“THE PRINCESS IN BLACK AND THE HUNGRY BUNNY HORDE,” by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, Candlewick Press, $14.99, 85 pages (f) (ages 5-8)
Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants the unicorn are on their way to meet Princess Sneezewort for brunch at a cafe when Princess Magnolia’s glitter-stone ring rings, sounding the Monster Alarm in “The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde.”
Both Princess Magnolia and Frimplepants skipped breakfast in anticipation of brunch, and both are hungry as they use a cave to transform into the Princess in Black and Blacky in this third installment in the Princess in Black chapter book series.
When they show up to the entrance to Monster Land, the Princess in Black sees many cute bunnies and doesn’t think they are monsters. But the bunnies are hungry, too, and are eating just about everything — the grass for the goats, the trees and even a goat’s horn.
She tries her signature moves on the bunnies, which seem to be growing in number, and they don’t work — especially when the bunnies decide she might be good to eat.
The Princess in Black learns that not all monsters are big and ugly or eat goats; some are cute and need to be combated another way — one that Blacky can help with.
Husband-wife team and local authors Dean and Shannon Hale have put a fun and cute twist on their Princess in Black series. As the first two installments centered around the Princess in Black fighting monsters with her signature moves, it’s nice to see a resolution that focuses on communication and the help of others.
LeUyen Pham’s illustrations help share the cuteness and the problems the many bunnies cause.
For now, Princess Magnolia’s secret is safe, but Princess Sneezewort suspects something is amiss.
Three more books are planned for the series, with the fourth book scheduled to be released in November, the fifth in fall 2017 and the sixth in fall 2018.
If you go …
What: Shannon and Dean Hale book signing
When: Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Where: The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, princessinblack.com, squeetus.com
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Email: rappleye@deseretnews.com Twitter: CTRappleye