the princess and the pony + cozy sweaters

The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton (2015).

A princess who wants to be a warrior but who usually gets cozy sweaters for her birthday. A princess who wishes for a warrior’s horse this time but gets a little, round pony who farts instead. These are what Kate Beaton’s hilarious picture book is made of.

That’s Princess Pinecone over on the right in the warrior line up, wearing one of those cozy sweaters.

There’s her birthday gift, a farting pony. While her parents got the present totally wrong, their hearts are in the right places. Throughout the book, they’re Princess Pinecone’s biggest fans and yet don’t know what to do with her.

One of the wonderful things about Princess Pinecone is that she doesn’t’ take out the pony’s wrongness on the pony. She just tries her best and prepares for an upcoming warrior battle with him.

During the battle, there’s a huge revelation. It turns out, even (real) warriors have a cuddly sweater kind of side.

Be sure and look out for fantastic details in the illustrations, from hot dogs and snorkelers in the battle scene to the band posters on Pinecone’s bedroom wall. I also love the mix of Viking-esque elements with modern day ones.

Pinecone is a champion in the end, not because she’s the meanest, awfulest warrior with the most fierce horse. She’s a champion because she’s not those things. And because she accepts Pinecone for who he is. (Farts notwithstanding.)