Review by Natalie Schembri, The University of Manitoba Book Reviews

“I highly recommend Sir Princess Petra for school, public, and personal library collections. Sir Princess Petra is an empowering story, a delightfully imaginative read and re-read, a tale that invites the reader on a fearless journey towards friendship and self-discovery.” - See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.PLMCBXbP.dpuf ( )

Princess Petra’s birthday request sends the court into a frenzy, but when she agrees to undertake a knight’s quest they can’t stop her. Armed with a cake knife and outfitted in the best royal pots and pans, Petra sets off to face a dragon and win her real armor before encountering a bog witch, and an army of the kingdom’s worst enemies. Will Petra’s kindness and acceptance prove to be more valuable than weapons and armor?

Petra is the Princess of Pen Pieyu. It is September ninth, Petra’s ninth birthday, more appropriately called her “royal birthday.” Her father, the King, tells Petra she can have “anything your heart desires.” So what does a little Princess choose? Diamonds? Jewels? Barbie’s Palace? A Royal Playground? Nope, Petra decides she wants to become a knight. The King tells her she cannot because not only is she a Princess, she is a . . . girl.

“Where is it written that a girl cannot be a knight?” Petra asks. They check the Royal Rulebook and no, nothing about a girl not being a knight. Ah, but to be a knight, Petra must prove she is brave by performing an act of bravery. She chooses to quiet the howling dragon. Petra suits up in her temporary, makeshift armor and heads out to the Forest of Doom to hush Snarls.

Sir Princess Petra is one of those stories that will appeal to most everyone. It is charmingly funny. Petra sets out to prove she has what it takes to be a royal knight and proves she can do nearly anything. Snarls, the howling dragon, is endearing and lovable. If stuffed, sitting on a toy store shelf, every kid would want him. The story is short enough to be read in one sitting, say at bedtime. There are many opportunities for humorous, wacky, high-pitched voices, making Sir Princess Petra fun to read aloud. The author’s imagination is appropriately childlike. Petra is a child every parent will love. I know a child would have sweet, funny dreams after hearing mom or dad read this at bedtime.

The illustrations are pencils drawings with wonderful shading and highlights. Petra is a strong character, yet the artist renders her sweetly, catching the child’s emotions perfectly. Snarls, the nasty, horrifying, dangerous dragon Petra sets out to conquer, looks the part until Petra sways him with her charms, and then helps him escape a predicament no one could expect. It is just one plot twist, which will entertain and amuse the reader. I hope Ms. Robinson continues her Pen Pieyo adventures.

Note: received from author ( )