I received products in exchange for sharing this information and my honest opinion.
Back when I was younger, I remember going from picture books to non-picture books basically. There was no in-between really. Sure there were comic books but I always preferred actually chapter-type books. Now though there are so many great books out there, many in a series that keep kids wanting to continue reading them.
Ursula Vernon is an author who has created the award-winning series Dragonbreath and now continues with her awesome style of writing in the Hamster Princess series. What makes these books series so awesome is they feature a unique graphic novel / chapter book hybrid format.
Basically the books are the next step chapter books (for ages around 8-12 years old) and they feature pictures throughout the text of the book. Most pages actually feature a picture of something for the story which not only breaks up the text but gives the illustration for those that like (need) pictures.
As a mom of two reluctant readers (ages 8 and 9 years old) I am always looking for books to appeal to them and this style from Ursula Vernon has been perfect for them. Both of my boys have read some of the Dragonbreath books so far and I know it is only a matter of time before my daughter wants to read her Hamster Princess books. I was actually thinking I could start reading it with her now and just read a chapter every night. I am crossing my fingers that she becomes an avid reader like me, and I might dream a little that one day we can share books.
So anyways back to Urusla Vernon, her newest book Ratpunzel is coming out in October and it is the third book in the Hamster Princess series. I admit I checked out the first two Hamster Princess books and they are pretty awesome. Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is a girl (hamster) who is not an average princess, she craves adventure and she is very independent. The story of Harriet Hamsterbone is a spin on the Sleeping Beauty story. Harriet finds out that she was cursed at birth to fall into a deep sleep at the age of 12. Rather than become sad about her future, she decides to take action on getting the curse reversed – hence the book series. Will Harriet reverse the curse? Readers have to live the epic adventure of the Hamster Princess.
Hamster Princess: Harriet the Invincible
Sleeping Beauty gets a feisty, furry twist in this hilarious new comic series from the creator of Dragonbreath
Harriet Hamsterbone is not your typical princess. She may be quite stunning in the rodent realm (you’ll have to trust her on this one), but she is not so great at trailing around the palace looking ethereal or sighing a lot. She finds the royal life rather . . . dull. One day, though, Harriet’s parents tell her of the curse that a rat placed on her at birth, dooming her to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she’s twelve and fall into a deep sleep. For Harriet, this is most wonderful news: It means she’s invincible until she’s twelve! After all, no good curse goes to waste. And so begins a grand life of adventure with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey…until her twelfth birthday arrives and the curse manifests in a most unexpected way.
Perfect for fans of Babymouse and Chris Colfer’s Land of Stories, this laugh-out-loud new comic hybrid series will turn everything you thought you knew about princesses on its head.
Hamster Princess: Of Mice and Magic
Princess Harriet is nobody’s hamster damsel in distress! Book two of this series for Babymouse and Princess in Black fans is filled with even more action and twisted fairy tale fun
Princess Harriet has absolutely no interest in brushing her hair, singing duets with woodland animals, or any other typical princess activities. So when a fairy tells a very bored Harriet about twelve mice princesses who are cursed to dance all night long, she happily accepts the quest and sets off with a poncho of invisibility and her trusty battle quail. But when she arrives at the Mouse Kingdom, she discovers there’s more to the curse than meets the eye, and trying to help is dangerous business . . . even for a tough princess like Harriet.Hamster Princess: Ratpunzel – Coming Out October 2016
Princess Harriet Hamsterbone does not like sitting around at home. How’s a princess supposed to have any fun when her parents are constantly reminding her to be careful and act princessly? So when her pal Prince Wilbur needs help finding a stolen hydra egg, Harriet happily takes up the quest. The thief’s trail leads them to a wicked witch and a tall tower, occupied by a rat whose tail has more to it than meets the eye!
The third book in the award-winning comic hybrid Hamster Princess series will make you look at rodents, royalty, and fairy tales in a whole new light.
Ursula Vernon is also the author of a book entitled Castle Hangnail, which is not a series book but rather a tale of witches, minions, and one fantastic castle, just right for fans of Roald Dahl and Tom Angleberger.
BUY IT: Check out Ursula Vernon books on Amazon or wherever books are sold.
WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive an Ursula Vernon prize pack, including the first two Hamster Princess books, and advance copy of Ratpunzel, a copy of Castle Hangnail, and the first five books in the Danny Dragonbreath series. The retail value is about $75.
Need help entering a giveaway? Check out my blog post for some help!
GIVEAWAY ENTRY:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Giveaway Ends July 22, 2016.
Lily Kwan says
Ratpunzel looks very interesting!
Lisa L says
My kids would enjoy Castle Hangnail
Pam Flynn says
Hamster Princess Harriet the Invincible would be the first reach out and read book my granddaughter would grab as soon as she came to grandma’s.
Julie Lundstrom says
These books would be good for my niece & nephew. My niece would like the Princess Hamster and my nephew would like the Dragon Breath ones.
Leah Shumack says
My daughter would definitely pick one the Hamster Princess books first and most likely of Mice and Magic!
Patricia Stapleton Murray says
My granddaughter would love these:)
LaTanya says
castle hangnail
Dan Denman says
I think Castle Hangnail would come first and then the Hamster Princess books. I have heard many good things about these books!
rosemary says
wow
Yvonne Cutler says
I think me kids will like castle hangnail
Audra O'Hara says
I can see my daughter reading Dragonbreath Attack of Ninja Frogs first. She’s quiet a tomboy and likes anything ninja.
Daniel M says
probably castle hangnail
Lana simanovicki says
I think ninja frogs-
Pam Flynn says
Oh my…my granddaughter who will be in 1st grade this Fall would for sure read Hamster Princess Harriet the Invincible First. The reason I know is I am babysitting her right now & when I asked her she looked at all of them, Jumped up & did a cheerleading yell!
Mia says
I think my granddaughter would read Castle Hangnail first.
Michelle C says
I’m sure my daughter would dive right into the first Hamster Princess book!
Michelle S says
I think my daughter would read Castle Hangnail first.
Lisa Hardy says
Love the Harriet, Hamster Princess books! I’m looking forward to introducing my daughter to Castle Hangnail as well. She loved Harriet so much she took the book to school for reading time after we finished it (bedtime reading). We recently started Danny’s series too, although my girl definitely wants to be Harriet.
Thank you for writing about Ms Vernon!
Patricia Saiki says
Love this author and her various series. Would be awesome to win this set for my child.
Heather Poindexter says
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/41376890305366153/
sharon c says
Of Mice and Magic is the book most appealing to me because the traits of the subject remind me of my granddaughter. After I tell her that, I assume she will read this one first.
Shelley P says
My kids would probably read Harriet the Invincible first. My little girl has a pet hamster which she adores so I think she would really love this series 🙂
GENA VIGGIANI says
HAMPSTER PRINCESS, HARRIET THE INVINCIBLE
Patty wright says
I would give the books to my grandaughter for her dad to read to her.
Jenny Q. says
My son would probably read Dragonbreath No such Thing as Ghosts first.
Cynthia Mercado says
He would read Dragonbreath the first one in the series.
Linda G. says
I’m sure she would read the Hamster Princess book first!
D. says
Comment 😛
Jennifer says
Love Ursula Vernon, I follow her personal Blog and Twitter.
jjmcgaffey says
I don’t have kids, but I quite enjoyed Castle Hangnail (which I now own) and plan to look for the rest. I’d read the Hamster Princess books, in order.
Emily says
…do I have to have kids to enter this giveaway? Because I’m 24 and unlikely to have kids any time soon, but I’ve read and enjoyed all of these books besides Ratpunzel (since it’s not out yet), so that’s the book I’d read first. They’ve got broad age range appeal! I guess I could wait until my friends’ kids get a little older and then I’d start them with Harriet the Invincible.
Steph says
I think the first one they would read would be Danny Dragonbreath: No Such Thing as Ghosts.
tiffany dayton says
T like these books. They would be perfect for my nieces.
tiffany dayton says
Castle Hangnail I think.
Wehaf says
My niece would start with Castle Hangnail.
Justin Sparks says
I would say of mice and magic since my youngest has been trying to show us magic tricks lately
Rania says
I would say the Dragon Breath books.
Nancy says
First I think we would read Harriet the Invincible.
Kimberly Zborek says
Love the whole series for my niece and nephew 5 stars
Andrea v says
Hamster princess rapunzel
vickie couturier says
Castle Hangnail
Janet Woodling says
Ratpunzel would be the first choice.
Lauren says
My son would read the Dragon Breath books first.
Jeanna says
My daughter would era the Hamster Princess books first!
Kristen says
She’d read Ratpunzel.