Still, I was a little worried starting this reread. The villains (a cadre of evil wizards) are threatening but also kind of silly, and overall it feels like Patricia C.

Even now, I enjoyed escaping to this whimsical, enchanted world, with its droll fractured-fairy-tale tone.

Wredeĭealing with Dragons and its sequels were some of my favorite books when I was about ten years old, and I’m pleased to say that this one is still a great comfort read. As Kazul’s princess she discovers unscrupulous wizards plotting against the dragons, learns about magic, and spends enough time turning away the persistent princes who have come to rescue her that she finally posts a sign warning potential suitors to stay away.Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Cimorene endears herself to Kazul by making a most coveted dish - cherries jubilee – and proceeds to create an anti-flammable potion to withstand the dangers of living with fire breathing beasts. While other princesses in the kingdom fret over being captured by dragons, Princess Cimorene leaves her mundane royal life behind and runs away to the Enchanted Forest where she takes up with the dragon Kazul. She wants to learn to fence and speak Latin, both of which are frowned upon activities for princesses. No lady-like embroidery and arranged marriages for her, thank you very much. In the first book of the series, Dealing with Dragons, we meet Princess Cimorene who is not at all interested in towing the princess line. Wrede offers up a perfect combination of adventure, magic, and feisty princess.

In The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, author Patricia C. We watched Disney princess fare without qualms, but I also made sure to include plenty of opportunities for them to meet strong female characters in books and movies (and of course, in real life!). Even so, I did want my boys to grow up knowing that women are just as capable as men. I didn’t have to worry (like some of my friends with daughters did) that reading or watching movies about princesses saved from peril by handsome princesses would inspire a “rescue me” attitude.

Enchanted forest wrede