Love Story! Theo's Princess by Ellen DeLange

As frogs go, Theo is a prince among amphibians. He even has a impressive name:

THEODORE CORNELIUS BAFFELUS, III.

But for some reason, Theo aspired to be a real prince of the fairy tale sort. As a tadpole, he loved the story of the Princess and the Frog, and he fervently wished that a princess would come along to kiss him and turn him into a real Prince.

But princesses seemed to be in short supply in his hometown. There was one, in the town castle's tower, but her guards rudely chased him away. No matter where he searched, no princess presented herself. So Theo decided to advertise. He created a goodly supply of lovely posters, offering a freebie kiss to all comers!

WANTED:Princess

But at the advertised time, Theo found himself waiting, with no princesses puckering up.

"ARE THERE NO MORE PRINCESSES?"

"OR DO THEY ONLY EXIST IN FAIRY TALES?"

But to his surprise, Theo soon saw a bevy of princesses approaching, and they lined up under a suitable tree. One was pretty in frills and lace trimmed pantaloons, one was pretty in pink, but with loud checkered stockings, and the third was a tad piggish, but wearing the requisite crown.

THE PRINCESSES WERE GIGGLING.

THEY HAD NEVER KISSED A FROG BEFORE.

One by one, they puckered up and placed a modest kiss on Theo's cheek. But time after time, when he took peek in his mirror, he saw no prince, just his same froggy face. Where were those promised powers of princesses?

"WAIT!" A SMALL VOICE CALLED.

AND BEFORE HE KNEW IT, A BEAUTIFUL FROG GAVE HIM A BIG KISS!

It was a lovely kiss. However, Theo did not turn into a prince. But. . .

HE FELT LIKE ONE!

And of course, love has a magic of its own, in Ellen DeLange's sweet story of true love, Theo's Princess (Clavis Press, 2021). Illustrated in charming pale pastels and great good humor by artist Monty Lee, this new fractured fairy tale is bound to please youngsters who sometimes like their fairy tales (and love stories) served up with a wink and a giggle.

For primary readers, who prefer their Valentine's Day stories on the spoofy side, share this one with Jon Scieszka's classic fractured fairy tale, The Frog Prince, Continued.