The Pea and the Princess

This is - as you might guess - the story of The Princess and the Pea, but told from the point of view of the pea, who, in this telling, makes a crucial intervention so that things come out right. It is told with the characteristic humour and brilliant illustrations of Mini Grey (also see her book Biscuit Bear). And it works as an empathy book because once children know the standard version of the story, they get the joke of taking the perspective of the pea instead, and they see just how different the explanation of 'what happened' is, when understood from someone else's view point. It is also told with a healthy scepticism for princesses, making fun of their stereotypes, which is a relief given how many books aimed at girls tell them in every way that this should be their ambition. Great to read aloud with girls and boys aged 3-5.