't carry the book.
June 24, 2019
A clever book with heaps of funny references to fairy tale characters, and excellent vivid illustrations. That princess sure can drive! And do donuts.
July 31, 2018
A princess drives in a race with nursery rhyme & fairytale characters. Unfortunately, nothing actually happens.
October 1, 2018
Fantastic illustrations, not much conflict ( I know it's a kid book, but it's even light for that).
January 25, 2020
This book had such potential but was a complete dud. I read it aloud to first graders and they were completely unimpressed.
December 7, 2019
Interest Level: K-3; Reading Level: 2.8
When you are losing do you give up? Never! Princess made a pit stop and found out that she is in last place with only one lap to go. The odds are not in her favor but does she give up? No! She hits the gas and starts to go. She passes Humpty Dumpty, all the king's horses, and all the king's men. She passed the Wicked Witches, Hansel & Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, the Seven Dwarfs, and even Snow White. The Ugly Stepsisters stand between her and the finish line. Does Princess have what it takes to go from zero to hero? Read this precious story about never giving up and enjoy the incredible illustrations that make the story come to life! This is a must read!
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When you are losing do you give up? Never! Princess made a pit stop and found out that she is in last place with only one lap to go. The odds are not in her favor but does she give up? No! She hits the gas and starts to go. She passes Humpty Dumpty, all the king's horses, and all the king's men. She passed the Wicked Witches, Hansel & Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, the Seven Dwarfs, and even Snow White. The Ugly Stepsisters stand between her and the finish line. Does Princess have what it takes to go from zero to hero? Read this precious story about never giving up and enjoy the incredible illustrations that make the story come to life! This is a must read!
Follow me:
Blog - Blazer Tales - https://blazertales.com/
Facebook - Laurie’s Library Place - https://www.facebook.com/LauriesLibra...
Instagram - laurieslibrary - https://www.instagram.com/laurieslibr...
Twitter - @laurieevans27 https://twitter.com/laurieevans27?lan...
Goodreads - Laurie Purser - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/auburngirl2...
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCulD...
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-ev...
July 25, 2018
Super cute picture book about a princess who refused to give up. The text is funny (a lot of puns related to nursery rhymes, I hope younger readers will get them all) and the illustrations are vibrant and attractive.
September 10, 2018
Dan Santat for the win here. Love that rainbow trail behind the Princess!!
January 21, 2019
Great artwork by Dan Santat, but the story leaves a bit to be desired.
March 23, 2019
Dynamic illustrations and loads of intertextual references!
April 1, 2019
Girl power/princess power abounds in this come from behind racing story! Love all the fairy tale characters and how they are passed with verbs to match their situation/character traits. This could make or break a read aloud, depending on audience fairy tale background. Ending falls flat, I don’t think I get it. Be sure to check out the case cover art!
May 2, 2019
This is a great quick book for kids who are familiar with a wide variety of fairy tale characters, otherwise I don't think the reader will enjoy it as much.
September 11, 2018
Cute, but I feel like this would have been more fun if it had a little bit more story and a little less fairy tale name dropping. I wanted to know more about Princess' skills!
November 15, 2018
On the final lap of a turbo-charged car race, the Princess has to make a pit stop. According to her Fairy Godmother she is in last place and has no chance of winning so she might as well give up.
Presented as a race commentary, the excitement builds rapidly in this anarchic tale of a feisty, indomitable young princess. With full-colour graphics in the style of a computer game or comic book, it’s the pictures that do much of the storytelling in a celebration of both girl power and horsepower
Presented as a race commentary, the excitement builds rapidly in this anarchic tale of a feisty, indomitable young princess. With full-colour graphics in the style of a computer game or comic book, it’s the pictures that do much of the storytelling in a celebration of both girl power and horsepower
October 3, 2018
Great illustrations but a tad boring, IMO. But a kid might like it better.
August 20, 2018
Pictures were awesome; text, meh.
April 30, 2019
This was terrible. The only reason I'm giving an extra star is because the illustrations are very good. The story is nonexistent. A princess is in last place on the last lap and her pit stop crew tell her she should just give up! But she says no and passes everybody, why didn't see do that before if she could? It makes a TON of fairy tale references that are just pandering and makes you think it's telling an enlightened 2019 story about how girls can do anything they set their mind to. But it's wrong and it's dumb and I hate it.
July 7, 2020
The book was so long yet boring and nothing happen.
The answer to your problems is magic? All the cars are going at the same speed yet this one shoots passed them all, for no reason at all.
Illustration were great, had high hope. The book should have been great. Ingredients were there, but this is a dud.
How can two people who have won so many awards create this?
Really disappointed to have to write so harshly about this book. The blurb on the inside of the cover got me excited, then it all disappeared instantly from there.
The answer to your problems is magic? All the cars are going at the same speed yet this one shoots passed them all, for no reason at all.
Illustration were great, had high hope. The book should have been great. Ingredients were there, but this is a dud.
How can two people who have won so many awards create this?
Really disappointed to have to write so harshly about this book. The blurb on the inside of the cover got me excited, then it all disappeared instantly from there.
August 4, 2018
Here's the thing -- I didn't like this book because I just don't get cars. I really like this illustrator, and yet, all the cars looked the same (for the most part), and the way the characters were rendered didn't make me want to look at them. Why should I care about this car race? Does that matter? I'm not sure. This book just isn't a book for me, but it will deservedly appeal to others.
August 15, 2018
The use of the different fairy tale characters is clever, but overall it is Vanellope of Wreck it Ralph with every "twisted fairy tale pun" possible. Clever illustrations and great colors help this book to be a more fun read.
August 16, 2018
Fantastic fractured fairy tale book for fans of race cars and racing.
The artwork was great - especially love the rainbow that comes out of the princess's car.
The kids really loved this one and voted to give it 5 stars.
The artwork was great - especially love the rainbow that comes out of the princess's car.
The kids really loved this one and voted to give it 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews