I am an adult who never liked picture books as a child (I fell in love with reading in fourth grade, when I finally had the vocabulary and comprehension skills to read the more appealing "Chapter" books). I came to this book because Tyler is one of my favorite contemporary novelists, and even though I love tons of other novelists both present and past, sometimes I just can't wait for Tyler's latest to hit the stores. So, I read her children's book, and I was enchanted. The story is great, the pictures are charming, but what I liked best was the book's "Child is father of man" philosophy. Modarressi, who happens to be Tyler's daughter, has written and illustrated a number of other books: don't miss "Yard Sale!" and "The Parent Thief" and even the weaker "The Dream Pillow" is worth a look-see.

The story of Tumble Tower is hardly throw-away - Princess Molly the Messy is almost despised by her family: King Clement the Clean, Queen Nellie the Neat, and Prince Thomas the Tidy. Molly lives in the castle tower, where her room is beyond what most would considered "a bit cluttered." However, as we soon discover after the rest of the castle is flooded, even the messiest of rooms can be considered a safe, even comfortable haven. Seeing life through Molly's eyes gives the rest of her family a sense of understanding, perhaps even empathy.

While Anne Tyler's story is very nice, I found the illustrations to be far more engaging. There are hidden surprises in almost every page, and the characters are wittily, handsomely, and endearingly brought to life in a style that almost resembles the Saturday morning series "Angela Anaconda."

The kids will love having this book read to them again and again, and there's enough treasures spread throughout to make the parents most happy to oblige.

Although an avid Anne Tyler fan, I just discovered this book she wrote for children and I now number it among my favorites. I find it perfectly charming to see childhood "messiness" vindicated. My grandchildren (ages 8 to 13) thoroughly enjoy the book, too. I can tell they relate to "Messy Molly," although maintaining that their own bedrooms are never as messy as the wonderful two-page spread of Molly's room.

When some British diplomats (a little odd for a story, I must say) come to live in Stoneybrook, Mary Anne is hired as a companion. This is far-fetched but highly entertaining. Look for Princes Victoria in more books, like the European Super Special, when the BSC goes to London and visit her. Victoria is one of the most interesting child characters yet in the BSC books.

Timid, sensitive Mary Anne is baby-sitting an actual PRINCESS-a little girl who is used to being waited on hand and foot, complains endlessly about her "frightfully old" nanny, and is to put it mildly, blunt. Mary Anne does an admirable job with her and cracks her "royal" shell. I admired how patient Mary Anne was with her. While the other kids were quick to dismiss Victoria as a spoiled snob, perceptive Mary Anne saw a lonely, insecure girl who needed a lot of love. I also loved how the author interwove a subplot of Mary Anne's growing closeness with her stepmother Sharon, who misses Dawn. What a kind heart Mary Anne has to arrange that Thanksgiving surprise for Sharon. I like how close Sharon and Mary Anne have become. Mary Anne desperately needed a mother and I'm glad she has somebody as wonderful as Sharon. I wish I had a daughter or baby-sitter like Mary Anne!!!!

I bought this book for my little cousin and it is just so awesome! This book comes with a little set of fairy wings for the "fairy princess" to try on while mommy reads her this book. Kids will love it! Also, there is another book to go along with it called "I'm a Ballerina." I would definitely recommend either of these books for anyone with a little girl and a wild imagination!

I adored this book! It was a gripping read, and I could not put it down! It was such a page turner that I lost many nights sleep just to finish this truly ADDICTING novel. Run, dont't walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick this treasure up as quick as you possibly can!

This is one of the best books my five year old daughter and I have ever read. We first got it out of the library, but I just ordered it because it's a book I know we'll re-read hundreds of times. Everybody knows the Grimm's story: twelve princesses escape every night to go dancing. Their father, the king, doesn't know where they go, only that that in the morning their dancing shoes are in tatters. He offers the hand of one of his daughers in marriage to any suitor who can discover their secrets.Many try, and finally one succeeds. There are two wonderful things about this version. One is that it's clear at the end of the book that the daughter who is chosen doesn't marry the man who figured out their secret. She chooses him „ and plans to keep right on dancing after she gets married! The second great thing about this book is the illustrations, which are so beautiful, you just want to look at them again and again. More important, the princesses are all beautiful, but in exotic and interesting ways. No one size fits all Disneyesque beauties here. Each face is unique. One even wears glasses! Terrific book.

This book starts off rather slow and I was tempted to stop reading it. It's not as good as the other two, but just as vivid. You understand how one could have it all, then lose it all. NOt exactly a "feel good novel" with a "warm and fuzzy feeling".

This book is great... all of the books in the series are! Still, this is the first one I read and it wasn't really my copy...my friend Rosalind hated me for a few after I wouldn't give it back. Still, it portrays Anne Boleyn in am interesting light. You hate her, but you want her to succeed. READ IT!

This, the third book in the Young Royals series focuses on the life of Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, and mother to the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth. From the time she was born, Anne had been the dark sheep of her family. Not only did she have a sixth finger, but she also had a black mole. Anne had neither the beauty of her older sister Mary, or the importance of her younger brother George. But with an ambition as high as the mountains, Anne vowed one day that her sister, Mary, the King's mistress, will one day kneel at her feet. As a lady-in-waiting to Queen Catherine in Henry's court, Anne finally begins to see her wish coming true when she finally catches Henry's eyes. Though Anne knows Henry loves her, she knows that is not enough. The people's overall hatred of her and loyalty to Queen Catherine might ultimately be her downfall. When finally she bears Henry's child, she is finally declared Queen, a title she had vied for so many years. Only one nagging issue is in the back of her mind: What if the child isn't a son? What if she fails Henry's ultimate wish to have a male heir? What would become of her...

This new edition to the Young Royals series has to be my favorite. It was quite accurate and Anne was potrayed perfectly as a girl who just wanted to prove herself worthwhile to a world that shut her out. To many Anne was the ulimate symbol of evil, but after reading this book, my opinion of her changed. She was in a tough position, but ulimately her big ambitions was also her downfall.

This book definitely will be more fitting for older readers. Doomed Queen Anne also probably appeals to an older audience than the previous two books. Definitely a great book to add to your collection.

Mia Thermopolis is just an average 14 year old girl; she is considered a freak by most of her peers and just wants to fit in, hates her looks, and is flunking Algebra. However, Mia's life starts to get interesting when her mom begins dating her teacher and her dad shows up and tells her that she's a princess. Unlike most girls who dream of becomming a princess one day, Mia is horrified. She doesn't know of anyone who is more unprincess-like than she is. Much to Mia's displeasure, her spiteful grandmother begins giving her princess lessons, which of course Mia despises. Throughout the novel, Mia has to make some tough decisions but is visibly maturing. She learns how much her friends really mean to her and that no matter how much you change on the outside, you're still the same on the inside. Meg Cabot does a great job of writing in a teenagers voice and uses many modern-day references that any teenager can relate too. However, I felt that the ending was left incomplete and the reader was left hanging. If someone doesn't read the sequals, they may be wondering what happened to all of the fun-loving characters.

I was recommended this book by my cousin, and was interested because I know that Disney now has a movie version of it. The book's plot centers around Mia Thermopolis' diary entries each day, things that every average teenage girl writes and worries about like that horrible popular girl (Lana Weinberg, in this book) and that amazingly handsome guy that never seems to notice you. Mia thinks that her life is about as bad as it gets, failing algebra, her mother DATING her teacher, etc. Then comes along the big news from Mia's father. He is a prince of Genovia, a small but rich country, and she is the one and only heir to the throne, making her Princess Amelia. All of a sudden, Mia finds the popular people dying to sit with her at lunch, and the guy she has been dreaming of for months sitting right next to her, smiling. Could it all be a dream?

This book is really, very fun to read, and kept me entertained the whole way through.

I'll admit, I'm a college student who loved the movie surprisingly enough, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to read the book when I found a cheap copy of it. I was again surprised when I loved the book as much as the movie.

With style and humor, Cabot creates a charming modern fairy tale that never goes too far out to not be reasonable. Who hasn't been in Mia's shoes? Gawky, unpopular, and just trying to make decent grades in school, Mia is the embodyment of the typical teenager. With a sparkling sense of humor and more than a few charmingly messed up friends, Mia stumbles through life until she is told that she is indeed royalty. Like any other teenager whose life has been turned upsidedown, Mia struggles with her new found fame and trying to keep her new self true to her old self. A stylish haircut doesn't change what's inside, and Mia is a real gem. Hopelessly in love with the most popular boy in school and trying to fight a growing attraction to her best friend's brother, Mia's plight is fantastic yet still real.

Now for the charming supporting cast. Grandmere of Genovia is a dragon in a purple silk dress. Terrifying and comical at once, Grandmere Clarisse is proud, arrogant, and insensitive yet still inadvertantly humorous. The tattooed eyebrows have to be one of the funniest discriptions I've ever read.

Mia's best friend Lily is brassy and opinionated. She tries just as hard to stand out as Mia tries to fit in. Sassy and intelligent, Lily, as bold as she is, is still someone you want on your side.

Michael. Michael has to be my favorite character of all. What girl doesn't want a Michael in her life? Cute, kind, and independent, Michael is perfect boyfriend material whether he knows it or not. Who wouldn't want someone as subtley devoted to Mia as Michael is? That and he looks good with his shirt off.

Needless to say, I'm addicted to these books now. I rarely find a novel I like so much and want so much more of.

If you liked the first princess diaries book, you will sure get a kick out of this one!
Fifteen year old Mia Thermopolis is struggling to be a normal teenager. Boys, homework, boys again. But on the other hand she is the Princess of a small country named Genovia. Things are getting hectic in her life, Mia's mom is dating her algebra teacher, (by the way what is her worst subject!) everyday after school, Mia still has princess lessons taught by her grandmother Grandmere. Mia has a secret admirer who keeps on sending her letters, but won't tell her who it is. She also has a crush on her bestfriends brother who by the way only thinks of Mia as her sisters bestfriend. Even though Mia is the princess of a small country, you have to look on the other hand. She is also just a normal teenage girl trying to live a teenage life! If you want to read a GREAT book, pick this one up, and you will never be able to put it down.

High school non-conformist Mia Thermopolis thought she had it bad- what with finding out she's a princess and the rightful heir to the Genovian throne. Then, her Mom drops another bomb on her- Mom is pregnant, and the boyfriend, Mia's algebra teacher, is the father. As if that wasn't enough, Grandmere is now trying to arrange an exclusive interview on "TwentyfourSeven" for Mia. Can't a girl simply worry about finding a boyfriend and passing Algebra like any normal teenage girl? Sheesh.

Mia's latest saga is just as entertaining as her first in "The Princess Diaries". Here, we find Mia desperately trying to police her Mother's food, fight off Grandmere's attempts to keep her in makeup, and find out who the heck "JoCRox" is that keeps sending her admiring instant messages. Could it be Michael Moscovitz, Mia's best friend Lilly's older brother? Mia hopes so, but just isn't sure.

Once Mia appears on "TwentyfourSeven" and inadvertently lets slip that Mom is preggers by and engaged to the algebra teacher, everything goes haywire. Grandmere begins to plan a lavish wedding ceremony, complete with supermodel bridesmaids and guests like John Tesh and Martha Stewart. Meg Cabot has a gift for humor that works at any age level. Reading the account of Martha Stewart solving Mia's Halloween costume problem by fashioning party favors was a hoot. I cannot wait to read "Princess in Love" and find out what happens next.

If you ever thought that being a princess was easy, you were so wrong. Mia, the new Genovian princess is finally starting to get used to a princess life. You know, the usual body guard, limo, princess lessons, not to mention all the attention she gets. But this is where all the trouble begins, Grandmere plans an interview for Mia on one of the most highly rated television show in America. Mia being her usual self, loses it and ruins the whole interview. As if she didn't have enough to worry about, Mia receives mysterious letters from a secret admirer. Could it be Micheal, whom she's had a crush on forever? It just has to! Mia never learned how to deal with these problems in school, and she certainly won't be learning them from her princess lessons, what is a princess supposed to do?! This book mainly focuses on the themes of being able to cope with crisises of family, love, reputation, and friendship. And we learn lessons about these issues through Mia's reactions to these events and her mistakes. Meg Cabot was successful in depicting the life of a normal/abnormal teenage girl, in which the humor and sarcasm of Mia portrayed the interesting personality of modern day teenagers. The the book was in a diary form, so it seemed more casual and made it easier to understand almost everything you wanted to know about Mia. This is a really good book that was so funny it was hard for me to put down. It gave me a whole new insight of what it was really like to be a princess; what you had to go through. Every new page led me to more suprises and even more laughs. Ever wonder what a girl's diary was like? Read this one for more than you'll ever expect!

Helen Keller once wrote, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." These words perhaps portray the making of the future Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret of Great Britain from their celebrated birth to their early adult lives. Anne Edwards, an experienced biographer who has written books such as "Queen Mary and the House of Windsor", "Ever After: Diana and the Life She Led", and "Sonya: The Life of Countess Tolstoy", among many others, is no stranger to the British Royal Family. Her thorough research on the subject, extensive notes, and detailed descriptions highly contributed to the understanding of a reader who started out not knowing much about the hierarchy of the British Crown. A book about the adolescent and early adult lives of the two princesses, I found it to be at times, like chicken soup for the reader's soul. It teaches the lesson of not being bitter and jealous through unfavorable and painful experiences and to love from the bottom of your heart by giving all you have. The royal sisters Elizabeth and Margaret have gone through so many unfair and trying circumstances together, and have truly succeeded in carrying out the message that "the great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it" (William James)--just look at all their contributions to the world!

you will stay up all night to finish this gem, I know i did, it was so fantastic right now i'm loaeded up on caffeine just to finish the work day because i was so addicted on this book that i HAD to stay up all night to savor every little word in this masterpiece! READ IT!!!!!!

i Stumbled upon this book shortly afer i read the bodyguard's story. Anne Edweards portrays Diana as the loving woman she was. this book was a breeze for me to read even though it had alot of the same informatiaon most have it was more of novel to me and it was pleasure to read . i recommened this book to many of my friends and anyone else who is looking for good book to read on the Princess of wales Thank you Anne edward for this wonderful tribute

i give this book 5 stars

Anne Edwards does an exquisite job at portraying the life of Princess Diana. This novel takes the reader through Diana's rough childhood, family background, marriage to Prince Charles, public work, divorce and her death in 1997. The book takes the reader by surprise because many people saw Diana's life as a fairytale, but learn through the novel that Diana's life was not as perfect as it seemed to be. Readers will learn a great deal about the life story of Princess Diana. This novel is appropriate for young adults to grownup.

It was so refreshing to finally read a book that didn't bash Diana, but told it like it really was. It showed how she really felt about all that was going on in her life, and how she tried to handle it the best way she knew how. The author showed a love for Diana that I have not seen in any other book, but at the same time she didn't play favorites. She showed kindness to Charles as well. I am so very glad that Anne Edwards has written this book. It shows there are people out there who love the Princess and admire all the good that she has done.