Sir Princess Petra

The Pen Pieyu Adventures

Children - Fantasy/Sci-Fi
64 Pages
Reviewed on 10/20/2012
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Author Diane Mae Robinson lives in a small hilltop castle nestled amongst a magical forest near St. Paul, Alberta, Canada.

Diane has three dogs and three horses, along with a forest inhabited by gnomes, fairies, a puny prince, a bog witch, a charismatic princess, and a somewhat unruly dragon.

The author is also an art teacher, editor, and writing instructor.

The Pen Pieyu Adventures currently has 3 multi-award-winning books in the series. Visit the author's website: www.dragonsbook.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Stephanie Dagg for Readers' Favorite

"Sir Princess Petra" by Diane Mae Robinson is a fun fairy tale for K-3rd graders and I am sure they will love it. The heroine, Petra, is a feisty young lady who is constantly driving her poor father to check the official royal rulebook since she pushes things to the limits. She surprises everyone by qualifying to become a Knight and in the process making friends with the frightening dragon Snarl. She also bests the pizza-faced witch and Nastybun and his puny knights and stops the howling dragon from howling without resorting to her sword. Onions and saucepans and other unusual implements play a key role in her victories, just one of the many humorous touches in this extremely likeable book. Another sweet part is where the witch has forgotten how to say the word 'please'.

Although it is a fairy tale, there is substance to the story. At its heart is an unconventional heroine who constantly has to face up to the rules that everyone else accepts blindly. Petra does things her way and with panache. But she is scared at times and this is well-portrayed. Petra accepts her limitations, like the rules, but works either within or around them. There is a strong sense of right and wrong and fairness in the book, which is quite a pleasant change. Too often parents are unreasonable and stupid in children's books, but here the king and queen allow their daughter the freedom to go and try and fight a dragon, and, since the rules permit it, eventually allow her to have Snarl as her royal steed. Pen Pieyu isn't a bad place to live at all! This is a bright and breezy book, buoyed up by its humor and general pleasantness. Lovely illustrations too.

Anastacia Hawkins

According to royal custom, on Princess Petra’s royal birthday, she may have anything her heart desires, and the thing Princess Petra wants most is to be a royal knight. Her father tells her that in order to be a royal knight one must be big and brave and mean and nasty. But since these qualities are not mentioned in the royal rulebook, the king grants the birthday girl a chance to become a knight by choosing an act of bravery from the royal list of deeds. Princess Petra chooses to hush the howling, nasty dragon in the Forest of Doom. And so, Princess Petra’s quest begins. Along the way, this feisty, friendly princess finds a few new friends and many uses for onions. Yes, onions.

"Sir Princess Petra" is a delightful story for children aged 4-8. Ms. Robinson has created a fun and entertaining story that also teaches children the importance of kindness, courage, remaining true to yourself, and following your dreams no matter the obstacles that get in your way. Her characters are lovable, even those whom we first believe to be mean and nasty, for Ms. Robinson helps us to understand the source of their crankiness. The story’s pencil sketches are adorable and take young readers right into Princess Petra’s world. I have heard that "Sir Princess Petra" is book one in a series; I believe Ms. Robinson’s readers will be thrilled to join Princess Petra on her quest to become a royal knight, and in all her future adventures!

Alice DiNizo

Princess Petra has her ninth birthday on the ninth day of the ninth month and asks her father, the King, for her birthday present. Petra's birthday wish is to be made a royal knight on her birthday. Her father says that she must choose an act of bravery from the royal list of deeds. He offers her a choice of three deeds: capture a crocodile and turn his skin into a royal chair; hush the howling dragon, Snarls; or eat a roomful of raw onions. Princess Petra has seen the palace soldiers eating onions and crying as they do so, and the crocodile is her friend, so it appears to Petra that she must choose to silence the howling dragon, Snarls. With a suit of armor made up of the royal chef's best pots and pans and a sword that looks like one of the royal cake knives, Princess Petra goes on her quest. Petra encounters a hawk that makes off with her helmet and a wild boar that gallops off with her sword, but she finally reaches Snarls who is howling. His tail is pinned beneath a pile of rocks, but can Petra set him free?

"Princess Petra" is a delightful and well-written children’s story of a Princess who goes off on a quest and encounters and overcomes obstacles on her way to knighthood. Pen and ink illustrations help tell Princess Petra's tale. Petra, Snarls, Bograt the Bog Witch, and all this story's characters really help convey the story's message of bravery and cleverness. Upper elementary school-age readers will recall Cornelia Funke's tale, “Princess Knight", as they read this story of a young royal princess who wants to be a knight and doesn't give up no matter what.

Anna del C. Dye

"Sir Princess Petra" is a cute story for elementary school girls that will entertain them to no end. It is a well-presented and written book that will delight kids and their parents. "Sir Princess Petra" has nice drawings that will help your brain enjoy the tale more fully. I enjoyed the story and the fine work done by the author. This book is part of a new well-crafted series to collect and read with your children. Petra is a princess and her father is going to grant her a wish. She thinks and thinks until she finds her perfect desire. Petra would like to become a trusted and brave knight. Her parents try to persuade her to change her mind, but she does not. Even the book of rules can’t stop her from becoming the first princess knight in their kingdom. So, she goes on her quest alone, armed with a knife and a sack of onions. Her armor is made of pots and pans, because nothing in the royal armory fits her. Yet, she is brave and bold even after the hawks, bees, and dragons try to chase her back home. No, not even the crocodile can divert her from her path to knighthood.

The 'Pen Pieyu Adventures', of which "Sir Princess Petra" is one of the books, will provide hours of good, clean reading for your elementary school children. It is well-conceived and nicely written for their age level. I would recommend it for elementary school children, their teachers and parents alike. Well done.

Brenda Ballard

Princess Petra will have her royal birthday the ninth day of the ninth month of the ninth year. It is the royal custom that Petra will get whatever her heart desires. Imagine the King and Queen's surprise when she announces that she shall be a knight! There are only three ways a subject can become a knight...catch an alligator and make it into a chair, eat a roomful of onions or quiet the dragon in the forest whose wailing keeps the royals awake at night. Princess Petra convinces them all that she has what it takes, proudly displaying her armor and pink plumed helmet as she goes about her quests. Sir Princess Petra is one headstrong girl. The King and Queen have their hands full!

I knew this was going to be a fun little book when I saw the map. It made me smile, giggle and study the land so that I would understand the adventure. Each of the chapters has fun story lines and flows smoothly. The illustrations are fantastic, true to the story and drawing the imagination towards the words on the page. I feel as if I knew this little girl had the capability and the will to reach her goal. This is a great book for elementary schools and public libraries. I would highly recommend this for gifts, regardless of the time of year. I am glad that I have read the story and become acquainted with the character Sir Princess Petra!

Darin Godby

Diane Mae Robinson delivers a very interesting and spell-binding book in "Sir Princess Petra." This story is about a young princess named Petra and her desires within the kingdom. She goes before the king and queen, who happen to be her parents, and puts a very strange request for her birthday. She asks to become a royal knight as this has been the desire of her heart and according to the decree, she could have whatever she wished for on her birthday.

Her father and mother are shaken at the request but upon asking the councilman about what was stated in the rule book, they find that indeed a girl can become a knight as there isn't any rule against it. However, the sly king decides that in order to become a knight within his kingdom Petra must perform one of three acts of bravery from his royal list. These include: "To capture a crocodile and make his skin into a royal leather chair; to hush that howling, nasty dragon, Snarls, in the Forest of Doom; or to eat a roomful of raw onions.” When given these three choices she quickly eliminates two of them. The first one she cannot do as the crocodile is her friend and she can't do the third one as she cannot stand the thought of eating all of those onions, so she chose the second option. Soon Petra visits the howling dragon and finds that he is caught in a landslide of rock. She helps to remove his tail from this awful weight and now he is set free. She soon invites him to her birthday party besides making him one of her great friends.

I enjoyed the story and artwork within this book and look forward to more books by Diane Mae Robinson.I enjoyed the positive upbeat attitude of Petra and how she sought after her heart's desire. This is a book of courage for every young boy or girl to not give up on their dreams and press on unhindered.

Kid Lit Reviews

Sue Morris, Kid Lit Reviews

...Sir Princess Petra is one of those stories that will appeal to most everyone. It is charmingly funny." - See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

Mother Daughter Book Revi

Mother Daughter Book Reviews - Reviewer: Renee Cormier

Sir Princess Petra is a wonderful read-aloud book with a diverse range of characters and a quirky writing style that kept the children completely engaged from the first page to the last. Diane Mae Robinson has created a charming main character in Petra who rejects the stereotype of what a princess should be in favor of serving her kingdom as a royal knight. Petra is precisely the type of role model I love for girls: she’s spunky, she’s brave, she’s kind, and she’s a problem-solver. ‘Nuff said – SHE ROCKS!

The supporting cast of characters are also distinctly quirky and uniquely interesting . . . In short, this book had us laughing out loud as we were reading it.

My bottom line: I really feel that this little book is a gem.
- See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

This Kid Reviews Books

Erik, This Kid Reviews Books

"I like this book because it has a great story line and a great message about believing in yourself. This book is an awesome beginning chapter book and a great read aloud."

Full review here - See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

Beach Bound Books

Stacey Theis, Interviewer/Book Reviewer at Beachboundbooks

Sir Princess Petra by Diane Mae Robinson is a charming story that teaches children that friendship and acceptance are often times your best weapon. . .

This is a tale full of adventure and humor witha charismatic main character who has a lot of heart.

Full review here

- See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

The Manitoba Library Asso

Natalie Schembri, The University of Manitoba Book Reviews

“I highly recommend Sir Princess Petra for school, public, and personal library collections. Sir Princess Petra is an empowering story, a delightfully imaginative read and re-read, a tale that invites the reader on a fearless journey towards friendship and self-discovery.”

Full review here - See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

Elaine Ouston

Elaine Ouston, Author

Your children will love this book. It is a fun story with a deep message. It is a story of belief in yourself, courage to face adversity to achieve what you want to be, and how kindness and understanding are better than brute force and fighting.

The writing is lively and well executed and the illustrations are skillfully drawn and add to the story’s appeal

- See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

All Books Review

Reviewed by Boyu Huang, Allbooksreview

You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but it doesn’t hurt that Sir Princess Petra has a great one. A delightful story, it chronicles the adventures of a young princess become knight in shining armour. It’s everything you would want in a book: cute, funny, and with great messages. The adorable illustrations will serve as your companions as you eagerly flip the pages. This book is highly recommended by Boyu Huang.

- See more at: http://www.dragonsbook.com/ReviewOne.html#sthash.3L9p7pZ8.dpuf

The Book Corner

Reviewed by Samantha Bates, The Book Corner

This is quite a short story with chapters, and is perfect for young independent readers. This will appeal to a range of children young to older.

This is a story of achievement and belief in yourself. Just because Petra is a girl this does not stop her from doing what is seen as a boy’s job. This is a powerful message to children and encourages them to follow what they believe in.There are many words in the story that stimulate discussion for younger readers, which helps them to develop their vocabulary.

Julie Grasso

Julie Grasso, Author

This was a delightful read, with a wonderfully strong female who isn't afraid to shirk the princess stereotypes to become a knight. She is thoughtful and helpful and always willing to find a better way. I love the innocence of her character and the message she portrays through her actions. The language and reading level are great for a read loud or for children just approaching independent reading of chapter books. The simple pencil illustrations were excellent. They made me fall in love with Petra and her kingdom from the moment I opened the book. I am thoroughly looking forward to the next book.

Dennis Moore

Dennis Moore, Book Reviewer

This warm and enchanting tale of a child’s innocence and determination is worthy of a story to be told by parents and grandparents to their children, and it is a book that I highly recommend. This is a tale spun by Robinson full of quirky characters and surprising plots that will delight both adults and children alike, and keep listeners being told the story in rapt attention.

Maggie Thom

Maggie Thom, Author

I loved this story because the girl was breaking stereotypes, overcoming her fears and not judging a book by it's cover :), in a fun way that kids will get.
Full review here:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13368182-sir-princess-petra#other_reviews

Bamauthor.me

Barbara Ann Majica Bamauthor.me

Petra provides an outstanding role model for young boys and girls for she has many lessons of courage, friendship and character to teach them. She and the other quirky characters in this book possess a delightful sense of humor. Looking forward to reading more of The Pen Pieyu Adventures from this talented new author.
Full review here: http://bamauthor.me/2014/01/05/a-princess-with-pizazz/

Deb Julienne

Deb Julienne, Amazon Customer

Petra What a delightful book . . . The whimsy of the story, the can do attitude of Princess Petra, regardless of the challenge . . .What a great read for a child. Full review here:
http://www.amazon.com/Sir-Princess-Petra-Diane-Robinson/dp/1613462646/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346597126&sr=8-1

Ian S. Rutter

Ian S. Rutter, Author, Faeries of Birchover Wood

What a wonderful story. You don't get many books that can teach qualities such as respect, friendship and trust. This book does that simply by showing through a lovely story.

The author has a great gift at story telling, without telling you how or what you should do to learn the skills that the story teaches. The main character of the book, Petra, shows you what to do when she is placed in certain situations which require her to use her head and not her makeshift sword.

We can all learn something from this story. If you have children, I encourage you to get a copy of this book and read it to them.

I hope there are many more Petra adventures in the future.

This book is next to my copy of Aesop's Fables.

Matthew Lorentzen

How I do love fantasy. And children's books. Fortunately for me, this Edmonton, Alberta writer cooks up both here. The recipe for her book not only includes those two favored genres, but also lots of onions, some mushrooms, and a good dose of humor that makes this an even more appealing story that it already is. . . She is like a comical Joan of Arc of the young reader's world. http://www.rrhowroar.blogspot.ca/2015/02/sir-princess-petra-pen-pieyu-adventures.html?m=1
Matthew Lorentzen, The Writings, Verse, and Reviews of R. R. Howroar.

Book Awards

2012 Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award (literary arts)
2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Award
2013 Readers' Favorite International Book Award
2014 Sharp Writ Book Award