Princess Pru and the Switcheroo
Princess Pru and the Switcheroo
The day her royal dads told her that she couldn't take Orville out for a gallop until she'd found all three of her royal tarantulas was the last straw.
"Being bossed around is the worst," grumbled Pru. "You're lucky you're an independent ogre, Oggy."
Feeling confined in her royal household due to the strict rules set forth by her two fathers, Princess Pru temporarily switches outward identities with her ogre best friend, "Oggy". Quickly finding out that life as an ogre does not come with the same royal perks, Pru quickly begins to miss home. Meanwhile, the ogre enjoys life as a princess and proves to be a very cooperative child. To thank her, the kings surprise her with a pony, but a dragon suddenly appears and sweeps her away. Pru, still dressed as an ogre, offers her services to help save Oggy. Pru endures rough terrain to locate Oggy; the pair agree that their original lives are best and, pulling a "reverse switcheroo", return home triumphantly.
A traditional storyline updated for the modern age, Princess Pru and the Switcheroo has a compelling and fast-paced narrative that is accompanied by colourful and dynamic illustrations. Readers will be able to relate to the familiar themes inherent in princess stories or Disney movies - from the interactions with the townspeople to the dragon to the ogre himself - with some interesting differences, such as riding a pet ostrich instead of a horse. Reminiscent of the type of drawing found in graphic novels, the detailed pictures capture the transformations of the characters in a joyful and fascinating manner. Note, as an especially compelling example, the detailed depiction of Pru's playroom, with an intricate bookcase and bins of various toys. A colourful feast for the eyes.
Roxy Garstad is a Collections Librarian at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta.