Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover

by Josh Schneider, Josh Schneider (Illustrator)

Overview

Amelia and her dog are best friends . . . until Princess Sparkle-Heart comes along. Soon, Amelia and Princess Sparkle-Heart are doing everything together: having tea parties, attending royal weddings, keeping each other's secrets.
     Princess Sparkle-Heart may be an awesome princess doll—but is she any match for a jealous canine?
     Look out, Princess Sparkle-Heart!
     This witty parable of sibling rivalry has all the giggle-inducing visual detail and kid-appeal of the author's previous work, plus an unexpected twist that makes for a satisfyingly delicious ending.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544141421
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/01/2014
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	4 MB
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Josh Schneider is the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award-winning creator of Tales for Very Picky Eaters and many popular picture books, including Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover, Everybody Sleeps (But Not Fred), and Kid Amazing vs. The Blob. His first book, You'll Be Sorry, was named "Book That Provides Best Ammunition to Parents Weary of Warning Their Kids About Socking Their Siblings" by Publishers Weekly magazine. Josh lives in Chicago with his wife, Dana.

Editorial Reviews

* "With deadpan writing and subtle details that let each spread tell a story of its own, Schneider delivers another winner."
—Publisher's Weekly, starred review

* "Schneider’s playful take on the beauty makeover upends expectations with comedic—and powerful—results."
—Kirkus, starred review

"Pink-glitter bubble type on the cover belies the edgy, slightly bizarre, and all-the-more-fun-for-it story about a twosome stretching to become a threesome...Lessons taught and learned, this is tail-wagging fun for all but the most sensitive."
—Booklist

"The sparkly pink cover will instantly attract readers to this heartwarming tale of friendship and creative resiliency."
—School Library Journal

"Schneider's clear, concise writing is punctuated by amusing understatement."
—Bulletin —

From the Publisher

★ 2014-03-03
Schneider's playful take on the beauty makeover upends expectations with comedic—and powerful—results. When Amelia receives Princess Sparkle-Heart, the girl and doll become fast friends. From dancing and tea parties to weddings and secrets, they share almost everything—much to the chagrin of the family dog. Growling and glowering his way across spreads, the canine has it in for the doll. So it's no surprise when tragedy strikes and Sparkle-Heart is torn to shreds. But all is not lost, as Amelia and her mom make the doll anew. With extra stuffing for "protection," a few extra button eyes (because it's hard to choose "just two"), some "good teeth" and a comic-book–inspired outfit, the transformation is complete. After a suspenseful makeover reveal, it's clear Amelia adores her now-monsterlike doll more than ever—and in that moment, Schneider redefines beauty and what is "princess." Meticulous pen, ink and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture Amelia's emotions; she is reminiscent of Pippi Longstocking, with her red, statement hairdo, blue denim overalls and plucky personality. Cinematic illustrations play with proportion and perspective, echoing the work of comic-book luminaries Geof Darrow and Moebius. A clever cover, with its curvy, bedazzled, pink title splashed across the page, acts as a beacon to the princess-obsessed, while craft-licious lettering toward the bottom hints at the tale's interior. A testament to the joy of creation and a celebration of a different kind of beauty—sparkling indeed. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews