The 12 Dancing Princesses

A magic cloak. A hidden passage. A secret underground world beyond imagining.

Night after night, the princesses mysteriously wear out their shoes. But how are they doing it? The baffled king promises a great reward to any man who can solve the mystery.

From the colorful flurry of the princesses' dressing room to a captivating nighttime scene on an underground lake, Rachel Isadora has revitalized and reimagined this well-loved Brothers Grimm fairy tale by bringing the story of the twelve princesses to Africa. Her collage of blazing colors, rich textures and dramatic shapes evoke the patterns and palette of this beautiful continent. Returning to the lush setting of The Princess and the Pea, the unique presentation of this classic tale is sure to enchant readers with its vibrant imagery. 

Caldecott Honor-winning artist Rachel Isadora Rachel Isadora lived in Africa over a ten year period, inspiring her to create fairy tales in an African setting. Isadora is the author of the popular Lili at Ballet series.

Author and illustrator: Rachel Isadora. 32 pp. Ages: 4 - 8. Hardcover. Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, 2007.