Friday Favorites: The Ordinary Princess

On Fridays I post a little shout out to one of my favorite books and explain why I love it so much. It gives me the chance to fangirl over books I never reviewed on this blog and lets me post about some not necessarily YA books I love.

Which book?
The Ordinary Princess, by M.M. Kay

Genre?
Middle-grade fantasy

Summary? (From GoodReads)
Along with Wit, Charm, Health, and Courage, Princess Amy of Phantasmorania receives a special fairy christening gift: Ordinariness. Unlike her six beautiful sisters, she has brown hair and freckles, and would rather have adventures than play the harp, embroider tapestries- or become a Queen. When her royal parents try to marry her off, Amy runs away, and because she's so ordinary, easily becomes the fourteenth assistant kitchen maid at a neighboring palace. And there, much to everyone's surprise, she meets a prince just as ordinary (and special) as she is!

When did I first read it?
Elementary school

Why did I first read it?
I think it was just one of the countless books that were always floating around my house growing up. I probably read it as part of reading homework (you know, where you have to read 20 minutes a day or whatever), most likely out loud with my mom.

What did I think about it then?
The Ordinary Princess is the first book I remember being my favorite book. I loved Amy and her ordinariness—and I loved the grumpy old fairy who blesses her with it. I also loved Amy’s animal friends. For someone who even as a kid wasn’t that into animals, I really loved books where girls had animals that were their best friends. Plus, the book has a few illustrations per chapter, which won my heart when I was a kid (and, let’s face it, still does now).

What do I think about it now?
Basically, I still think it’s a perfect fairytale and that all the characters are wonderful. Amy’s just so gosh darn likeable. And every time I read it, I’m reminded how funny it is too. I’ve seriously read this book so many times (and yes, my original copy has the classy cover pictured above)—I mean, I don’t think I could even begin to count the numbers of times I’ve read it. My original copy has had the cover taped back on so many times and is still falling apart because it’s been read so much. I have a newer copy now, but I still like to keep my old one on my shelf for old time’s sake. And really, this is my favorite book to read out loud.

Have you read this book? What did you think? What was your favorite book as a kid?