Disney Princess the Essential Guide, New Edition

my girls absolutely book. our first book my 1 yr. old tore up so i eventually got another one - we loved it this much.

I ordered this book because of an excellent recommendation from a friend. The DISNEY PRINCESS: THE DK ESSENTIAL GUIDE is a must have for any young princess fan. However, although my daughters don't know it, I bought this book for me. As with any DK Guide, The DISNEY PRINCESS: THE DK ESSENTIAL GUIDE is logically laid out; there is a section devoted to each of the top eight Disney Princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Mulan, and Pochahontas. In each Princess's section, their histories, favorite things, friends and enemies, worlds, Princes, and stories are all succinctly summarized. Using this quick and easy reference guide, you will immediately become an expert on all things related to Disney Princesses. But this book is more than just your average reference guide. It sparkles and glitters. It is filled will lovely drawings, many from the original animated prints. Vivid, warm colors fill the pages as you move through each Princess's world. DISNEY PRINCESS: THE DK ESSENTIAL GUIDE is truly a tribute to Disney's vast history of gorgeous animation. My daughters now think I am very cool, because I can arbitrarily rattle off dozens of princess facts. I am really having lots of fun with this one. Perhaps I will let them in on my secret when they are older, and have young princesses of their own.

Ariel. Aurora. Belle. Jasmine. Snow White. Cinderella. Say any one of these names and many little girls will sigh over any one of their stories. Princess tales are the stories of dreams come true. (Note: This book is currently unavailable. Perhaps that is a good thing--to prevent cruel stories of a prince coming to rescue us. As if that is going to happen when in reality that prince often turns out to be the ogre in disguise. Never mind. Back to the lovely little book.) The fabulous DK publisher has set up "Princess: The Essential Guide" as a scrapbook, or memory book, of these lovely girls, who each have completely individual identities. Please follow this description of one princess to learn the type of book this is. Belle. My personal favorite. The only princess with brown hair. (Normally, as a redhead, I choose the redheads. However, I do not like the idea that a mermaid envies life on land and wants to discard her essence to fit in.) On the other hand, Belle, out of deep love for her father, is willing to sacrifice her happiness to live in the castle with a beast. The first two pages about Belle outline the basic story and describe Belle's character and interests. The next two describe and provide illustrations of Belle's world. The map of the village and outlying areas are the most striking section. This is true of each of the princess maps. Then the last two pages outline how Belle learns to love the Beast. Ah, if only this principle were true in real life. Think of how many less than beautiful men and women would have the opportunity to love and be loved. This is a beautiful book. Since it is no longer available, you will not be forced to consider adding this book to your daughter's library and continue presenting such impossible dreams. What? You think I'm a cynic? Yes, I am, but I well remember what a friend recently told me. "My daughter's just a little girl. If she wants to believe in dreams, let her. Reality will come soon enough." Well said.

This is a cute book for a younger Disney princess lover. It is not very long and is not set-up as stories to read (other than a short synopsis introducing each princess)but rather random facts about each character. For $10, it isn't so much for a large hardcover book your toddler will love to flip through on occasion. If you are looking for princess stories to read together, try another book.

My 3yr old daughter found this book at the library and loved it! She hadn't been too exposed to the whole Disney Princess thing until then and this book caused her to become obessed with them! We bought her the book and in the last 6 months that she has had it she looks at it almost everyday. I would definately recommend this book to any little girl. It covers 6 different Disney Princesses and devotes at least 4 pages to each. It is easy to read out loud and you can pick and choose what parts to read. I am giving one to our 2 yr old niece for Christmas!