School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-This installment in the series features Princess Sonora as Sleeping Beauty. The fairies in this fractured tale endow the princess with a few too many gifts at her naming ceremony; not only is she "the smartest human in the world," but she is also "ten times as smart as any human in the world." As a result, Sonora crawls only in perfectly straight lines and perfectly round circles, reminds the Royal Nursemaids to wash behind her ears, and diagnoses her own illnesses. She also refuses to sleep, preferring to spend her evenings reading, or thinking up questions and then answering them-she knows she'll get plenty of sleep during the 100 years promised by the spiteful fairy Belladonna. The more-than-a-little precocious princess decides that she will choose the most opportune moment to prick her finger, thereby putting the castle grounds to sleep. However, things don't go exactly as planned. Levine's witty takeoff is clever and humorous, but without the depth or thorough character development that so distinguished Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997). This amusing, light read will stir children's imaginations and encourage them to explore further the richness of fairy tales.-Robin L. Gibson, Muskingum County Library System, Zanesville, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
This lightweight story manages to embroider very entertainingly on the Sleeping Beauty tale by adding an extra fairy gift (Princess Sonora is so knowledgeable no one can stand to listen to her) and a prince who always wants to know why--specifically, why the sheep in his father's kingdom are going bald. The two are perfect for each other. From HORN BOOK Spring 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6. Levine's retelling of the fairy tale "Sleeping Beauty" has more in common with her hugely successful Ella Enchanted (1997) than with the earlier books in the Princess Tales series: once again, fairies are granting wishes to humorous and thought-provoking effect. In this version, the baby Princess Sonora is not only destined to prick her finger on a spindle but also fated to be 10 times more intelligent than other children. The latter gift turns her into a baby who reads a book while having her diaper changed, apologizing, "I am so sorry to bother you with my elimination." The story unfolds with fine wit and comes to a satisfying conclusion when the one person who won't be bored by Sonora's philosophizing awakens her from her 100 years' sleep. This will make a good, not too long read-aloud. --Susan Dove Lempke
