This lovely 2004 book, dedicated in memory of Princess Di, gathers some of the most potent of the princess stories with illustrations by "Rackham, Dulac, Sowerby, Nielson, Robinson and Jesse Wilcox Smith." It is a lovely book to behold. Children will enjoy the various faces of these well-known fairy princesses. I am giving this as a Christmas gift. Eventually, perhaps, I'll find a copy to share with bookcrossing. In the meantime, dear reader, if you've found this on my bookshelf, I hope you'll find a copy to read or share yourself.

From the introduction by editor Cooper Edens:

Gathering the stories Cinderella (first published in 1697), The Frog Prince (1812), The Little Mermaid (1836), The Princess and the Pea (1836), Rapunzel (1812), Sleeping Beauty (1696), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1812), and Beauty and the Beast (1756) into one volume combines some of the most astonishing symbolism in literature. From Cinderella's glass slipper and midnight warning to Sleeping Beauty's spindle and hundred-year spell to the living mirror and glass coffin in Snow White, we find evidence of our fascination with the arcane through the centuries.

But even these symbols are faint in comparison to what I believe to be these princesses' common origin and shared purpose. The stories of eight girls supernaturally involved in becoming princesses are. in fact, one and the same story--a story that clearly represents to us that evil cannot absolutely destroy what is real and good.

I now have a copy of this for bookcrossing. What shall I do with it?

This is a lovely anthology. I hope it will be enjoyed in its new home. Off it goes soon to Ohio.

I will read this. I like princesses. Thank you.