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La Princesa and the Pea

Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
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The Princess and the Pea gets a fresh twist in this charming retelling with Spanish sprinkled throughout, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree.

The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .

Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.
© Victoria Evans
Susan Middleton Elya grew up in Urbandale, Iowa. Before she was a published author, she taught in Nebraska, Iowa, and California. She also lived abroad for many years in Venezuela and Spain. She spent much of her career teaching English as a second language throughout California. View titles by Susan Middleton Elya
Juana Martinez-Neal is the Peruvian-born daughter and granddaughter of painters. Her debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor, and her follow-up,
Zonia’s Rain Forest, was named an American Library Association Top 10 Sustainability-Themed Children’s Book. Juana has illustrated numerous picture books, including the New York Times bestselling Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi; Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal; and La Princesa and the Pea by Susan M. Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. View titles by Juana Martinez-Neal
★ "This engaging read-aloud is a fresh reimagining of a classic [. . .] The endearing and playful illustrations set the story in Peru [. . .] And the pea under the mattresses test? Let's just say that the prince makes sure his chosen one passes with flying colors."—School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Reading this would be a fabulous way to compare and contrast and use [readers's] knowledge of the first story and the colorful illustrations to make inferences as to meanings of words and phrases."—School Library Connection, starred review 

"The classic Hans Christian Andersen tale unfolds with Latin flair [. . . .] Martinez-Neal's darling, soft-edged mixed-media illustrations bring the brown-skinned characters to life in costumes from different regions of Peru"—Kirkus

"Martinez-Neal's illustrations, featuring stylishly exaggerated figures rendered in warm tones and delicate lines, are inspired by the textile designs of the indigenous people of Peru. With eye-catching details on every page, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of young readers. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, and clever rhymes make this a book to enjoy more than once."—Booklist

"Martinez-Neal's graceful illustrations . . . really make this lively title a winner . . . . an enjoyable retelling for young audiences, [and] professionals looking to expand the diversity of a fairy-tale collection or unit of study will find it particularly valuable."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

La Princesa and the Pea - Read Aloud With Author Susan Middleton Elya | Brightly Storytime Together

About

The Princess and the Pea gets a fresh twist in this charming retelling with Spanish sprinkled throughout, winner of the Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration.

El príncipe knows this girl is the one for him, but, as usual, his mother doesn’t agree.

The queen has a secret test in mind to see if this girl is really a princesa, but the prince might just have a sneaky plan, too . . .

Readers will be enchanted by this Latino twist on the classic story, and captivated by the vibrant art inspired by the culture of Peru.

Author

© Victoria Evans
Susan Middleton Elya grew up in Urbandale, Iowa. Before she was a published author, she taught in Nebraska, Iowa, and California. She also lived abroad for many years in Venezuela and Spain. She spent much of her career teaching English as a second language throughout California. View titles by Susan Middleton Elya
Juana Martinez-Neal is the Peruvian-born daughter and granddaughter of painters. Her debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor, and her follow-up,
Zonia’s Rain Forest, was named an American Library Association Top 10 Sustainability-Themed Children’s Book. Juana has illustrated numerous picture books, including the New York Times bestselling Tomatoes for Neela by Padma Lakshmi; Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal; and La Princesa and the Pea by Susan M. Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award. View titles by Juana Martinez-Neal

Praise

★ "This engaging read-aloud is a fresh reimagining of a classic [. . .] The endearing and playful illustrations set the story in Peru [. . .] And the pea under the mattresses test? Let's just say that the prince makes sure his chosen one passes with flying colors."—School Library Journal, starred review

★ "Reading this would be a fabulous way to compare and contrast and use [readers's] knowledge of the first story and the colorful illustrations to make inferences as to meanings of words and phrases."—School Library Connection, starred review 

"The classic Hans Christian Andersen tale unfolds with Latin flair [. . . .] Martinez-Neal's darling, soft-edged mixed-media illustrations bring the brown-skinned characters to life in costumes from different regions of Peru"—Kirkus

"Martinez-Neal's illustrations, featuring stylishly exaggerated figures rendered in warm tones and delicate lines, are inspired by the textile designs of the indigenous people of Peru. With eye-catching details on every page, this book is sure to capture the imaginations of young readers. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, and clever rhymes make this a book to enjoy more than once."—Booklist

"Martinez-Neal's graceful illustrations . . . really make this lively title a winner . . . . an enjoyable retelling for young audiences, [and] professionals looking to expand the diversity of a fairy-tale collection or unit of study will find it particularly valuable."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Media

La Princesa and the Pea - Read Aloud With Author Susan Middleton Elya | Brightly Storytime Together

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