An absolute classic. Beautiful illustrations and a spunky protagonist make this a fun twist on more traditional fairytale books for children.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Classic Munsch. This story is a classic and the fact that they're celebrating a 40th anniversary proves it. Love the pictures and the story.

There is nothing new to say about this brilliant... BRILLIANT book. A badass princess who isn't going to settle for some stinky rude prince. This was what I needed and admired when I was a kid and it was the first book I bought my daughter when she started to read. I think that we need MORE books like this and the legacy that Robert Munsch created with his characters.

Munsch's princess story has been so celebrated over the last 40 years that I struggle to think of anything to add that would be new, different or significant. The reality is this is a beloved story, especially by girls, for a reason. It's the damsel in distress flipped upside down.

I'm currently nearly forty. Munsch (a fellow Canadian today; although born in the USA) has been a huge influence on my life. Not just with his well-known stories like Paper Bag Princess but also with lesser known titles including (a personal favourite) called A Promise is a Promise. The great thing about Munsch is that, just as when I was a child and his books were at the height of their popularity, each story is just as relevant today to an adult as it was then. The morals, themes, and concepts in Munsch's writing translate to all ages, languages, and cultures (fairly) universally.

This 40th anniversary edition is gorgeous. It features notes from other writers, an alternate cover, and truly feels like a nostalgic piece that is worthy of being next to my (very tattered) childhood copy. You cannot go wrong with gifting this feminist, girl power story to any child (including a boy!). I hope one day that this story will be irrelevant as gender equality becomes more 50/50; but for now it's a perfect break from archetypes to show that girls can be just as clever (if not more) than anyone.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

What can I say about this classic story that hasn't already been said? It's a delight no matter how many times I've read it, and is a refreshing change to the "damsel-in-distress" trope, because this princess can not only save herself but can save the prince as well. This 40th anniversary edition contains new forewords by Chelsea Clinton and Francesca Segal about the impact the story has had on generations of readers, and an afterword by Robert and Ann Munsch, giving insight into how the story came to be, and suggestions on "performing" the book during read-alouds. Definitely a must have!

#ThePaperBagPrincess40thanniversaryedition #NetGalley

Cute story about a little princess who learns to use her brains to outside a dragon and save her future prince of a husband.
In the end she learns to thing outside of the box and to stand up for herself!

This picture book is 40 years old and was before it's time. It tells a story of a princess that doesn't give a darn about normal princess story things she is going to stand up for herself save g
her prince from the dragon and when her prince doesn't appreciate her she is going to tell him where to go. It sends an excellent message to every princess loving little child.

This is a classic! In todays day and age it is even more important for girls to know it is ok to be themselves and not change themselves for a boy!

I love this book! I have gifted it to dozens of friends and family members with children - both male and female. The message of women can do anything, and don't need a man to save them is one both genders should realize. This book opened up my love of Mucsch as an author. Everything he writes kids love. I have made sure all the libraries I have worked for have a copy of this book. The best of the best.

I haven't read The Paper Bag Princess in years, so when I was able to get the 40th-anniversary edition for free via NetGalley, I was really excited. It is definitely different than I remember it, but it is still a good book and a classic read for any child.

A dragon comes and destroys Elizabeth's castle and takes Prince Ronald. She can only find a paper bag to wear, so she puts it on and goes to find the prince. Once she is at the door to the dragon's cave, she tricks the dragon into using all his fire and flying around so much that he is so tired and falls asleep. Elizabeth rescues Prince Ronald, but he doesn't want anything to do with her because of how she looks. Elizabeth then tells Prince Ronald off and skips away happily.

I think this is a great story about showing how to trick someone who is bigger and meaner than you to rescue someone. It kind of reminds me of The Gruffalo in that sense. I liked how Elizabeth didn't put up with Prince Ronald; however, I don't support showing our children that it's okay to call other's names. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout the book, and I loved how the dragon was portrayed.

If you remember The Paper Bag Princess from your childhood and want to share this classic book with them, I think it is great, and the message is still relevant. I would recommend this book for 3 to 8 year-olds, or the board book for babies and toddlers. I compared the 40th-anniversary version to the original, and there were not a lot of differences. Just the font seemed to be slightly different.

Such an amazing classic. I’m a big fan of Robert Munsch’s books. I read them growing up and have read them to my daughter since she was born. They’re so much fun. This 40th anniversary edition is a must have!
Thank you to Netgalley and Annick Press for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I recently received a copy of the fortieth-anniversary edition of The Paper Bag Princess from Annick Press through Netgalley. I am so excited to see that there's a new edition of the book to bring to new generations of Elizabeths (whether that is the name of the children reading it or not). All children, regardless of gender, can learn the vital messages the story offers up, whether it be from Elizabeth's triumphs, or from the failures of Ronald and the dragon alike. 

This new edition of the story offers up two introductory pieces, one from Chelsea Clinton and one from Francesca Segal, and an afterword from Ann and Robert Munsch.  The afterword is perhaps my favourite addition, offering insight into how the story came to be--including a tale of performances of the story that invited eager dads to play the dragon that reminded me of my own dad. The introductory pieces offer up some deeply relatable passages about the ways in which The Paper Bag Princess has impacted generations, especially generations of girls. I do really wish that these introductions had steered away from the cisnormative boy/girl dichotomy, particularly the firm gender roles of girls learning from Elizabeth and boys learning from Ronald, but there's still something to be gleaned from them. 

The Paper Bag Princess is a lifelong favourite picture book for me, and it remains such to this day. "

This is an adorable book and telling a story of the kind of princess most parents want their daughter to grow into. This story will be read over and over again to our daughter!

A classic feminist book which is even better when read with the Novel Effect app which provides sound effects and background music to the reading experience. I read this book again and again and always make sure that my students hear it once a year too!

What an absolutely beautiful and inspirational story! I first read this book in college for an ethics course, once upon a time, long ago. Not only was the story feminine-positive and written well but the art was as superb as I remember it. I might go out and buy this one just to have it around and reread it on occasions or to my future children. Thank you publishers for allowing me to read and review this children’s book.

Robert Munsch's classic The Paper Bag Princess has been re-released in celebration of its 40th anniversary. This book tells the story of Elizabeth, a beautiful princess who lives in a castle. Elizabeth planes to marry Ronald and live happily ever; however, disaster happens when a large fierce dragon attacks her fine castle and kidnaps her beloved Ronald. Elizabeth's castle is in ruins and the only thing she can find to wear is a singed paper bag. For some princesses, this would be devastating, but Elizabeth is determined to find the dragon and save Ronald. She follows the path of devastation the dragon has left in its wake and comes to the lair of the dragon. Will she be able to save Ronald from the dragon?
I simply adore Elizabeth as a character. Forty years ago, Elizabeth didn't need saving and was her own heroine. This was a very different take on a fairy tale and was very empowering for young girls to read that females are intelligent, strong, and can take care of themselves. She is a very positive female role model and her story is just a relevant in today's world as it was 40 years ago.

I loved The Paper Bag Princess as a child; it was easily one of my favorite books..so much so, I even incorporated it into an essay I wrote for 12th grade English! Getting to read the 40th Anniversary edition, with the additional pieces about the origin of this story and what it meant for other readers, was so special and helped me relive the magic of this story all over again.

While it might appear simple in nature, The Paper Bag Princess is a call for all women and girls to stand up, be our own heroes, and leave behind anyone that would try to tear us down!

Robert Munsch's charming children's classic The Paper Bag Princess has been re-released for it's 40th-anniversary, and this commemorative edition is sure to please those who grew up loving Elizabeth's story as well as make new fans from younger generations.
This story has stood the test of time so well; everything from the original drawings to the storyline feels relevant today, both important and engaging for young readers. The book is feminist, empowering, and teaches kids to think of creative ways to slay the dragons in their life and to not waste your time on those who don't see the magic within you.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for the advance copy.

This story was clearly ahead of its time. I love the script flip and my daughters laughed at the princess’ cleverness.

The paper bag princess is a delightful classic! It’s definitely does not disappoint!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.