Princesses are the daughters of kings and queens, but in fairytales there is a lot more to being a princess than that. Princesses are expected to keep their promises, to be good and kind, honest and honourable. They have to be true to their principles and to the men they love. If they are cruel or selfish, they have to learn the right way to behave through suffering and hardship. Only then are they fit to become queens and rule kingdoms. The Little Book of Princesses is a charming collection of traditional fairytales. In this special collection, the princesses range from the helpless, (who wait in towers to be rescued by passing princes), to the resourceful (who take control of their destinies). These capable girls are prepared to slay snakes, ride the North Wind and even risk execution to save princes from certain death. Among the fairytales included are The Princess and the Pea, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, Donkeyskin, The Frog Prince, The Clever Princess, The Prince and the Three Fates and Melisande.