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The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Every night, the king locks his 12 daughters in their room. Every morning, he finds them looking pale with their new dancing slippers in tatters. Can a young gardener solve the mystery without becoming bewitched himself? Full color.
40 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 1989
About the author
Marianna Mayer
68 books76 followersMarianna Mayer lives in Roxbury, Connecticut.
"I see folktales and myths as humankind's first stories," says Marianna Mayer. "They are a kind of collective dreaming, filled with timeless symbols and images we can all relate to, regardless of age or culture. And, much as an oyster must be disturbed by a grain of sand in order for the pearl to be created, I often choose to retell stories in which I find unresolved fragments that are somehow perplexing to me."
Though widely known as a children's book writer, Marianna Mayer's early education focused on visual art. "It seems to me there was never a time when I didn't want to be an artist, " she says. "I liked to tell stories with pictures and compose music. My sister and I put on plays made up from my stories. And then I decided to start writing a book, at the age of nine." She published her first book at the age of nineteen. After college, she studied painting at the Art Students League in New York City. Her experiences as an artist provided many images that she began to incorporate into writing. Gradually, she shifted to the written word as a medium of expression. She explains, "I began to feel more freedom when using words as my paints and plots as my canvases.
"While in the midst of a writing project, I live so much in my mind that what takes place in my imagination becomes quite real to me. I try to become part of the culture of a particular tale as much as possible. While working on Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, for example, I read all I could about Russia. What I learned about Slavic mythology helped to deepen my understanding of the story. I listened to Russian music, ate Russian food (which I love!), and tried in other small ways to enter into the essence of that culture."
"My writing is deeply personal. First and foremost I write for the child who still lives within me. Then to the child in others, whether that child resides in a young person or an adult. I'm striving to reach out to that spirit of wonder within us all. The stories I was told as a child, those half-remembered folktales and myths, have become the foundation for what I continue to work on in my books. The sense of hope that books instilled in me as a child saw me through many difficult times. Because of this, I choose characters who face overwhelming odds but triumph through courage and perseverance. Similarly, myth allows a child to believe in his or her own dreams and can instill a boundless hope for the future."
"I see folktales and myths as humankind's first stories," says Marianna Mayer. "They are a kind of collective dreaming, filled with timeless symbols and images we can all relate to, regardless of age or culture. And, much as an oyster must be disturbed by a grain of sand in order for the pearl to be created, I often choose to retell stories in which I find unresolved fragments that are somehow perplexing to me."
Though widely known as a children's book writer, Marianna Mayer's early education focused on visual art. "It seems to me there was never a time when I didn't want to be an artist, " she says. "I liked to tell stories with pictures and compose music. My sister and I put on plays made up from my stories. And then I decided to start writing a book, at the age of nine." She published her first book at the age of nineteen. After college, she studied painting at the Art Students League in New York City. Her experiences as an artist provided many images that she began to incorporate into writing. Gradually, she shifted to the written word as a medium of expression. She explains, "I began to feel more freedom when using words as my paints and plots as my canvases.
"While in the midst of a writing project, I live so much in my mind that what takes place in my imagination becomes quite real to me. I try to become part of the culture of a particular tale as much as possible. While working on Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave, for example, I read all I could about Russia. What I learned about Slavic mythology helped to deepen my understanding of the story. I listened to Russian music, ate Russian food (which I love!), and tried in other small ways to enter into the essence of that culture."
"My writing is deeply personal. First and foremost I write for the child who still lives within me. Then to the child in others, whether that child resides in a young person or an adult. I'm striving to reach out to that spirit of wonder within us all. The stories I was told as a child, those half-remembered folktales and myths, have become the foundation for what I continue to work on in my books. The sense of hope that books instilled in me as a child saw me through many difficult times. Because of this, I choose characters who face overwhelming odds but triumph through courage and perseverance. Similarly, myth allows a child to believe in his or her own dreams and can instill a boundless hope for the future."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
March 5, 2021
I am familiar with this particular story, because my mom loved reading fairy tales to my sister and me, including uncommon ones such as this one. As a primary-school teacher, I would make a point of exposing my young students to such fairy tales through read-alouds.
This mysteriously-captivating story by Marianna Mayer is richly enhanced by the exquisite paintings of Kinuko Y. Craft, whom I became acquainted with through her retelling and sumptuously-illustrated Cinderella.
This book is a must-read (and see!) for all fairy tale fans!
This mysteriously-captivating story by Marianna Mayer is richly enhanced by the exquisite paintings of Kinuko Y. Craft, whom I became acquainted with through her retelling and sumptuously-illustrated Cinderella.
This book is a must-read (and see!) for all fairy tale fans!
March 6, 2019
Now honestly and truly, I have actually never (and since childhood) really enjoyed the Brothers Grimm's tale about twelve dancing princesses and their tattered slippers (Die zertanzten Schuhe, The Worn-Out Dancing Shoes). For one, there really is not all that much "magic" present in the tale, and the princesses in fact only admit their nocturnal escapades because they realise that their secret has finally been discovered (that the game is up so to speak). Furthermore and to and for me more importantly, I have also always found it majorly problematic that in the original Grimms' tale of Die zertanzten Schuhe, the suitors who are unable to discover the secret of the dancing shoes are executed by the king (and indeed that this well-known fact does not seem to matter one iota to the twelve princesses, who proceed to callously drug the wine of their hapless suitors so that their secrets will remain undiscovered).
Yes, I do know and reaslise that there is violence and the threat of the same in many if not even the majority of folk and fairy tales (and that the actual executions are ordered by the king), but in my opinion, the attitude of the twelve dancing princesses is really quite cold and calculating, a testament to their own vanity and desire for pleasure. On the other hand, I am equally well aware of the fact that the king depicted in Die zertanzten Schuhe has also chosen to lock his daughters in their bedchamber at night and am angered by the fact that he would even consider doing such a thing. Now perhaps the king's original act of absolute parental control could or should be considered as the actual impetus to the princesses' actions, a form of rebellion against parental (patriarchal) authority. However, and that having been said, that still cannot make me accept the fact that the princesses would knowingly send potential suitors to their likely doom, simply in order to safeguard their secret dancing.
And with the above in mind, I must admit that I actually somewhat prefer Marianna Mayer's adaptation of the Grimms' tale, although I do believe that her The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a bit text-heavy and thus more suitable for older children (as I could well imagine younger children becoming a bit distracted and losing interest or focus). I do think that Mayer has managed to successfully keep the spirit of the original tale, while removing some of its less palatable aspects. There is, fortunately, in her The Twelve Dancing Princesses no longer any mention of possible executions, and while the princesses are still rather vain and seemingly bent on pursuing their dancing pleasure, they are, in fact, also as it turns out bewitched and enchanted, no longer simply the calculating, seemingly heartless princesses of the original Grimms' tale of Die zertanzten Schuhe. And when Elise then stops Peter from drinking the potion (as told in Marianna Mayer's adaptation), she not only saves him, but also breaks the spell cast upon the princesses themselves (and indeed, in the Grimms' tale, the princesses are never enchanted or under a spell, they just do not want to give up their secret dancing pleasures and will do anything to keep their secret).
As with regard to the accompanying illustrations, I honestly do not think that I can adequately describe Kinuko Y. Craft's wonderful illustrations. They are luminous, absorbingly detailed, a perfect complement and addition to Marianna Mayer's engaging and flowing narrative. And yes, even children who do not yet read (and who might find the text of The Twelve Dancing Princesses too dense and wordy) would likely take pleasure poring over Craft's evocative, intricate pictures, which tell the story of the twelve dancing princesses almost as well and absorbingly as the author's text itself does.
Finally, Marianna Mayer's adaptation, her The Twelve Dancing Princesses really does deserve five stars from an adaptation and narrational point of departure. And yes, if her tale of the twelve dancing princesses had been a completely original fairy tale and not a retelling , not an adaptation, I would have no qualms whatsoever rating it thus (with five stars). However, The Twelve Dancing Princesses is CLEARLY a specific reimagining of the Grimms' tale of Die zertanzten Schuhe, and I simply cannot understand (or accept) the fact that Marianna Mayer has not provided any author's note, or even a short blurb acknowledging her sources (I mean, it is not as though the Brothers Grimm are unknown entities). And in my opinion, it is not only somewhat academically suspect at best for her not to have made note of the Grimms' original tale (and even a very short note of acknowledgment would have sufficed), it is also somewhat if not even majorly disrespectful of the Brothers Grimm and their legacy.
Yes, I do know and reaslise that there is violence and the threat of the same in many if not even the majority of folk and fairy tales (and that the actual executions are ordered by the king), but in my opinion, the attitude of the twelve dancing princesses is really quite cold and calculating, a testament to their own vanity and desire for pleasure. On the other hand, I am equally well aware of the fact that the king depicted in Die zertanzten Schuhe has also chosen to lock his daughters in their bedchamber at night and am angered by the fact that he would even consider doing such a thing. Now perhaps the king's original act of absolute parental control could or should be considered as the actual impetus to the princesses' actions, a form of rebellion against parental (patriarchal) authority. However, and that having been said, that still cannot make me accept the fact that the princesses would knowingly send potential suitors to their likely doom, simply in order to safeguard their secret dancing.
And with the above in mind, I must admit that I actually somewhat prefer Marianna Mayer's adaptation of the Grimms' tale, although I do believe that her The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a bit text-heavy and thus more suitable for older children (as I could well imagine younger children becoming a bit distracted and losing interest or focus). I do think that Mayer has managed to successfully keep the spirit of the original tale, while removing some of its less palatable aspects. There is, fortunately, in her The Twelve Dancing Princesses no longer any mention of possible executions, and while the princesses are still rather vain and seemingly bent on pursuing their dancing pleasure, they are, in fact, also as it turns out bewitched and enchanted, no longer simply the calculating, seemingly heartless princesses of the original Grimms' tale of Die zertanzten Schuhe. And when Elise then stops Peter from drinking the potion (as told in Marianna Mayer's adaptation), she not only saves him, but also breaks the spell cast upon the princesses themselves (and indeed, in the Grimms' tale, the princesses are never enchanted or under a spell, they just do not want to give up their secret dancing pleasures and will do anything to keep their secret).
As with regard to the accompanying illustrations, I honestly do not think that I can adequately describe Kinuko Y. Craft's wonderful illustrations. They are luminous, absorbingly detailed, a perfect complement and addition to Marianna Mayer's engaging and flowing narrative. And yes, even children who do not yet read (and who might find the text of The Twelve Dancing Princesses too dense and wordy) would likely take pleasure poring over Craft's evocative, intricate pictures, which tell the story of the twelve dancing princesses almost as well and absorbingly as the author's text itself does.
Finally, Marianna Mayer's adaptation, her The Twelve Dancing Princesses really does deserve five stars from an adaptation and narrational point of departure. And yes, if her tale of the twelve dancing princesses had been a completely original fairy tale and not a retelling , not an adaptation, I would have no qualms whatsoever rating it thus (with five stars). However, The Twelve Dancing Princesses is CLEARLY a specific reimagining of the Grimms' tale of Die zertanzten Schuhe, and I simply cannot understand (or accept) the fact that Marianna Mayer has not provided any author's note, or even a short blurb acknowledging her sources (I mean, it is not as though the Brothers Grimm are unknown entities). And in my opinion, it is not only somewhat academically suspect at best for her not to have made note of the Grimms' original tale (and even a very short note of acknowledgment would have sufficed), it is also somewhat if not even majorly disrespectful of the Brothers Grimm and their legacy.
May 1, 2009
Though the story is a bit over-long, it is nicely told. This earns five stars, though, due to the absolutely exquisite artwork! Oh, wow! What a gorgeous presentation. From the sweet little borders to the full-page spreads, this is nothing but beauty-beauty-beauty! Rich and decadent, full of flowers and silks and romance. A highly recommended visual feast!
June 11, 2020
Splendid, just splendid!
February 27, 2021
This particular version of the old fairytale is very well done, and the illustrations are beautiful!
Great to read aloud with children!
Great to read aloud with children!
January 1, 2019
Lush illustrations by K.Y. Craft coupled with the highly imaginative version of this tale, make this a five star illustrated book.
There were twelve lovely sisters, each one beautifully different from the others, and collectively all were stunningly attractive. When Peter, a farm boy from a local village felt it was time to leave his life and start a new. Learning of the twelve princesses, he vowed to capture the heart of one and marry her. Previously, each suitor that asked for the hand of a princess was turned away.
Each night the King locked his lovely daughters in a beautiful room with twelve beautiful beds. Each morning, much to the King's amazement, the soles of all slippers were shredded to pieces. The king wondered how this happened since he made very sure they could not get out at night, nor could anyone get in.
Before her death her mother consulted a fortune teller who said that until the secret is found , they daughters cannot marry.
When the darkness filled the night sky, the princesses were transported to a magical place when the eldest sister knocked three times on her bed, as winding staircase appeared. Gleefully, the princesses escaped to a place where all those who previously tried to obtain their love were forever bound to dance with the princesses throughout the night into the morning.
Peter, now the gardener of the palace, found a flower that rendered him invisible. Using this flower, he silently crept into the bedroom and watched and followed the princesses where they danced all night.
The youngest sister was the one who caught his eye. Where he invisibly walked home with the princesses, a petal from the magical flower snapped, but safely he arrived back in time. The next day, he took a stem from the magical flower and placed it into the youngest daughter's bouquet.
When confronted, Peter vowed he would never break the secret even though they offered money to him for his silence.
Because of his humbleness and truthfulness, the spell was broken and he was able to have the hand of the youngest sister.
There were twelve lovely sisters, each one beautifully different from the others, and collectively all were stunningly attractive. When Peter, a farm boy from a local village felt it was time to leave his life and start a new. Learning of the twelve princesses, he vowed to capture the heart of one and marry her. Previously, each suitor that asked for the hand of a princess was turned away.
Each night the King locked his lovely daughters in a beautiful room with twelve beautiful beds. Each morning, much to the King's amazement, the soles of all slippers were shredded to pieces. The king wondered how this happened since he made very sure they could not get out at night, nor could anyone get in.
Before her death her mother consulted a fortune teller who said that until the secret is found , they daughters cannot marry.
When the darkness filled the night sky, the princesses were transported to a magical place when the eldest sister knocked three times on her bed, as winding staircase appeared. Gleefully, the princesses escaped to a place where all those who previously tried to obtain their love were forever bound to dance with the princesses throughout the night into the morning.
Peter, now the gardener of the palace, found a flower that rendered him invisible. Using this flower, he silently crept into the bedroom and watched and followed the princesses where they danced all night.
The youngest sister was the one who caught his eye. Where he invisibly walked home with the princesses, a petal from the magical flower snapped, but safely he arrived back in time. The next day, he took a stem from the magical flower and placed it into the youngest daughter's bouquet.
When confronted, Peter vowed he would never break the secret even though they offered money to him for his silence.
Because of his humbleness and truthfulness, the spell was broken and he was able to have the hand of the youngest sister.
March 19, 2011
This has never been one of my favorite fairy tales, but this edition of it is one of six selected books for the Picture Books Club’s April “Royalty” theme over at the Children's Books group, so I read it again, for the first time since I was a young child.
The fact that I like it better than I did then is most like due to the amazing pictures. They are luminous, gorgeous, and lush, and all the pictures tell the story and fit the story so well. I also enjoyed that in this version the hero is a gardener and not (yet another) prince.
For a fairy tale for young kids, I did think the tale part was very long, perhaps too long for one sitting with young children. But, I enjoyed it and I think kids with adequate attention spans will too, especially given the quality of the illustrations. that will keep them enthralled as they listen.
I doubt I’d ever have reread this fairy tale if not for this online book group so, once again, thanks to the Picture Books Club and the Children's Books group.
I do think it’s a weird little tale, but that can be said of many fairy tales.
The fact that I like it better than I did then is most like due to the amazing pictures. They are luminous, gorgeous, and lush, and all the pictures tell the story and fit the story so well. I also enjoyed that in this version the hero is a gardener and not (yet another) prince.
For a fairy tale for young kids, I did think the tale part was very long, perhaps too long for one sitting with young children. But, I enjoyed it and I think kids with adequate attention spans will too, especially given the quality of the illustrations. that will keep them enthralled as they listen.
I doubt I’d ever have reread this fairy tale if not for this online book group so, once again, thanks to the Picture Books Club and the Children's Books group.
I do think it’s a weird little tale, but that can be said of many fairy tales.
May 16, 2009
Let me start by saying how beautiful and vibrant the illustrations in this book are - they are truly eye catching and classic.
The story is also beautifully told. Like most fairy tales it isn't incredibly in-depth, but Mayer manages to say a lot with a few carefully chosen phrases so that it feels like there's so much more to the story than it initially would appear.
With beautiful words and exquisite illustrations, this book manages to capture and convey true enchantment.
The story is also beautifully told. Like most fairy tales it isn't incredibly in-depth, but Mayer manages to say a lot with a few carefully chosen phrases so that it feels like there's so much more to the story than it initially would appear.
With beautiful words and exquisite illustrations, this book manages to capture and convey true enchantment.
December 29, 2019
The classic fairy-tale of the twelve dancing princesses, their worn-out slippers, and the young boy who solves the mystery of their night-time activities and frees them from their enchantment, is here presented in an exquisitely-illustrated picture book. I am a huge fan of Kinuko Craft's work, and this title does not disappoint. With her jewel-like palate and her attention to detail, Craft creates an absorbing visual narrative that perfectly complements the romance of the tale. The painting of the twelve sisters conferring, with Elise in the center, is perhaps the finest in the book.
I have always loved fairy-tales, but although I spent hours poring over these stories as a child, this lovely tale somehow failed to make a lasting impression upon me. I couldn't say for sure, but it almost seems as if it has become more popular in the last decade or so. There have been many recent picture-book adaptations, with illustrations by artists such as Ruth Sanderson, Jane Ray, Dorothée Duntze, and the brilliant László Gál, but this is by far my favorite. The narrative by Marianna Mayer is a fairly smooth adaptation of the original tale from the Brothers Grimm (The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces), in which the prince is replaced by a humble but loving gardener. I did find myself wishing, as I so often do, that some mention of the tale's origin had been made.
I have always loved fairy-tales, but although I spent hours poring over these stories as a child, this lovely tale somehow failed to make a lasting impression upon me. I couldn't say for sure, but it almost seems as if it has become more popular in the last decade or so. There have been many recent picture-book adaptations, with illustrations by artists such as Ruth Sanderson, Jane Ray, Dorothée Duntze, and the brilliant László Gál, but this is by far my favorite. The narrative by Marianna Mayer is a fairly smooth adaptation of the original tale from the Brothers Grimm (The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces), in which the prince is replaced by a humble but loving gardener. I did find myself wishing, as I so often do, that some mention of the tale's origin had been made.
July 17, 2021
A sumptuous retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Kinuko Y. Craft's illustrations are absolutely magical. I love the medieval-Renaissance-early modern mishmash of styles: it's peak princess. Mayer's take on the story is sweet, another true-love-breaks-the-spell thing, but I couldn't help finding overtones of My Sister, The Serial Killer. I doubt Oyinkan Braithwaite was paying homage to this tale with her two fictional sisters, but now I'm wondering if there's a dark retelling of this tale out there somewhere.
June 3, 2009
Never one of my favorite fairy tales, but Mayer is a charming writer and the illustrations are just gorgeous.
April 23, 2023
Kraft's artwork is sheer beauty.
April 10, 2011
I read this with a small head lamp I held in my hand and then looked at the pictures again in normal lighting later. Reading a picture book in the dark is not a normal practice for my but my daughter is teething and she wanted me near when she feel asleep. I am so glad I looked at the pictures in both settings. The illustrations are gorgeous and hold magic especially when looked at with the little light I rolled it around the pages, some several times. My favorite page to view this way was the one with the castle. It was magical it seemed to almost illuminate when you caught the lighter areas of the picture just right. I loved the way the castle looked. Hopefully if you give it a try you will get the same effects.
The story is a version of the Twelve Dancing Princesses tale. The story of princesses who every morning have worn out satin dancing slippers and the mystery of how they got them. I liked the humble farmer who sets out to help solve the mystery for the king despite that others think he is foolish. I agree with others who stated the tale was a bit long.
This was a Picture Book Club read for this month's theme Royalty found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
The story is a version of the Twelve Dancing Princesses tale. The story of princesses who every morning have worn out satin dancing slippers and the mystery of how they got them. I liked the humble farmer who sets out to help solve the mystery for the king despite that others think he is foolish. I agree with others who stated the tale was a bit long.
This was a Picture Book Club read for this month's theme Royalty found here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
April 5, 2015
Some subtle changes to the story - it works very well. Illustrations are magical.
November 24, 2015
Wonderful retelling; gorgeous illustrations.
April 29, 2020
Sumptuous, gorgeous illustrations and an excellent retelling of a classic tale. A joy to read!
September 1, 2019
I loved this book so much as a child that I kept it with me when I moved out. And now I’ve read it to Sophie for the first of many times. This book is a delight, and the artwork is amazing.
April 3, 2019
Illustrations - 5 stars
Story - 2 and 1/2 stars
Story - 2 and 1/2 stars
July 25, 2023
This is a beautiful book. Well written and lovely illustrations.
What I don't like about this story is that it reinforces the notion that kindness equates to interest and that there can be pursuit in the place where you work. Those two things that have happened to me in real life and have not been very pleasant.
Still, a great addition to any collection.
✨✨✨✨✨
What I don't like about this story is that it reinforces the notion that kindness equates to interest and that there can be pursuit in the place where you work. Those two things that have happened to me in real life and have not been very pleasant.
Still, a great addition to any collection.
✨✨✨✨✨
January 18, 2019
Love the pictures. The side insert pictures are an extra plus. This is a great retelling of a classic story about 12 princesses who seem a bit spoiled. The poor gardener falls in love with the youngest princess, but it is not easy to win her heart. Find out how he does it. Great to read aloud and discuss with kids of all ages.
January 13, 2016
A well-done retelling! (But Peter does not look very masculine.)
December 31, 2017
Some precious-lady stereotyping, but not much. Gorgeous art, lots of white people.
September 16, 2019
I decided to read this since I read House of Salt and Sorrows and I thought it would be good to read the original story. I don’t really have much to say about it though.
August 9, 2018
Beautifully illustrated and told, this book was recommended to me by a writer friend, as I am working on a fairy tale; and it was perfectly lovely.
April 20, 2024
I love how the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses is shifted in this one - the girls have more agency, and I quite enjoyed it.
July 1, 2009
Our girls like to look up books on our library's online catalogue. This weekend she looked up dancing. For fun, we borrowed a couple of versions of the Brothers Grimm story, The Twelve Dancing Princesses. This is a very elaborately illustrated and expanded version of the tale. It's a longer story overall than the other story we read and the intricate illustrations are gorgeous. We really enjoyed our little experiment.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the April 2011 Royalty-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
This book was featured as one of the selections for the April 2011 Royalty-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
October 17, 2016
What a beautiful and stunning book. I remember reading this as a child and being mesmerized by the illustrations and the story line. Nothing has changed two decades later. The author Marianna Mayer writes a story that can easily be categorized as a fairy tale. Twelve princess that are under a spell sneak away in the night to dance until the souls of their shoes are worn out. Each page shows impeccable details that makes the story rich. I gave this book a five rating because it is timeless and keeps the attention of the reader through and through. I also like the fact that it can interest not just girl readers but boy readers as well. If you have not read this book, read it as soon as possible!
September 29, 2011
This is a great fairy tale and each time I read this it feels like I am reading the book for the first time. But there is not much explanation given about the magical place the princesses visit at night and why they were specially chosen to inhabit them. Hey! but that is the beauty of a fairy tale. It defies explanation and makes you go with the flow
October 19, 2016
A great story of twelve princesses that dance all night long and return home to their father the king with worn out shoes. His daughters refuse to tell them their secret. A man comes to the palace determined to help break a spell and maybe even gain a wife. A must read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews