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Patchwork Prince

Baptiste Paul author Kitt Thomas illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc

Published:17th Oct '23

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Patchwork Prince cover

What makes a patchwork prince? A prince must be ready for adventure - ready for the night, ready to pluck the brightest, most beautiful fabrics from the scrap heap, ready to run when danger comes. With the treasures he and his mother collect, she will make him clothes fit for royalty: No flashy jewels, no crown, but a cut and drape that hug his Black shoulders just right. And in his new clothes, with chin held high, he will know he is a prince. Together with Kitt Thomas’s beautiful, exuberant artwork, acclaimed author Baptiste Paul brings readers a celebratory story about confidence and self-worth, and the enduring love between a mother and son.

“The illustrations convey every joyful moment, [and] the story has a powerful message of pride, even in things that others might not consider beautiful . . . The book offers several jumping-off points for shared discussions: recycling, waste, repurposing, imagination, kindness, and, of course, economic inequity, [plus] Paul’s glorious author’s note . . . So much beauty in very few pages.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

"Thomas’ vibrant illustrations are filled with energy and movement, with swirls of color and yellow stars dancing across the spreads. Paul’s text makes wonderful use of specific details; together text and images speak to the resilience of the human spirit . . . A tender reminder that treasure can come from anywhere." —Kirkus Reviews

"Using phrases that outline principles of princehood, Paul marries whimsical imaginings with a portrait of bounty created amid adversity. Thomas brings a reverence for color, imbuing [the pages] with jewel tones reflected in artfully rendered characters and garb. It’s a loving portrait of a child embracing their innate value, taught by the queen [their mother] who loves them best." —Publishers Weekly

ISBN: 9780593463444

Dimensions: 262mm x 265mm x 8mm

Weight: 437g

32 pages