SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
We all know the fairy tale, a young princess loses her toy and when a frog returns it, he asks to be kissed. When she does kiss him, he becomes a prince. Except in this story, for some reason, our princess becomes a frog as well! Baker must have asked one question: what if the spell didn't work properly? What could cause such a thing?
Emma is a princess who, after kissing a frog who claims to be a prince, turns into a frog herself. The two set off to find the witch who cursed Eadric, the prince. But instead find trouble, in the form of angry witches, friendly and not-so-friendly snakes, and an otter with an eye for shiny objects.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Emma is the princess of Greater Greensward, a little clumsy but determined to avoid marriage to an annoying prince. She often spends her time at the swamp looking for animals or with her Aunt Grassina, a wizard. Although Grassina tries to teach her wizardry, Emma hasn't had much success.
Eadric is the prince of Upper Montevista, who through his own naivete and big mouth, got turned into a frog. He is a little full of himself, but has a good heart, instantly becoming protective of Emma. He takes her under his wing, teaching her to swim and catch flies. It's a running joke that he tries to get her to kiss him all the time.
Grassina is much closer to Emma than her sister, Emma's mother. They both have the same chestnut hair, and Grassina claims that her niece has the ability to be a witch. Not caring much for her appearance, Grassina does not look like a princess, as she wears oversized clothes and doesn't do her hair. When she was younger, her mother turned her fiance into an animal and sent him away. Because of that, she is often sad, although she puts on a good face for Emma.
Queen Chartreuse is often at odds with her daughter. She wants her to marry Prince Jorge and Emma often spends her time avoiding arguing with her.
Lil is a bat that Emma and Eadric meet when they are captured by a witch. She befriends them and comes along with them to meet Grassina, and become another witch's bat. She is hesitant to leave at first but slowly gains confidence.
PACING
We don't jump into the story right away. Emma meets the frog, leaves, and then comes back, only to kiss him. Because the chapters are short we don't have to wait long until she gets turned into a frog and the ball gets rolling. After she turns into a frog, there is a chapter between then and confronting Eadric. I would say those two events, the opening and after being turned into a frog, reveal the pace of the story, not fast, but not slow. Somewhere in the middle.
FORESHADOWING
There are details that seem of no importance to the reader at first that come back to carry an important meaning. For example, when Emma gets turned into a frog, her bracelet slips off, and she witnesses an otter take it. And all throughout the story, a white dog turns up, causing trouble for Emma and Eadric. It seems very random, but it gets explained near the end. Also, Grassina tells a sad story about lost love in the beginning that is easily glossed over, but again, carries importance near the end of the story.
MOOD OF THE STORY
I mentioned the gag about Eadric always wanting a kiss. That pretty much defines the mood of the story. Even though there are dangers they face, the story doesn't go too long before we get a good joke in. Usually the humor is supplied by Eadric. I enjoyed the silly mood as it didn't take from the story, and reminded me that this is written for children, in a good way.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
Most of the character development comes from Emma. She starts believing she can never do magic even though her Aunt says she can. It's only near the end of the story that she suddenly starts to believe in herself, taking the final task into her own hands. But even when she takes the steps to do this, she doesn't magically change personality. She still doubts herself and wonders if she can really change.
As for Eadric, it seems from the get-go that he is fond of Emma. He teaches her all he knows about being a frog and not long after meeting her shows jealousy when a toad shows off to her. As time passes he shows that he is willing to risk his life for hers.
CONCLUSION
I love the sweetness of the characters and the simplicity of the story. It embraces what it is, a fairy tale for children, and doesn't try to be anything else. It continues to make me smile, as I originally read it in my teen years. I give “The Frog Princess” four stars.
What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!
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