August 2018 Book of the Month | This swashbuckling, delightfully illustrated adventure is great fun, but has some important messages for readers too. It starts in the most traditional of ways: Once upon a time… but then this tale of a frog princess sails into unchartered waters. The princess knows she wants more than to settle down with a frog prince, and sets off to be a pirate. She takes command of the Stinky Fish, organising its demoralised crew and setting out to find them nice things to do. She loves it, but misses her mum and dad too, and they of course are missing her. A very happy reunion follows and indeed everyone lives happily ever after. There’s a proper emphasis on happy here, and how it comes through kindness, understanding and being true to yourself.
Once upon a time, in a far off land and place, there lived a frog princess – with a green and slimy face. Her name was Princess Swashbuckle – swashbuckling was her game. She was swashbuckling by nature, and swashbuckling by name.
Tired of the same old princess-meets-her-prince stories? Bored of princesses in frilly pink dresses? Fed up with princes getting all the action? Yes? So is Princess Swashbuckle. She's Swashbuckle by name, swashbuckling by nature and she's about to show the world what a great pirate captain she can be. Charmingly breaking the mould, Princess Swashbuckle is a rollicking tale of adventure and finding your own happy.
Hollie Hughes is the talented and award-winning author of many much-loved picture books, including The Heart of a Giant, Princess Swashbuckle, and the bestselling, award-winning The Girl and the Dinosaur.
Having three children of her own, she is perfectly tuned in to the reading habits and tastes of young children. Hollie lives in Essex with her family.
