Age Group:
Cross-generational

Genre:
Children’s Literature, Classic, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Social Commentary

Summary:
When the narrator’s plane crashes in a lonely Saraha desert, he finds himself in quite the pickle! But before he knows it, he’s greeted by a quirky little prince, who asks him to draw a sheep. As the narrator and the prince get to know each other, the narrator finds out about the prince’s home on an asteroid and the rose that he loves.

As the novel progresses, the narrator finds himself becoming more and more thirsty. At the same time, his friendship with the prince has grown. Eventually the prince helps him find a well and the two are able to get water. But soon after the prince becomes homesick and decides to leave planet earth to return to his asteroid, leaving the narrator quite heart broken.

My Thoughts:
A decidely quirky novel filled with many important themes of friendship, loyalty, exploration and the dangers of being too serious! First published in 1943 and with 80 million copies sold worldwide, this novel has stood the test of time! The illustrations are particularly charming and match the text well.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I found it entertaining, but also confusing at times. It was hard for me to connect to the story.  It’s the type of book that a child might have difficulty reading at home alone, but would really enjoy in the classroom with some teacher help. The language and themes are a bit advanced.

That being said, The Little Prince is one of those books that has charmed generations of readers. Borrow The Little Prince from your local Vaughan library today!