The Paper Bag Princess
By Robert Munsch
The Story
After a dragon smashes her castle, burns all her clothes, and kidnaps her fiancé Prince Ronald, a quick-thinking princess sets off wearing only a paper bag to outwit the dragon and win him back.
Why It's Special
For the kid who's already decided that clever beats fancy every single time, this is the princess story that proves it.
- Big idea: Being smart and resourceful matters more than looking the part — and what you wear has nothing to do with what you're capable of.
- Vibes: Cheeky, fast-moving, and quietly rebellious, with a wink at every fairy-tale expectation it breaks.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories that turn fairy-tale rules upside down
- are working on trusting their own cleverness over appearances
- like to root for the underdog who refuses to quit
- respond well to short, punchy sentences perfect for reading aloud or solo
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Princess Elizabeth used her wits to do when she went after the dragon?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Elizabeth felt when she saw her castle smashed and her clothes burned?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to solve a problem without the right tools or the right clothes for the job?
- Imagination: If a dragon burned all your favorite clothes, what would you wear instead, and what would you do next?
- Character: Why do you think Elizabeth didn't give up, even with just a paper bag to wear?
