About Princess April
Morning-Glory:
At long last, Princess April Morning-Glory
emerges as a lost treasure from the golden age of Hollywood.
Written and illustrated in 1941 by Letitia
Fairbanks, the niece of silent film stars Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary
Pickford, the seemingly traditional children’s book is transformed into a
modern-day fairy tale that will captivate child and adult readers alike.
Letitia was inspired to create portraiture for the
characters of Princess April Morning-Glory from film stars of the day.
John Barrymore, and Letitia's cousin Douglas Fairbanks Jr., provided glamorous
inspiration through their then-current films. The Wicked King's (Barrymore)
costume was sparked by his role as Louis XV in Irving Thalberg's 1938 Marie
Antoinette, while the hairstyle resembles his eponymous role in Archie
Mayo's 1931 Svengali. Prince Chivalry was inspired by her cousin's
(Fairbanks) sword-fighting role in David O. Selznick's 1937 The Prisoner of
Zenda.
Viewed as unconventional when it first debuted –
up until then, no one had thought to meld a Disney-like moral tale with a
swashbuckling adventure – the story centers on the prescient acknowledgment that
we create our destinies by the choices that we make.
The main narrative is focused around the brave and
courageous Princess April who must first transcend darkness and evil before she
can realize her true potential. Intrigued by the Great World and its sense of
adventure, a young Princess April decides to abandon the familiarity of her home
in Fairyland and undertake a voyage into the unknown. Once outside the Enchanted
Forest, she finds comfort and friendship in the company of various creatures who
ensure her safe passage.
But returning home proves more difficult than at
first she realized. In order to go back to Fairyland, a friendly wizard informs
Princess April that she must first accomplish three good deeds. Can Princess
April resist the temptation of darker forces and summon enough courage to
continue doing good deeds? And if she dares to hold true to herself, will it
someday lead her back home again?
My Review:
This was a sweet fairy tale story about a princess that was not happy with her appearance and decided leave her land in order to get something better. She was misled and lied too, of course, by the evil "queen". Once she leaves her land there is no way home. She asks around and is lead to all different enchanted creatures, until she finds one that can get her home. She must preform 3 good deeds. Truly good deeds with no personal gain. Then and only then will she be told her way home. However the evil villain captures her. Her hopes of getting home are nil.
I really liked this story and thought it was great to teach kids about good deeds. I also liked the back ground of the story and the writers! I did not like the font used. It was a little tough for me to read (I have eye allergies) and I worry that some kids will not be able to read it either. With that being said The rest of the book was great. I am giving this book a 4/5 ! I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.
Giveaway! YAY!
I am able to give away 1 paperback print copy to a lucky reader in the US :)
Good Luck and enter here:
Good Luck and enter here:
About Letitia
Fairbanks:
Letitia
Fairbanks, the niece of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford, lived a life
guided by artistic passions. In 1939, wanting to commemorate her late uncle,
Letitia began work on Princess April
Morning-Glory, allowing a creative outlet for combining
her lifelong loves: painting, writing, and illustration.
Holding firm to her
artistic identify, Letitia gravitated toward portraiture, landscapes, and
still-lifes. She was also a biographer, co-authoring Douglas Fairbanks: The
Fourth Musketeer, with Ralph Hancock. Her marriage to Hal Smoot in 1966
marked the beginning of a particularly joyful and creative period. Needle points
and annual Christmas cards, which featured a painting from the previous year,
not to mention her role as a wife, mother, step-mother and grandmother brought
her much fulfillment. After a life rich in artistic accomplishment, Letitia
passed away in September of 1992.
Kelley Smoot Garrett was born in Dallas, raised in Manhattan and has lived the life of a West Texas wildcatter as well that of an IT professional. At one time or another in her life she’s called places as diverse as Scourie, Scotland; Austin, Abilene and Midland, Texas; Singapore; Paris; and Auckland, New Zealand — home. She is proud to be the daughter of Sue Ashby and Harold Smoot and the step-daughter of Letitia Fairbanks Smoot. She currently lives with her husband Danny Garrett, three cats, and one happy only-dog, Moxie in the Texas Hill Country.
Princess April Morning-Glory
Tour Page:
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