Princess Penelope's Parrot

As a kindergarten teacher, I am always looking for books that teach as well as entertain. Helen Lester delivers just this in her story about a very spoiled princess named Penelope and her parrot that she receives as a birthday present. Penelope does not speak nicely to the bird, and is angered when the bird will not speak to her. Penelope later learns how important it is to use "nice words" when speaking to others because her words come back(as the voice of the parrot) to haunt her in front of a prince she wishes to impress. The story is cleverly written in a language that the children identify with and the pictures match the story completely and are as equally amusing. My class loves this book and begs to hear it over and over. This is one of Helen Lester's best books, and is definitely a must have! If a five year old want to read it, it has to be wonderful!