The Plain Princess by Phyllis McGinley

The Plain Princess Reviews

• 
  Emma

  I've read this over and over and I never get tired of it! 🥰
• 
  Cheryl

  Less appeal nowadays, I suppose, because it's so earnest as to be almost didactic, and of course because we don't say that people are 'plain' much less 'homely' or 'ugly' any more. And I prefer Andersen's
  The Swineherd myself.
  
  But it's still a nice story, with an important message (all too relevant as now too many parents do spoil our children), and delightful illustrations. Try your university library.
• 
  Jessica

  Read this one aloud to my seven yr old daughter in one sitting (she wouldn't let me stop). She was enthralled. I loved the chances it opened up to have conversations on important subjects for young girls (do your looks really matter that much? What are they reflective of? What really changed for the princess and how?).
• 
  Cheryl Higgins

  For children but GREAT. Loved it in 4th grade and read it to classes.
• 
  Samantha Naud

  Great writing. Your classic story of the spoiled girl who gains true beauty when she learns to live an unselfish life. Short book for early readers.
• 
  Boweavil

  One of the first books I ever read. The beginning of a lifelong passion.
• 
  Laura Roberts

  Found this one through inter-library loans, and it was an interesting find! I discovered Phyllis McGinley via her poetry, but was curious to read some of her children's books, such as this one (as well as the aptly named "Boys Are Awful").
  
  The Plain Princess is, as you may have guessed, about a princess who is very ordinary looking. She's got quite an attitude when the prince who's supposed to be hanging on her every move runs off to play with the gardener's child at her birthday party, and throws a royal tantrum. Her parents, the king and queen, realize something must be done... but what?
  
  So her parents offer a reward to anyone who can improve the princess' looks, but the king also threatens all those who attempt to claim the reward with beheading if they fail. Oddly enough, only one woman comes forward to give it a try. She's got five beautiful daughters of her own, and suggests she may be able to improve the princess's looks – but only if she comes to live with them for a while.
  
  I'll let you guess what happens (or read it for yourself), but let's just say this fairy tale ends happily.
• 
  Teri

  I really love this story and think it makes a great lesson for children. It is about a princess who has almost everything as far as material possessions, but her physical appearance is described as "plain." I will not divulge what happens to her that increases her beauty, but it makes for a fun story and a good lesson. It is a hard book to find for a good price. It is out of print. I feel so lucky that I bid on a copy on eBay and got a good deal. I had been looking for this book for awhile. My copy is a discarded book from the library.
• 
  Katie

  I loved this so much, such a sweet, quick read with my 7 & 4 year old daughters. I believe I heard Cindy Rollins recommend it, and I was lucky to find a copy through our library system.
• 
  Katharine

  Read in one sitting. R and N loved it.
• 
  Deirdre

  I decided to read this book because it was sitting on my library shelf, and I wanted to see whether it would still be relevant or attractive to today's little girls. I'd actually never heard of it before, even though it's been around for ages! And I loved some of
  Phyllis McGinley's other books when I was little, especially
  A Wreath of Christmas Legends.
  
  My verdict? Though not a great book, this is charming, and will appeal to girls who enjoy old fashioned stories and fairy tales. I'd actually rate it somewhere between a 3 and a 4, but I'm following my usual review practice of rating high, rather than low.
  
  A note: Personally, I loved the book design and illustrations -- but the cover, in particular, would look very old and unattractive to many modern children. I can think of several kids who would enjoy the story, though, if they could get past that.
• 
  Debbie

  "The Plain Princess" is a children's picture book. It's a fun little book about how a spoiled, disagreeable child is viewed as plain, but as she learns to be helpful and unselfish, she becomes "beautiful." It's a nice lesson and an entertaining sequence of events illustrated with colorful drawings. It's probably not easy to find, but I do recommend this enjoyable story.
• 
  Hope

  Unlike The Ordinary Princess (by M.M. Kaye) who learns to appreciate her non-regal appearance, this plain princess goes through a physical change for the better as she matures. BUT this is not a book about the importance of outward beauty. Quite the opposite. Charming.
• 
  Lucinda

  a princess learns that beauty comes from within. Actually, from without, how we work and love others. a great little book.
• 
  Kara

  Beautifully illustrated book about a sour and snobbish princess who discovers beauty through kindness
• 
  Kari

  My siblings and I felt very much like the Goodwit daughters when we heard this as kids. We had the story though, not the play.
• 
  Elaine Cooper

  Like the ethical values of the characters, they were very nice to one another.
• 
  Kelly

  A short morality tale about a plain, spoiled, rude princess who learns how to be kind, cheerful, and hard-working. Her attitude and actions transform her outer self and she becomes beautiful.