Melisande

My very bright 7 year old daughter and her equally bright little sister sidekick adore this book. They have read it together multiple times, go around the house talking about it, and frequently draw pictures of Melisande with miles of hair. It cracks them up.

From one irritated, uninvited guest comes the gift of baldness. From one poorly worded wish comes out of control hair. Add one prince determined to find the solution. Mix in Melisande's need to rescue her island home. How does it turn out? It adds up to an enchanting tale that delights both young and old. I've used the book in elementary classes as well as college classes--both were mesmerized.

This is an excellent book. I have used it for medieval, folk/fairy tale, multiplication, critical thinking, and role playing studies. It is also just a wonderful story for read aloud at home or school. The illustrations are just beautiful.

Melisande is a wonderful combination of traditional fairytale and mathematic logic. It is a favorite of family, both children and adults. We are all very excited that it has finally been reprinted! Children and adults alike will note the allusions to Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel, and will enjoy the humorous trials the princess must go through before the spell is broken and she finally gets to marry the prince. As in all E. Nesbit's books, logic, and the unexpected things that happen when people don't think logically, play an important role in the plot.

I first found this book in second grade at our school library. Now almost ten years later I still check it out from the public library at least 2-3 times a year! Melisande is amazing in the way she thought of her people first, and the Prince has brains. Her parents meant well and almost made it around that problem of forgetting to invite someone to the party. Unfotunately they end up proving that you can't make everyone happy. This book is well worth anyones time!