“This is a very old book that my mom loved growing up. She found it at an antique store and then made me read it, because it was such a favorite of hers growing up.

And I think it’s one of those books that you have to grow up loving. It was very sweet- almost TOO sweet, really. The writer addresses the readers directly (a la Jane Eyre) at several points to ask you how you might have felt if such-and-such had happened to you. The poor little lame prince is locked away in a tower until his godmother comes and gives him a magic cloak that can float him through the window to see the world below. He’s thrilled to death by everything, since it’s all new to him.

It has a nice, predictable ending. But it’s very old fashioned. I don’t think my kids would listen to it now very easily. There’s no mystery, suspense or humor that appeals to our modern sensibilities. I mostly liked it because I could just see my mom as a little girl reading it, loving the gentle little prince and wishing the best for him. ”