THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER

Today I'm going to spotlight THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER by Jen Wang. A 2018 Cybils finalist.




Here's my YA Books Central Books review:

The Prince and the Dressmaker

What worked: I really loved this story of a dressmaker and the prince who likes to wear dresses. Prince Sebastian does this in secret until he 'discovers' the shocking outfit Frances made for a client. He hires her, but tries to keep his identity secret. What happens next is the start of a relationship where an unknown dressmaker designs Prince Sebastian dresses. Little by little he gains confidence in stepping out in the designs. But not everyone is so open to his 'secret'.

Lush illustrations set in Paris are the backdrop where two very unlikely characters come together and along the way discover friendship. Only two people know Prince Sebastian's secret. Frances loves the challenge of designing the prince dresses, but fears that keeping his secret might in fact hold her back from her own dream of being a top designer. What really works in this graphic novel is how Frances doesn't judge the prince for what others at this time might feel to be unorthodox behavior. To her, she wants to make the best dresses for him that show his true self. Saying this, the novel does show that not everyone approves. Prince Sebastian explores his own feelings and whether he should be true to himself or be the perfect prince his father and country expect of him. The working relationship between Frances and Prince Sebastian grows along the way.

Coming of age story set behind rich, colorful dresses in Paris with an adorable relationship that blossoms between a dressmaker and prince. The theme of finding out who you are and being happy is one that is sure to resonate with readers.

Originally posted over at YABC.
 Link: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/21646-the-prince-and-the-dressmaker


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