Synopses & Reviews
In this amusing, eloquently told story, created by Katherine Paterson specifically for artist Vladimir Vagin to illustrate with his beautifully detailed watercolors, there was born a wise little princess who was different from everyone else. Miranda had been granted the gift of being wide awake all her waking hours. Thus, unlike those before her, she was able to see that the peasants of the kingdom were overworked and starving while the nobles lived in selfish luxury. Miranda, with confidence and determination, forms an innovative plan to help her people overcome their oppression, and in the process reveals the power of words to vanquish ignorance and bring about change.
Review
"Paterson, who is best known to an older audience, weaves a princess tale with a couple of twists. The King and Queen proclaim a feast to celebrate Mirandas birth, but the whole castle falls asleep before the guests arrive. So when Mirandas fairy godmother finally appears, she gifts the child with the ability to be truly awake all her days. As Miranda grows, she studies castle life, and when her parents die, and the nobles tell her she cant be queen, she goes off to learn what her peoples lives are really like. . . . The importance of listening, the courage to make a difference, the certainty that good takes time are ideas skillfully presented and lessons that make the lattice of the story. Vagin . . . contributes dry, slightly exaggerated pen-and- watercolor images that support the wry slant of the text."
Booklist, ALA
Synopsis
In this amusing, eloquently told story, created by Paterson specifically for Russian artist Vladimir Vagin to illustrate with his beautifully detailed watercolors. After the death of her self-absorbed parents, a clever princess shows the peasants in her country how to make better lives for themselves.
About the Author
Vladimir Vagin is an award-winning designer and illustrator of more than fifty books. Mr. Vagin lives in Middletown Springs, Vermont.Katherine Paterson's many awards include two Newbery Medals for Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved, two National Book Awards, and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal.