So when her father decides to invite the entire kingdom to watch the test flight of his new flying machine (his six previous flying machines all crashed), there is no one to prepare the one hundred cupcakes, clean the castle and tidy the gardens but the princess. It looks like she's not going to have time to attend the ball hosted by the prince of the neighbouring kingdom after all.
Unfortunately, while the princess might not be much good at being a normal princess, she's also not much good at being a baker. Batch after batch of cupcakes are either dropped, burnt or turn out hard as rocks. And the young man who answers her advert for a gardener doesn't seem to have much clue either, as he sets about cutting the lawn with his penknife. Perhaps if she makes a wish to her fairy godmother things might improve?
Ursula Jones' very clever text is perfectly paired with Sarah Gibb's delightful illustrations — the silhouettes that appear on alternating spreads are simply stunning. This has been a regular bedtime favourite in our house since it arrived and I'm not surprised. It's a picture book that any little princess will adore!
Title: The Princess Who Had No Fortune
Author: Ursula Jones
Illustrator: Sarah Gibb
Publisher: Orchard, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: November 2014
Format: Hardcover with jacket
ISBN: 9781408312766
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book
