If the Shoe Fits (The Princess School, #1) by Jane B. Mason

If the Shoe Fits (The Princess School, #1) Reviews

• 
  Veronica Steiger-Gaboury

  Ugh. I just wrote a pretty long review and something made it disappear.
  And of course I didn't save it first. Ugh. Anyway...
  
  My 7 year old has been eating and loving these books. Her eyes light up when she reads them. She even has to put the book down sometimes because she gets so upset with some action a character did. She asked me to read these books along with her and I said yes, but it really did just go on the bottom of my own huge mental pile of books-to-read until I was trapped under a sleeping child and this book was the only thing I could reach.
  
  I was very grateful and happy that Jane Mason and Sarah Hines Stephens are so good at telling a good story. By using the main princess characters that many of us know, with peeks at a few other fairy tale characters (Red Riding Hood), these authors weave the story of 'before they were famous.' This book is about Ella and how she not only has to deal with her horrible backstory (abusive family, yes a silent father is abusive in this situation), but also school, fitting in, figuring out who she is, clothes that don't fit and are rags, bone wearying chores, and dealing with other girls who bully.
  
  Overall, I found the voice of this story easy to get into and easy to like. I found that what and how the authors were saying was a really great and powerful message for young girls to hear. Life is tough sometimes, but a magic wand will not solve your problems, however if you study hard, work hard and do the right thing (even when it is hard) and surround yourself with a strong support group of friends you can weather anything.
  
  I will not worry about my daughter being so absorbed in these stories. They are well-written with a good message told by likable characters who don't get a wand and a fairy godmother to get them out of the difficult times, they have to use their brains and count on their friends. This was a good read.
• 
  Katrina

  This was a cute little read. I liked that the princesses were all had the same recognizable story that everyone is used to. With this being a middle grade book, the familiarity of the character's backstories made it easier to read. This wasn't exactly my cup of tea, as I'm way out of the age range for the target audience of this book, but I have some nieces in elementary school that I"m sure would love this, so I'll be passing this along to them.
• 
  DarkFantasyReviews

  I Had Bought This Book When I Was In My 4th Standard. Today I Felt Like Reading It Again As It Has Become A Vintage Book. Firstly I Would Like To Say That The Cover Photo Is Beautiful. Though It Has Become A Little Bit Rusty But I Still Love It.
  
  This Book Was A Cute Little Read. I Love The Fact That All The Four Princesses Have Almost The Same Kind Of Story. I Simply Loved This Book. It Is Funny, Sad, Cute, Light, And Whimsical, Basically All In One. I Like The Cuteness Of Rapunzel, The Sweetness Of Snow White, The Annoyance Of Sleeping Beauty, And Ella's Determination.
• 
  Meg McGregor

  I simply loved this book! It is funny, sad, whimsical, light, everything a fairy tale should be. I especially love how each princesses point of view is explored. Cannot wait to read the next one!
• 
  Charlotte

  This was a super cute take on the famous classic fairytale princesses. I liked the spunk and cuteness of Rapunzel, the friendliness and sweetness of Snow white and the cute annoyance of "sleeping beauty" over her parents' constant worrying and ella's determination. I wasn't so thrilled about their desire to get a little revenge on the evil step-sisters, or teach them a lesson. But of course all the adults in their lives were useless or scaredy-cats or mean and evil too so they had no choice and not enough maturity to handle the situation themselves. Fortunately they didn't really end up pulling any truly evil tricks on the villians but they did stand up for themselves and rally together.
  
  Why do so many children's books leave the children in charge without adults to guide them? Why do we tell our children stories about awful parents and useless teachers? Don't we want to encourage them to trust us and look up to us as role models? We're not perfect but I don't want my kids to assume that they're alone and need to take everything on their own shoulders. I guess in some ways it's always very exciting to see children heroes and enjoying incredible adventures but in some ways it's also so sad. I'm sure real children without loving parents and supportive teachers don't feel like their living some heroic adventure or fairytale. . ..
• 
  Sierra

  A quick read, but I would definitely recommend it for any children you know!
  
  All the main characters are strong young girls who are independent in their own ways. Rapunzel is a Tom boy, Rose is pretty but fierce, Snow White is kind yet naive, and Ella is kind yet strong in her own way. It’s so amazing to see a diverse set of personalities for young girls! I can see why I wanted to reread this book the first time I read it in sixth grade. It’s a wonderful, well written read that isn’t too difficult for readers to understand. Plus, with the slight change in perspectives (this is a third person narrative, but the narrator tells all stories from the eyes of the main characters) it makes the story more compelling. The flow of the writing is excellent, the plot is good and the book is quite charming!
  
  I’d definitely read again, not only is this the perfect book for children (mostly those in elementary and middle school) but it’s also a light hearted book for all ages! The characters are relatable, filled with personality and realistic. Their girls who joke around, have anxieties, and deal with day to day troubles. Definitely recommend if you like authors like Shannon Hale or Gale Carson Levine.
• 
  Hannah

  “’Really? Does being mean keep you from being hurt?’ Snow asked.
  ‘Well, not exactly,’ Ella admitted.”
  -
  This is admittedly not as good as it was when I read it for the first time, but that was over ten years ago, and I feel old. I recently remembered the existence of this series, which I was quite fond of. I also have this urge to reread books of my childhood. These books are hard to find, but I snagged three books from the series for a couple of bucks each at my bookstore. While I don’t remember much, I do remember the four main characters: Rapunzel is an impulsive tomboy, Snow is a naïve and silly animal lover, Rose is pretty + overprotected but actually strong, and Ella is shy. I also remember Val, Rapunzel’s friend, having a crush on Rose. I enjoy how this book pieces together Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Rapunzel, and other fairytale aspects into an academy setting. In this first book, Ella has just started her first year at the Princess School, where her stepsisters already attend and are now sabotaging her at school. With the help of her friends, Ella makes it to the ball.
• 
  Leah

  The story is told from the point of views of the familiar fairytale characters Snow White, Rose (Sleeping Beauty), Cinderella, and Rapunzel as they navigate their first days of Princess School. They become close friends and overcome obstacles. Near the end of the book, they unite to help Cinderella prepare for the Coronation Ball. Of course Cinderella is the belle of the ball, but this time, she doesn't have to leave when the clock strikes Midnight.
  A short, friendly Cinderella story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
• 
  ThundertheKilljoy

  A feel-good book, at least for me. Partly.
  Well, let's start with the negative. This happens to me with all books, where whenever the sisters are being cruel and just straight-up rude, I get very mad and irritated. There's no need to be so nasty!
  Now for the positive. I loved the ending when Rapunzel, Rose, and Snow (is there someone I'm forgetting?) all helped Ella look her best for the Coronation Ball. It physically made me smile, which is rare with me.
  I would not recommend this to my middle-school friends, but I would recommend it to younger readers.
• 
  Ardin Patterson

  When I was in the 4th grade, I was obsessed with this series...so obsessed that my parents got me the entire set for Christmas. I was so excited.
  To this day...I'm 24 this month, I still have the set and I like to go back and read it with my niece. The stories are still as fun and as magical as they were back when I was a little girl. It was one of my favourite gifts I've ever gotten.
• 
  chiara

  i really miss middle grade books. the low stakes, the earnest characters, the peace that comes with the fact that you KNOW it's going to be a happy ending. i wish there were more YA and adult books like this
• 
  Karen Patrick

  Came in a boxed set with other books and honestly, the only thing I am super angry about is the fact that no teacher at the school seems to even acknowledge the abuse faced by Cinderella, a literal 10 year old girl??? Bruh.
• 
  Kelli Blake

  Quick, fun read
• 
  Sarah-Beth

  Really cute high-school princess AU sorta thing
• 
  ✨Jinglemarco✨

  
  This is so cute! But I feel like I will be pleased with the whole 1-3 books omnibus as a united story instead of the single books.
• 
  Andrea Cobos

  Mi primer libro
• 
  Brittany

  A cute take on the princesses before they became true princesses. A little silly, but pretty well written for the age range.
• 
  Julie

  I liked this better than I thought I would. I have a thing against princesses. But I love school stories.
  
  Main premise is that Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel are all going to Princess School. They meet for the first time there. I'm not sure how old they are. Tweenage, I would guess. Their stories aren't quite the same as in the fairy tale. Cinderella is living with her evil stepmother, stepsisters, and ineffectual dad. Rapunzel, however, has escaped her tower with the encouragement (if not actual help) of a boy prince.
  
  When you're taking a fairy tale, messing with it, and turning it into a children's book, there's a real risk of being cutesy and funny to the point of being unfunny and uncute and just plain annoying. Martial arts moves in case you're attacked by a wolf on your way through the woods? I wasn't so keen on that bit. But then when a teacher explains that many frogs have acquired adaptive camouflage of spots in the shape of a crown on their head to fool unsuspecting princesses into thinking they're princes and therefore being nice to them.. well, that was pretty cool. And scientific! Yea, froggy evolution totally would do that!
  
  And I couldn't really hate any of the princesses, even if there was a lot of niceness and friendship and looking pretty in pretty dresses going on.
  
  What I disliked was that the princess school isn't a boarding school. There are some real-world American analogs that I would've preferred not be there. Hearthroom instead of homeroom. Trunks instead of lockers. I think an older style of school would've fit better in this fairy tale world.
  
  I will be reading the next one though, because this book ended with the tantalizing promise of a competition between the Princess School and the Grimm School, which is the school of witches. Games, along with school, is another weak point of mine! Curses!
  
  
• 
  Maggie

  This was a really good book. It's about the princesses when they are kids and haven't become princesses yet. In this book, they are learning to become a princess. The main characters are Ella (Cinderella), Snow (Snow White), Rapunzel, and Rose (Sleeping Beauty). The moral of this story is to stand up against mean people. And all of the princesses worked together. It's funny how all of the main characters live the same life as they do when they are older. Only Ella's step -sister's are named Hagatha and Prunilla. I'm excited to read the next book of this series.
  P.S. My friends and I had fun acting out this story yesterday!
• 
  Skyeler

  A princess story for young girls, we did it as a read aloud. I was only planning on giving it two stars, as I have read many fairy tale retellings and this one was just okay, with nothing to make it stand out as special or really hold attention. However, the girls (K-2) loved it. The idea of a princess story being told in a slightly different way, and figuring out which girl was which princess, and how that lined up with what they knew about the princesses from Disney, turned out to be very fun for them. Still, it doesn't compare to other children's classic fairy tale stories (think Ella Enchanted.)