A cute little rugabee - a creature that lives in caves deep underground, subsisting on krinkle nuts - longs to be a princess in this rhyming picture-book. Not content with her dark cave home, she sneaks up to the human castle high on the hill, and into the princesses' room, where she is caught trying on their pretty dresses. When discovered, the princesses pretend to help the little rugabee in her attempt to become one of them, but in reality, it is all part of a cruel joke. Fleeing home, the poor little creature is understandably distraught. Will she aid the unkind princesses, when they are threatened by a truly monstrous wiffle...?

I enjoyed this original fairy-tale, with its message of self-worth, and being true to your own inner vision of wright and wrong, immensely. The rhyming text by D.J. MacHale, better known for his Pendragon series of middle-grade fantasy novels, reads very well, and would make an excellent story-time selection, I believe, especially for slightly older picture-book audiences ready for somewhat longer stories. The watercolor artwork by Alexandra Boiger, illustrator of the wonderful Tallulah picture-books by Marilyn Singer, about a young would-be ballerina, are absolutely adorable, capturing the cute but somehow also monstrous charm of the eponymous heroine. Recommended to anyone looking for original fairy-tales, for picture-books in rhyme, or for children's stories about learning to accept yourself for who you are. ( )

28 months - I wanted to love this one, a new and refreshing take on a fairy tale but in the end the story and illustrations were just ok. ( )

Summary: The Monster Princess is about Lala, a creature called a Rugabee, a crinkle-dugger who wants to be a princess. They live below the earth, near a castle where three little princesses live. One day, she travels up for an adventure. She sneaks into the castle and dresses up when the three princesses are gone, but she stays for too long and gets caught. The three young girls decide to help her, and clean her up to take her to the ball. But it was a trick, and Lala was heartbroken. The next day she saves the princesses from a terrible monster, and they tell her they were wrong, and that she is a princess, but now Lala has accepted that she is a gnome, and is proud of it.

Personal Reaction: This was such a great and cute story. It is really good for helping kids to realize that they should be proud of what and who they are, even if it’s not what they thought was the best thing to be at first.

Classroom Extensions:
1. Create puppets, or get dress-up clothes, and have the kids reenact the story.
2. Let the kids create their own characters, a monster or a princess, and then retell the story with their new characters.

Exquisite illustrations and an absolutely delightful tale. Great for girls with a bit of a mischevious streak! ( )

The Monster Princess by DJ MacHale and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger is a picture book that appeals to both my princess loving daughter and my monster loving son. Lala, is a talented Rugabee. She, though, is disatisfied with her life underground, especially when there is a castle full of princesses so near by.

So Lala decides to become a princess. She manages to convince the princesses to help her. She's loaned a dress and invited to the ball. She, though, hasn't had enough practice dressing in such fancy attire and things don't go well for her.

Although the ball isn't a success, Lala manages to get herself together and redeem herself. She's able to put her unique skills to use to save the princesses and find her place.

Alexandra Boiger's illustrations are really cute. Lala is an adorable monster child. Her underground home, while not Lala's favorite, still is homey and inviting. ( )