Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha Farrant and Lydia Corry

A mighty enchantress is asked to be godmother to a newborn princess, to help her be the best that she can be. She accepts, but then thinks of the task ahead of her. What makes one a good princess? To answer that question, she sends her mirror on a quest through time and space, to observe princesses and record their triumphs.

What an amazing book. The eight tales told within it are completely new, but Natasha gives them the flavour of the best old folktales. I may have read this in work and I may have found myself welling up here and there...not a good look when trying to serve customers!

The illustrations add the perfect touch, full of amazing colour and life. This is definitely the kind of book you keep and read over and over, go back to favourite stories, examine a favoured illustration and notice new details each time. Just wonderful.

Here are eight princesses for the Rebel Girl's generation: bold, empowered, full of curiosity, adventure and determination to be true to themselves. Natasha Farrant's original stories are set in different times all around the world, blending modern and traditional storytelling with glowing full colour illustrations by debut artist Lydia Corry in a glorious gift book.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall... What makes a princess excellent?"

An enchantress flings her magic mirror into our universe. Through the centurys, around the world, reflected in it are princesses who refuse to be pretty, polite or obedient. These girls are fierce, brave and determined to do the rescuing themselves.

The desert princess protects her people from the king with the black and gold banner. The forest princess takes a crocodile for a pet. An island princess explores the high seas. A mountain princess puts kindness above being royal. And in a tower-block in a city, a girl called Princess saves her community garden from the hands of urban developers.