Princess April Morning-Glory by: Letitia Fairbanks

Title: Princess April Morning-Glory
Author: Letitia Fairbanks
Publisher: Sandramantos Publishing
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Description:

At long last, Princess April Morning-Glory emerges as a lost treasure from the golden age of Hollywood.

Written and illustrated in 1941 by Letitia Fairbanks, the niece of silent film stars Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Mary Pickford, the seemingly traditional children’s book is transformed into a modern-day fairy tale that will captivate child and adult readers alike.

Letitia Fairbanks

Letitia was inspired to create portraiture for the characters of Princess April Morning-Glory from film stars of the day. John Barrymore, and Letitia's cousin Douglas Fairbanks Jr., provided glamorous inspiration through their then-current films. The Wicked King's (Barrymore) costume was sparked by his role as Louis XV in Irving Thalberg's 1938 Marie Antoinette, while the hairstyle resembles his eponymous role in Archie Mayo's 1931 Svengali. Prince Chivalry was inspired by her cousin's (Fairbanks) sword-fighting role in David O. Selznick's 1937 The Prisoner of Zenda.

Viewed as unconventional when it first debuted – up until then, no one had thought to meld a Disney-like moral tale with a swashbuckling adventure – the story centers on the prescient acknowledgment that we create our destinies by the choices that we make.

The main narrative is focused around the brave and courageous Princess April who must first transcend darkness and evil before she can realize her true potential. Intrigued by the Great World and its sense of adventure, a young Princess April decides to abandon the familiarity of her home in Fairyland and undertake a voyage into the unknown. Once outside the Enchanted Forest, she finds comfort and friendship in the company of various creatures who ensure her safe passage.

But returning home proves more difficult than at first she realized. In order to go back to Fairyland, a friendly wizard informs Princess April that she must first accomplish three good deeds. Can Princess April resist the temptation of darker forces and summon enough courage to continue doing good deeds? And if she dares to hold true to herself, will it someday lead her back home again? 

Kellie Smoot Garrett

My Thoughts: 

Letitia Fairbanks has such a way with a beautiful story about Princess April and what her life was like along with her journey in the world to find things to do to help others without being subjected to evil that lurks everywhere.  I loved the illustrations and the nicely done text with the story it was amazing.  Anyone who reads about Princess April could find a few things in it to teach young ones and old ones.

One could take away that there is always a choice with everything you do.  Good and Bad, right and wrong and good and evil.  Sometimes to grow up we have to leave home, but one can usually go home again.  And the big one I think is to not grow up too fast.  

I am so impressed that Ms. Fairbanks step-daughter, Kellie Smoot Garrett was able to share the story of Princess April with everyone!  We all have a treasure with this book!