Booktalks Quick and Simple

	Wang, Jen. THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER New York : First Second, 2018 IL 5-8 ISBN: 978-1250159854 (3 booktalks)
Click on the book to read Amazon reviews	Booktalk #1 A graphic novel with a modern, fairy tale vibe. Prince Sebastian has a secret: at night, he dresses up in fantastic ball gowns and enjoys 19th-century Paris nightlife as his alter-ego, the fashionable ‘Lady Crystallia’. Frances is the lowly but brilliant seamstress who becomes his special designer. Sebastian’s parents, the king and queen, have been introducing him to potential brides, but Sebastian is only 16, has his secrets to keep, and anyway, he’s developing feelings for Frances. Charming, romantic, joyful and subversive, this is a story about gender identity, self expression, family pressure, and the joy of truly beautiful clothes. (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award 2019 - 2020) Booktalk #2 Prince Sebastian knows that he has a responsibility to his family and to his kingdom. When he comes of age, his parents start to push him to find a bride - but Sebastian isn’t exactly interested in find a princess to wed. He’s interested in putting on beautiful gowns and transforming himself into Lady Crystallia, the fashion icon who has become all the rage in Paris. A large part of Lady Crystallia’s success? Frances, his seamstress and best friend. But being a seamstress for the prince means that she can never come forward as the dressmaker for the beautiful Lady Crystallia. Frances has always wanted recognition for her work, and begins to find herself resenting her place in the shadows. (Georgia Peach Book Award, 2020) Booktalk #3 Prince Sebastian has a secret he’s keeping from everyone—his true passion is fashion and he loves to wear dresses. While his parents are only concerned with finding him a proper bride, Sebastian longs for the evenings when he can take Paris by storm as his alter ego—fashion icon Lady Crystallia—wearing one of the many bold, glamorous gowns designed by his friend and up and coming dressmaker, Frances. But in order to keep his secret, Frances can’t reveal that she’s the one designing all of these daring new dresses, which means that her dream of becoming a famous designer might never come true. How much of her own happiness will Frances sacrifice to protect her friend? And to keep his truth a secret, how much will Sebastian ask of her? This charming graphic novel set in 19th century Paris will have readers cheering for Sebastian and Frances, as they both struggle to understand themselves and embrace their identities. And with its focus on friendship, acceptance, and being true to yourself, readers will be kept smiling all the way through! (Book Talk by Stacia Bell, Madison Middle School ) (Washington Evergreen Book Award nominee 2021)
	SUBJECTS: Dressmakers -- Comic books, strips, etc. Princes -- Comic books, strips, etc. Dressmaking -- Comic books, strips, etc. Fashion -- Comic books, strips, etc. Cross-dressing -- Comic books, strips, etc. Secrets -- Comic books, strips, etc. Individuality -- Comic books, strips, etc. Friendship -- Comic books, strips, etc. Marriage -- Comic books, strips, etc.

Wang, Jen.
THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER
New York : First Second, 2018
IL 5-8
ISBN: 978-1250159854

(3 booktalks)

Click on the book to read Amazon reviews

Booktalk #1

A graphic novel with a modern, fairy tale vibe. Prince Sebastian has a secret: at night, he dresses up in fantastic ball gowns and enjoys 19th-century Paris nightlife as his alter-ego, the fashionable ‘Lady Crystallia’. Frances is the lowly but brilliant seamstress who becomes his special designer. Sebastian’s parents, the king and queen, have been introducing him to potential brides, but Sebastian is only 16, has his secrets to keep, and anyway, he’s developing feelings for Frances. Charming, romantic, joyful and subversive, this is a story about gender identity, self expression, family pressure, and the joy of truly beautiful clothes. (Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award 2019 - 2020)

Booktalk #2

Prince Sebastian knows that he has a responsibility to his family and to his kingdom. When he comes of age, his parents start to push him to find a bride - but Sebastian isn’t exactly interested in find a princess to wed. He’s interested in putting on beautiful gowns and transforming himself into Lady Crystallia, the fashion icon who has become all the rage in Paris. A large part of Lady Crystallia’s success? Frances, his seamstress and best friend. But being a seamstress for the prince means that she can never come forward as the dressmaker for the beautiful Lady Crystallia. Frances has always wanted recognition for her work, and begins to find herself resenting her place in the shadows. (Georgia Peach Book Award, 2020)

Booktalk #3

Prince Sebastian has a secret he’s keeping from everyone—his true passion is fashion and he loves to wear dresses. While his parents are only concerned with finding him a proper bride, Sebastian longs for the evenings when he can take Paris by storm as his alter ego—fashion icon Lady Crystallia—wearing one of the many bold, glamorous gowns designed by his friend and up and coming dressmaker, Frances. But in order to keep his secret, Frances can’t reveal that she’s the one designing all of these daring new dresses, which means that her dream of becoming a famous designer might never come true. How much of her own happiness will Frances sacrifice to protect her friend? And to keep his truth a secret, how much will Sebastian ask of her? This charming graphic novel set in 19th century Paris will have readers cheering for Sebastian and Frances, as they both struggle to understand themselves and embrace their identities. And with its focus on friendship, acceptance, and being true to yourself, readers will be kept smiling all the way through! (Book Talk by Stacia Bell, Madison Middle School ) (Washington Evergreen Book Award nominee 2021)

SUBJECTS:   Dressmakers -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Princes -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Dressmaking -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Fashion -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Cross-dressing -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Secrets -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Individuality -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Friendship -- Comic books, strips, etc.
                        Marriage -- Comic books, strips, etc.