Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz, illustrated by Brian Floca, 80pp, RL 3

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by the marvelous Laura Amy Schlitz with completely charming illustrations by Brian Floca is a rare and welcome gem of a little book that reminds me of Lady Lollipop by Dick King-Smith, which I reviewed in 2010. With a fairy tale sensibility, Schlitz and Floca treat readers to a wonderful little story that can be read at bedtime or tackled by new readers on their own. When Princess Cora is born, her parents thought she was "as perfect as a snowflake." They quickly realize that the princess will one day be queen and the responsibility that it entails. Soon enough, they have her on a rigid regimen of responsible lessons and behaviors. A nanny makes sure Cora is always clean. The Queen studies with Cora every day because, "a princess must be wise." The King turns the old castle prison into a gym where he trains Cora because, "a future queen must be strong!" Cora is beside herself. She wants to be all the things