The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

Readers of all ages will root for a brave young princess who takes on a fierce dragon, wearing nothing but a paper bag, is this captivating celebration of girl power.

Summary

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is a beloved children's book recognized for its innovative approach to traditional gender roles. First published in 1980, this tale of a courageous princess and her journey of self-discovery has received widespread critical acclaim and an endorsement from the National Organization for Women. In 2005, a 25th Anniversary Edition was released, providing insights into the story's creation and its global impact. More recently, plans for a high-profile film adaptation were announced, with Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Banks set to produce.

Plot

The story of The Paper Bag Princess begins with its titular heroine. Princess Elizabeth is preparing to marry the handsome Prince Ronald. Their plans are disrupted when a dragon attacks the castle, burning it down along with all of Elizabeth's possessions. The dragon then kidnaps Prince Ronald, leaving Elizabeth with nothing but a paper bag to wear.

Undeterred, Elizabeth sets out to rescue Ronald from the dragon. She tracks the dragon to its lair and devises a clever plan. Elizabeth challenges the dragon to prove its strength by performing feats like flying around the world and breathing fire. The dragon eagerly complies, not realizing that Elizabeth's true aim is to tire it out.

After the dragon exhausts itself and falls asleep, Elizabeth enters its cave to rescue Ronald. However, upon freeing him, Ronald's reaction is far from what she expected. Instead of thanking Elizabeth, he criticizes her appearance and tells her to come back when she looks more like a proper princess.

Shocked by Ronald's shallow and ungrateful attitude, Elizabeth has a change of heart. She realizes that Ronald is not worth her efforts after all. The Paper Bag Princess concludes with Elizabeth deciding to leave Ronald behind, rejecting his expectations of how a princess should look and act. She dances off into the sunset alone, empowered by her own strength and self-worth.