The Princess in Black Book Review

The Princess in Black

Shannon and Dean Hale

illustrations by LeUyen Pham

The Princess in Black quickly became a family favorite.  The big girls are as excited for a new release as the younger girls.  

There are some children’s series that simply get read, and others that become woven into family life. The Princess in Black was that for us. My girls adored these books, and I did too. The full-color illustrations make them a perfect stepping stone for children moving from picture books into chapter books, since the stories feel more grown up while still keeping the visual fun kids love. Princess Magnolia’s double life as a graceful princess and brave monster-fighter makes the stories clever and entertaining. Two of my girls even chose to dress as Princess Magnolia and The Princess in Black for Halloween, which says everything about how much they loved the series. We also attended a reading for the second book, and it remains such a fun family memory. This series is imaginative, confidence-building, and a joy to share.  

Book Summaries

(from Amazon)

1. The Princess in Black- Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?

2. The Princess and Black and the Perfect Princess Party- Today is Princess Magnolia’s birthday party, and she wants everything to be perfect. But just as her guests are arriving . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet, ditches her frilly clothes, and becomes the Princess in Black! She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. And every time she rushes back—an inside-out dress here, a missing shoe there—it gets harder to keep the other princesses from being suspicious. Don’t those monsters understand that now is not a good time for an attack?

3. The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde- Princess Magnolia and her unicorn, Frimplepants, are on their way to have brunch with Princess Sneezewort, an occasion Frimplepants enjoys more than anything in the world. But just when he can smell the freshly baked bread and the heaping platters of sugar-dusted doughnuts, Princess Magnolia’s glitter-stone ring rings. The monster alarm! After a quick change in the secret cave, Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants are transformed into the Princess in Black and her faithful pony, Blacky. But when they get to the goat pasture, all they can see is a field full of darling little bunnies nibbling on grass, twitching their velvet noses, and wiggling their fluffy tails. Where are the monsters? Are these bunnies as innocent as they appear? Could a sea monster really ruin this vacation for the Princess in Black?

4. The Princess in Black Takes a Vacation-  After battling monsters all night, a sleepy Princess in Black decides that she needs a vacation. After all, the Goat Avenger, a new hero who looks oddly familiar, has offered to protect the goats while she takes a much needed break. The very next day Princess Magnolia rides her bicycle to the seaside, where the air is salty, the sun is shiny, and the sea is as blue as monster fur. But just as Princess Magnolia is about to take a nap on her hammock, she hears a “ROAR!” Seriously? A monster? On the perfect beach? Impossible! Could a sea monster really ruin this vacation for the Princess in Black?

5. The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate-  Princess Magnolia and Princess Sneezewort have plans . . . mysterious plans, like a princess playdate! They dress-up slam! They karaoke jam! They playhouse romp and snack-time stomp! But then a shout from outside Princess Sneezewort's castle interrupts their fun. It’s a monster trying to eat someone’s kitty! This is a job for the Princess in Black. Yet when the Princess in Black gets there, she finds only a masked stranger and no monster in sight . . . or is there? Action and humor abound in this ode to friendship that proves that when shape-shifting monsters intrude on your plans, two heroes are better than one.

6. The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare- Princess Magnolia is excited. Excited and nervous. She’s going to the Interkingdom Science Fair today to present her poster about seeds and plants, and when she arrives, she sees that her friends are there too! Princess Honeysuckle made a mole habitat, Princess Sneezewort has built a blanket fort, and Tommy Wigtower has a talking volcano that’s saying “EAAAAT!” Wait, what? A surprise goo monster makes this a job for the Princess in Black, and the Princess in Blankets is on the scene to lend a hand. But will two masked heroes be enough to save the science fair? A little scientific problem-solving — and a lot of princess power.

7. The Princess in Black and the Bathtub Battle- The Princess in Black is in a very stinky situation. A foul cloud is plaguing the goat pasture, and it smells worse than a pile of dirty diapers or a trash can on a hot summer day. But every time the Princess in Black and her friend the Goat Avenger manage to get rid of the odor, they accidentally blow it to another kingdom! Other masked heroes and their trusty companions show up to help, but how do you battle a stench when your ninja moves fail? Fans with a nose for slapstick will be tickled to see the six stalwart friends join their wits to take on an impossibly beastly stink.

8. The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem- The Princess in Black is ready for her snowy playdate with the Goat Avenger and the Princess in Blankets. It’s a perfect day to build snow monsters and battle them for practice. But just when they’re about to wage battle, a huge foot smashes their snow monster. “SQUASHY!”It’s a giant, and it’s smashing everything in its path! The giant is too strong for the three friends, so the Princess in Blankets has an idea: it’s time to light the Sparkle Signal and summon help. With a rising crescendo of a plot and a delightfully surprising ending.

9. The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess- The Princess in Black and her friends are enjoying a day of sun and sea on Princess Sneezewort’s royal boat when a real, live mermaid princess emerges from the waves! Eeeeeee! Princess Posy needs their help protecting her very cute sea goats from being eaten by a very greedy kraken. But the princesses and the Goat Avenger quickly realize that fighting underwater can be tough for land dwellers, and only the mermaid Princess Posy can save the day. Can the masked heroes help her learn that being a princess means more than just being nice—it means speaking up?

10. The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink- Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn’t prepared to fight a monster or . . . a grumpy emu! To her surprise, a knight in shining armor comes to the rescue, but not before the princess’s prized decorations are stomped on and destroyed. Luckily, the gallant Prince Valerian has his own secret identity—the Prince in Pink—and has been yearning for a chance to show off his special skills, with the help of some twinkle-twinkle and major glam. Glitter has been restored, but then the angry emu returns—with friends! Can the party heroes step up to save the day again?

11. The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe- Duchess Wigtower had heard that pets are fun, but all her kitten has gotten her is nine lives’ worth of problems. Eeeeek! It’s time for someone else to deal with this catastrophe. Princess Magnolia is thrilled when a kitten lands on her doorstep, but just as she’s about to play with Plumpkins (or should it be Hugmaster Floof?), the monster alarm goes off. When Princess Magnolia returns to her castle, her furry companion has carved up the wallpaper! In fact, each time Princess Magnolia leaves to help the Goat Avenger fight a very grouchy monster, her feline friend wreaks havoc. Has the Princess in Black finally met her match?

12.  A twelfth book is in the works but a release date has not yet been set.  

About Me

I’m a mom of eight.  One boy and 7 girls.  I have been raising young readers for over 20 years. I’ve read a lot of books, and reread the good ones time and time again.

I’ve seen it all: great stories with disappointing illustrations, and beautiful books with not much to say. I look for the rare ones that get both right—engaging stories paired with artwork that brings them to life. I look for both. I’m drawn to picture books where the writing and illustrations work together to create something truly engaging, even on the tenth read.

I’m unapologetically picky. I skip books where misbehavior is a joke and focus on the ones that are truly worth your time.  

Here you’ll find honest reviews, carefully chosen favorites, and books kids genuinely come back to. More age groups will be added as my review library continues to grow.

Picture Books

Picture Books We Love

As a mom of 8, one boy and 7 girls I have had the opportunity to read lots and lots of picture books over the last 20 plus years.  Books for kids have become something that I care a lot about.  Getting kids to love reading starts at home.  I love the time that I have spent snuggling my little ones and sharing fun adventures with my not so little ones through our love of books.  My husband is a teacher and he is always reading.  That and reading to our kids from a very young age has helped our kids be ready to succeed when they get to school where they continue to love to read.  

Here are a list of picture books that I love.  Some we have read over and over and others are new finds.

Disclaimer- Having 7 girls, some of our finds definitely are lean that way.   

I am working on writing full reviews for all the books that make it onto this list. There will be a link for them as I get them done.

If you have a favorite book or series, I would love for you to leave a comment and share it with me.  I am always on the lookout for a wonderful picture book. 

Ross Collins

Mouse and Bear Stories

The Mouse and Bear series by Ross Collins is a funny, warm set of picture books about an unlikely friendship between a confident, slightly bossy Bear and a clever, quick-thinking Mouse who always manages to keep things interesting.

Each story usually starts with Bear trying to do something in a very “certain way” — and Mouse gently (or not so gently) shaking things up with humor, imagination, and a touch of chaos. Even when they disagree or get on each other’s nerves, the stories always circle back to friendship, teamwork, and figuring things out together.

Christopher Denise

Knight Owl series  

The Knight Owl series invites young readers into a cozy, medieval world where even the smallest dreamers can become heroes. At the heart of the stories is a determined little owl who longs to be a brave knight—despite his size and the challenges he faces. With gentle humor, warm illustrations, and themes of courage, kindness, and self-belief, these books celebrate the idea that true bravery doesn’t come from strength alone, but from heart, creativity, and doing what’s right.

Oliver Dunrea

Gossie and Friends 

My full review

The Gossie & Friends series by Olivier Dunrea follows a lovable group of little goslings through gentle, everyday adventures filled with friendship, curiosity, and quiet humor. With soft illustrations and simple stories, these books are a wonderful choice for toddlers and preschoolers.

 Kelly Greenawalt

Princess Truly

The Princess Truly picture books by Kelly Greenawalt follow a confident, imaginative little girl who believes in her own magic and isn’t afraid to dream big. With her signature curls and crown, Princess Truly turns everyday moments into colorful adventures—whether she’s exploring new ideas, solving small challenges, or inspiring those around her with kindness and courage. Filled with bright, joyful illustrations and playful storytelling, these picture books celebrate creativity, self-confidence, and the idea that every child can be strong, smart, and a little bit magical in their own way.

Megan Hess

Claris the Chicest Mouse in Paris  

The Claris series by Megan Hess follows a stylish little mouse with a big heart, and each book builds on themes of courage, kindness, friendship, and a love of fashion and travel.  Across all nine books, Claris explores glamorous settings while learning meaningful life lessons. The stories are written in rhyme, paired with elegant illustrations, making them especially appealing for young readers who enjoy fashion, adventure, and positive messages about character.

The World of Claris  by Megan Hess 

The World of Claris invites readers into Claris’s elegant Parisian world while teaching gentle life lessons. Across the four companion books—Friendship, Kindness, Dreams, and Style—Claris shows the importance of being a true friend, practicing compassion, believing in yourself, and expressing your creativity with confidence. Each story blends charming adventures with Megan Hess’s signature stylish illustrations, creating a delightful mix of inspiration, imagination, and elegance that encourages young readers to embrace positive values while enjoying Claris’s chic, whimsical world.

Claris Board Books by Megan Hess

The board books are bright, interactive, and age-appropriate, blending Megan Hess’s signature elegant illustrations with simple, meaningful messages perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

World of Claris Holiday Books by Megan Hess

In her delightful holiday adventures, Claris brings elegance, kindness, and a touch of sparkle to every celebration. From festive streets glowing with lights to heartfelt moments of giving and friendship, these stories capture the magic of the season with style and warmth. Perfect for young readers, the Claris holiday books blend charming storytelling with a gentle reminder that true beauty shines brightest through generosity and love.

Jonathan Landon

Duck and Hippo

Lisa Mantchev

The Pet Club

Laura Numeroff

If you give... series 

 if you give... is a playful and charming collection of picture books built on cause-and-effect storytelling. Each story begins with a simple, generous act—like giving a treat to a curious animal—and quickly spirals into a delightful chain of unexpected events. With its gentle humor, circular structure, and engaging illustrations, the series invites young readers to predict what might happen next, making it both fun and interactive. These timeless stories celebrate curiosity, kindness, and the joy of a good (and slightly silly) adventure.  There are an additional 13 books in this series.  These are the two that I would recommend.

Apryl Stott

Coco and Bear 

The Coco and Bear books use cozy woodland settings and lovable characters to teach young readers about listening well, standing by your friends, understanding your emotions, and being courageous and kind in everyday life. They’re great for story time and for starting conversations about social‑emotional skills with kids.

Ruby's Tools Series by Apryl Stott

The Ruby’s Tools series by Apryl Stott helps young readers learn simple, effective ways to handle big feelings and everyday challenges. Through Ruby’s experiences, each story introduces a “tool” for building confidence, self-awareness, and resilience in a gentle, relatable way.

Hills Tad 

Duck and Goose Series by Hills Tad 

The Duck & Goose series by Tad Hills is a charming collection of stories about friendship, curiosity, and learning to see the world from someone else’s point of view. Centered on two lovable (and often stubborn!) feathered friends, Duck & Goose follows their gentle adventures as they navigate misunderstandings, discover new ideas, and grow closer along the way. With simple text, warm humor, and soft, inviting illustrations, these books are perfect for young readers and listeners, offering timeless lessons about cooperation, patience, and the joy of sharing life with a friend.

Jane Yolen

How Do Dinosaurs...

The How Do Dinosaurs…? series by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague is a playful collection of picture books that uses humor and imagination to explore everyday childhood behavior through the lens of dinosaurs. In each story, enormous, expressive dinosaurs act out familiar situations—like bedtime, school, meals, illness, friendships, and holidays—first showing the “naughty” or silly ways kids sometimes behave, and then revealing the “right” way to handle the moment.

With rhyming text and exaggerated, comic-style illustrations, the series gently teaches social-emotional lessons, manners, and routines without feeling preachy. The dinosaurs are over-the-top and funny, but always relatable, helping young readers recognize their own behavior and choices in a lighthearted way.

Gossie and Friends Book Review

Gossie and Friends

written by Olivier Dunrea 

These books are so cute! We have quite a few of them at our house, the holiday books are on my wish list. My kids go back to them again and again, and honestly, I don't mind reading them over and over. 

There’s something so sweet about these little goslings and their simple world. The stories are gentle and easy to follow, which makes them perfect for younger kids, but they still manage to capture those very real little moments—wanting to be close to a friend, feeling unsure, getting excited about something small. They feel familiar in a way that kids immediately connect to.

Each book focuses on a different character, and over time, it feels like you really get to know all of them. That’s part of the magic—kids start to recognize their favorites and look forward to seeing them again and again. 

The illustrations are just as lovely as the stories. They’re soft, simple, and not overwhelming, which I’ve found really helps keep little ones engaged. There’s plenty to look at, but nothing feels busy or distracting.

One of the things I appreciate most is how calm these books are. They don’t rely on loud humor or fast-paced action. Instead, they create a quiet, cozy reading experience that works just as well at bedtime as it does during the day.

We don’t have the holiday books yet, but they’re definitely on my list to add to our collection soon.

If you’re building a collection of books for kids ages 2–5, this series is such a good one to include. These are the kinds of stories that stick around—not just on your shelf, but in your daily routine.

This series is available in several formats: picture books, board books, emergent readers, and digital.  Each format is slightly different.  The picture books would be considered the original.  The board books tell the same story, have the same illustrations, and the same overall feel.  However, the number of pages, some of the wording, and the page layouts differ.  The emergent readers seem to be the same as the picture books.  The book itself is bigger than the picture books.  They are available in both hardback and paperback.

Book Summaries

(From Amazon)

Gossie-  Gossie is a small yellow gosling who loves to wear bright red boots—every day. But one morning she can't find them!

Gossie and Gertie- Gossie and Gertie are best friends. They splash in the rain, play hide-and-seek, and dive in the pond together. Everywhere Gossie goes, Gertie does too. Or does she?

Ollie- Gossie and Gertie are waiting and waiting for Ollie to hatch. They try poking, listening, even sitting on top of his egg—but Ollie just won’t come out.

Ollie the Stomper- Gossie wears red boots, Gertie wears blue boots, but Ollie has no boots. Stomping bootless after Gossie and Gertie as they tromp in the straw, romp in the rain, and jump over puddles in their colorful boots leaves Ollie frustrated. Little Ollie decides he really wants his own pair of boots . . . but what will he do if he gets them?

Peedie- Peedie is a small yellow gosling who sometimes forgets things. But he never forgets to wear his lucky red baseball cap. He wears it everywhere—until he puts it in a secret place.

BooBoo- BooBoo is a curious blue gosling who likes to eat. She likes to eat everything. Well, almost everything.

Gideon- Gideon likes to splash with the ducklings, hop with the frogs, play chase-the-piglets, and scamper all over the farmyard. But one thing busy Gideon does not want to do is take his nap, no matter how many times his mother asks . . . until he gets tired, of course. 

Gus- Gus loves to be by himself. He explores all over the barnyard, taking in the world around him. Until he finds three small eggs. His perfect companions might be inside! How long will they take to hatch?

Jasper & Joop- Jasper likes to be neat. Each morning he tidies his nest and puts on his cap and bow tie. Joop likes to be messy! Each morning he rumples his nest and musses his feathers. Despite their differences, Jasper and Joop are two very good friends--birds of a feather! But what will happen when one friend gets into trouble with some busy bees?

Gideon & Otto- Otto, a stuffed octopus, is Gideon’s favorite friend! He brings Otto everywhere. But one day Otto doesn’t stay right where Gideon put him. An irresistible story about friendship

Gemma & Gus- Gemma is the big sister. Gus is the little brother. Gus is always following Gemma around, but one day Gus sets out on his own . . . and Gemma follows him! What do these two yellow goslings learn from one another? 

Rudy & Rufus- Ruby and Rufus play at the pond every day. They swim in the rain. They swim when it's windy. Nothing can stop this inseparable pair from doing what they love -- until one day, the pond turns to ICE! Could it be that a frozen pond is twice as nice?

Pearl- Pearl sings sleeping songs, slurping songs, quietly, and loudly, all over the farm—all day long. Pearl loves, loves, loves to sing! But what will she do when she loses her voice?

Pearl's Lost Pearls- Pearl loves her pearl necklace. Maybe even as much as she loves singing! But when she comes home from a day of singing to friends all over the farm, her pearls aren't around her neck where they should be. Pearl retraces her steps, but it's only with the help of resourceful and observant friends that her prized possession is returned.

Ollies' Hug- When Ollie is in a grumpy mood and nothing feels right, a hug from a friend does the trick! The perfect book for little kids with big feelings.

Ollie's Valentine- Ollie is looking. Looking for a valentine. Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo all have valentines, but Ollie wonders who will be his. His search leads him to a special valentine of his very own

Ollie's Easter Eggs- Gossie, Gertie, BooBoo, and Peedie are all dyeing Easter eggs. Ollie wants Easter eggs too and he has a plan on how he'll get them.

Merry Christmas Ollie!- It's Christmas Eve. Gossie and Gertie hang their bright colored boots in the barn. Peedie and BooBoo hang their striped stockings in the barn. Ollie stomps through the snow. It's not easy to wait for Father Christmas Goose!

Ollie's Halloween- This Halloween, Gossie is a wizard and Gertie is a chicken. Peedie is a dragon and BooBoo is a bunny. Ollie is a mummy who thinks sharing is more fun than scaring. Join the goslings as they hoot, howl, and haunt the night away

Gossie and Friends Say Goodnight- Night is falling on Old Farm and Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo are getting ready for bed. Everyone is sleepy—except Ollie, of course.

About Me

I’m a mom of eight.  One boy and 7 girls.  I have been raising young readers for over 20 years. I’ve read a lot of books, and reread the good ones time and time again.

I’ve seen it all: great stories with disappointing illustrations, and beautiful books with not much to say. I look for the rare ones that get both right—engaging stories paired with artwork that brings them to life. I look for both. I’m drawn to picture books where the writing and illustrations work together to create something truly engaging, even on the tenth read.

I’m unapologetically picky. I skip books where misbehavior is a joke and focus on the ones that are truly worth your time.  

Here you’ll find honest reviews, carefully chosen favorites, and books kids genuinely come back to. More age groups will be added as my review library continues to grow.