Princess Smartypants (1986) By: Babette Cole

This book is a fairy tale with a modern twist.  Princess Smartypants longed to live in her castle with her pets and never marry, but her parents were pressuring her to find a husband.  When suitors arrive at the castle, she sets up challenges designed to make them fail.  Even though one prince completes all her challenges, she kisses him to turn him into a toad and with that news, no other princes wanted to marry her, which was exactly what she wanted.  The illustrations are humorous, fun and wacky watercolors.  As a reader, I thought this book was a refreshing take on a fairy tale complete with a resourceful and intelligent princess who is content with her fabulous life.  Plus, there is a lesson about staying true to yourself and doing what makes you happy, regardless of what others may think.  As a teacher, I would have students compare and contrast this book to a traditional fairy tale.  They could also write alternative endings to this story or create their own modern fairy tale to share with the class.