  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/15/2013 A kingdom enslaved to fashion is set free by the unstylish Prince of Spud and his soon-to-be consort, the bookish Princess of Spiff. In his third fantasy for young readers, Weston returns to the format of his fanciful Zorgamazoo (2008), with rhyming couplets, extensive font manipulation, and humorous, chapter-opening line drawings. In this silly saga of embarrassment and retaliation at the Spiffian Centenary Ball, Prince Puggly and Princess Fran discover each other and find a way to mock the stylish partygoers before returning to Spud, where they can dress as they please. Accurately labeling this as a “meandering tale,” the author reveals all in the end. Much of the humor comes from exaggerations of dress: Fran’s pajamas “printed with boats,” Puggly’s “polka-dot breeches that sag in the butt,” and a ’60s-style shaman whose turban sports a daisy. Occasional rhythmic hiccups, repetitions, and strained humor demonstrate just how difficult it is to write nonsense verse. Still, these couplets beg to be read aloud, as the playful language and satisfying story have extensive middle-grade appeal. - Copyright 2013 Booklist. Bulletin for the Center... - 04/01/2013 The citizens of Spiff are a trendy bunch, perched on the cutting edge of fashion (“They were always wearing the sassiest styles/ which of course they would sport with the smuggest of smiles”). Princess Frannie, the king’s less-than-chic daughter, prefers books to clothes, however, and refuses to heed her father’s request that she don something other than comfy pajamas to the upcoming ball. Meanwhile, in the neighboring and far less ritzy realm of Spud, the recently crowned Prince Puggly is feeling hesitant about attending the Spiffian ball himself, certain his Spuddish style will only get him mocked and ridiculed. When circumstances bring the two neighboring royals together, they concoct a plan to teach the Spiffians a lesson or two about true class. Goofy but gentle humor along with some delightfully inventive word play characterize this novel in verse, making it an excellent choice for a classroom or family read aloud. The small trim size adds accessibility, creative typography and text layout (including intricate chapter headpieces) accentuates the fractured fairy-tale feel, and Weston’s rhyming couplets are funny in their form and ingenuity (“He heard from below him . . . the tearing of threads!/ The fizzle of fabric being ripped into shreds!/ The splitting of seams! The unravel of yarn!/ All that King Dandy could say was: ‘Oh, darn’”). Even the mostly predictable lesson of the book is made humorous with a droll rhyme: “Whether wild or refined, whether subtle or brash,/ you can wear it—as long as you don’t get a rash.” Aspiring fashionistas and poets would likely agree. KQG - Copyright 2013 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. School Library Journal - 04/01/2013 Gr 2–5—A humorous spin on the adage, "you can't judge a book by its cover." In clever rhyming verse, Weston tells the story of the people of the Kingdom of Spiff and several surrounding kingdoms who care more about appearances than character. Poor Frannie, the Princess of Spiff, is harassed by her father, King Dandy von Fop, to get her nose out of her books and put on something other than pajamas. In nearby Spud, citizens are shunned for being unfashionable and having a muddy realm. As the kingdoms come together for a ball, both Princess Frannie and the newly crowned Prince Puggly of Spud face harsh criticism from the stylish people who surround them. Frannie and Puggly flee separately but find each other and devise a plan to teach those around them a lesson in what is truly important. Plot, theme, and writing style make this a terrific read-aloud. Creative formatting and use of various typefaces add to the fun.—Erica Thorsen Payne, Meriwether Lewis Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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