For Biddle's Sake

Up next, For Biddle's Sake, is another combination of fairy tales. The beginning is reminiscent of "Rapunzel" in that the father risks his neck to steal food from a powerful being - in this case being a fairy. But instead of stealing for his pregnant, parsley-craving wife, he steals for his sweet daughter who refuses to eat anything except parsley.

The fairy, though angry, falls in love with the girl Parsley's sweet smile and takes the child to live in the fairy's castle.

Later, the storyline picks up that of "Puddocky." We introduced to the three princes: Tansy and his twin older trouble-making brothers who blame everything on Tansy. Ripping the Royal Robe, breaking the Royal Scepter, laming the Royal Steed - you name it, the twins did it and convinced the king Tansy did it.

I'm going to skip most of the plot this time. I'll only say Parsley fell in love with Tansy before they even met, which made her fairy crazy with jealousy. She tried to turn Tansy into a frog, but Parsley jumped in the way, causing the curse to fall on her instead.

Now, deviating from the plot, let me just say that this particular story is one definitely suited for fans of the series. Ms. Levine makes several references to her former Princess Tales books. Frogs are a constant thing throughout the book, and each kind of frog is named after a former character in the series. As Prince Tansy searches for a bride, he remembers his history lessons of all the former queens of Biddle. And as Parsley uses her spyglass here and there in Biddle she sees two characters from the previous book who are still alive.

If ever a book was made for fans, this was it. And there's more, too, for those of you willing to look a bit closer. So what are you waiting for? There's very likely a copy of this book waiting for you at a nearby library or something. ;)