Publisher's Weekly Review
Ross's pint-size Little Princess wishes that her dad, the King, could be more like other fathers-a ragtag group of palace employees. While the Cook bakes his son elaborate cakes, "even the dog would not eat the famous burned-black cakes that her dad baked." The General teaches his son to ride a pony, but the King is allergic. The Admiral teaches his daughter to swim; the King wears water wings in the bath. The Gardener takes his children on forest adventures, but "the King got lost on his way to bed." Under the tutelage of an overzealous maid, the Little Princess learns to bake, swim, and ride a pony and goes for a nature walk, all with disastrous results, leading her to embrace her dad and all of his humdrum habits. Ross's idiosyncratic royals and distinctive pencil and watercolor art relay the message that there's no father like one's very own. Ages 5-6. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
The Little Princess considers her dad a royal killjoy: he doesn't bake as well as the cook, swim like the admiral, etc. She realizes the king's value only after suffering through cooking, swimming, and other lessons with the maid. Ross continues a successful streak with this latest comic drama for his Little Princess, whose relatability shines through in the chipper, featherweight art. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The Little Princess is jealous of the other dads in the kingdom and the relationships they have with their children.The other dads are taller than the King. The Cook bakes his son fancy cakes; the King's cooking isn't even palatable to the dog. The General's son rides a pony, taught by his father, but the King sneezes around animals. While the King uses water wings in the tub, the Admiral's daughter swims with the fish. And on it goes. When the Little Princess voices her complaints to a servant, the Maid says she can teach her all those things. But the riding lesson ends in a bumped head, baking is a fail, and she swallows too much water learning to swim. Running into her father, the Little Princess proclaims, "Dad, I'm useless." As the two embrace, the King expresses his love and admiration for his daughter, telling her he was so proud to hear of her doing all those exciting things. And so the book ends, the message a little muddy. Two peas in a pod? I love you just the way you are? All of Ross' characters are white with ruddy complexions, though the feelings that the Little Princess expresses in her eponymous series will be recognizable by many.An odd ending note may keep readers from saying "I want it again!" (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
