The Prince and the Dressmaker (Hardcover)
Staff Reviews
Wow oh wow, this book is so special, and so lovely, and so dear. This book is a gift to the world. In Prince and the Dressmaker, we meet Prince Sebastian of Paris, who is working hard to uphold a good image for the kingdom with a lot of weight on his shoulders. And part of that weight is his biggest secret: at night, he dresses in stunning gowns and becomes Lady Crystallia, a Parisian icon of fashion and beauty! Not a soul knows Sebastian’s secret, until the palace’s new dressmaker Frances discovers his secret, and the two become best friends, working together to create more and more stunning dresses and looks for Lady Crystallia, until this secret begins to conflict with Frances’ dream of becoming a world-renowned dressmaker... This book is gorgeously drawn and fantastically written, a story of love, friendship, and most of all, being true to yourself. This book is an absolute fairytale!
(Graphic Novel, Ages 9+) — Find mores Staff Picks by Iz
— Iz
This book was a fantastic story about two kids discovering who they are and how they want to present themselves to the world. Frances is a daring seamstress who has caught the eye of Lady Crystallia a beautiful fashion trend starter. But the world doesn't know that Lady Crystallia is Prince Sebastian and Frances must decide if she wants the world to know about her work, even as it threatens to expose her friend's secrets to the world. Jen's illustrations captures the emotions of the character's so creatively. I also loved the information in the back of the book about her creative process.
— From Staff Picks by Jessica
A fairy tale for any age, Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.
Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:
Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride—or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia—the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!
Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances—one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family.
This title has Common Core connections.
A Washington Post Best Graphic Novel of 2018
A NPR Best Book of 2018
A Boston Globe Best Children's Book of 2018
A Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
Joint winner of the 2018 Harvey Award for Best Children’s or Young Adult Book
2019 Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards Teen Book of the Year
"There is so much love in Wang’s illustrations, which are perfectly suited to the fairy tale nature of the book...it’s completely satisfying. In modern fairy tales, there really are happy endings."—New York Times
"Leave it to such a gifted artist to create this love letter to aesthetic design set against the story of a relationship blossoming between seamstress and prince." —Washington Post, from their "10 Best Graphic Novels of 2018"
"Jen Wang’s cartooning is full of warmth and charm." —AV Club, from their "10 Most Anticipated Comics of 2018"
"A unique and thoroughly modern fairy tale. . . . a great story about being true to yourself and the kind of companionship you can find when you do." —Nerdist
"This graphic novel has all the trappings of a rags-to-riches romance. And it is one—in a joyfully subversive and inclusive way." —Horn Book, starred review
"Gorgeously dense artwork, lively sense of movement, effervescent fashions, sweet romance, and heartwarming denouement." —Booklist, starred review
"With inviting illustrations and a relatable story line, this tender tale of friendship and identity is sure to delight even readers who aren’t fans of the graphic novel format."—School Library Journal, starred review
"It’s all but certain to deliver grins, gasps, and some happy tears." —Publisher Weekly, starred review
"A visual feast, filled with exuberant charm and delightful characters." —VOYA
"For kids who never found a Disney princess costume to fit—literally or figuratively—Wang offers a second chance to claim a fairy tale of one’s own. Readers new, or resistant, to graphic novels will also discover magic here in Wang’s visual storytelling." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
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