La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya

illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

Pura Belpre

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Evaluation of Book

Will the prince find his one true love? Will the princess feel the pea under twenty mattresses? Will the queen finally give her blessing? This classic retelling of the “Princess and the Pea” is enchanting with its Latino flair. Following the traditional storyline this version offers a twist in which the prince takes matters into his own hands. He is successful in ensuring that the princess he loves has an uncomfortable sleep.

Readers will be captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru. Juana Martinez-Neal wants to raise awareness of the indigenous villagers of Hailloc in Peru in an effort to maintain their culture and traditions. The textiles in the book were inspired by the weavings and embroidery of the indigenous people of Peru. Alpaca wool is weaved into clothing and blankets that were similar to the ones used in the story.

Martinez-Neal uses acrylics, colored pencils, and graphite on homemade paper to create texture and give the illustrations a tactile appeal. The soft, muted palate used by the illustrator gives the book a cozy, comfortable feel. The text and illustrations are on the same page but remain separate from each other and are culturally and geographically accurate.

Response

This rhyme filled classic is easy to read. The rhyming Spanish vocabulary was quite clever and integrated into the text of the story exposing the reader to another language. My favorite part was “…the prince and princess has hijos galore, one for each mattress, and then had no more.” It just made me laugh.

I have a sixteen year old son and I could definitely relate to the Queen. She only wanted to make sure that her son married someone that lived up to her standards. As parents we only want the best for our children, but the prince was quite clever in this story ensuring that he would marry the woman of his dreams.

Conclusion

This charming bilingual retelling of this classic story will captivate all readers. With stunning illustrations and a humorous text this book will find its way into many libraries. It is a definite must read.

Citation

Elya, S. M., & Martinez-Neal, J. (2017). La princesa and the pea. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons.