"The Princess and the Pickup Truck" - a bookwrap

Unwrapping 

The Princess and the Pickup Truck

Authored by Bil Lepp

Illustrated by Lottie Looney

* Ages: 5-10

* Grade Level: K-5

* Hardcover: 32 pages

* Publisher: Quarrier Press; First edition

* Pub. Date: October 4, 2018

* Language: English

Winner 

2019 NAPPA Award Winner

From The National Assoc. of Parenting Publications

Rough and Tumble Royalty

The National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) is the go-to source for parents seeking the best tested and tried products for their families.

“There are many quirky versions of The Princess and the Pea, but this one felt like it owned its spot on the shelf. There is a solid southern “voice” to the telling of the tale and it probably comes directly from the writer who is a storyteller. We can imagine some teachers, librarians, parents reading this book... The illustrations are appropriately homespun, quirky-isn folk art and a fine match for the story.”

Unwrapping some quirky illusrations for you to enjoy

Unwrapping the book

What a fun book.  I adore fractured fairytales and this book is a parody, an Appalachian retelling, of The Princess and the Pea.  Who needs a pristine princess with a tiara and a sparkly ball gown? This prince is searching for a real mountain princess to marry, one that wears hiking boots, a calico dress and has messy hair.  

He buys himself a pickup truck to woo the perspective princess babes and to be noticed.  He combs all the mountain ranges in the world to find his perfect bride but alas he only bumps into imposters.  Alas his search comes to naught.  He slouches himself back home, alone, and weeps to his Momma:

"Momma, I can't find a princess who I know for sure ain't a fraud.  I even kissed some o them frauds, hopin' they'd turn into a princess." 

" His momma said, "Honey, don't go kissin' frauds.  You'll get warts." 

Then as fate would have it the next day a real rough-and-royal princess comes walkin' up the road claiming that she is the real deal. Suspicious of her claim, his wise momma puts her to the princess test to prove her authenticity. Will she pass the test and become the prince's forever wife? Is she the one for him? 

I enjoyed the tale and found myself laughing as I turned each page to discover if the prince finally did find the love of his life.  The illustrations are folksy, quirky and I know that kids will enjoy their simplicity and humour.  Bil Lepp, a master storyteller, has delivered a winner.  Storywraps recommends it. 

Storywrap Rating - 5 HUGS!!!!!

Meet the author

Bil Lepp won the PEN Steven Kroll Award for his children’s book The King of Little Things. Lepp travels the country telling hilarious tall-tales to children and adults alike as a professional storyteller. His storytelling audio collections have won several Parents’ Choice Gold, Silver and Approved awards.

Lepp is a frequent and sought after speaker at festivals and schools all around the country and has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival seventeen times. He also appears regularly on NPR’s Mountain Stage. Bil lives with his wife and two children in South Charleston, West Virginia.

About the illustrator 

Lottie Looney is a former art teacher at Sacred Heart Grade School in Charleston,WV. Her favorite style of art is that done by the enthusiastic mind of a child. Originally from rural Pennsylvania, she grew up catching fireflies, fishing for bluegills and playing outdoors. She sees beauty and art in simplicity.

Lottie currently lives in Colorado with her husband, two spunky children and menagerie of pets.

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