
A parent might reach for this book when their child is questioning traditional fairy tales or showing an interest in stories that defy gender stereotypes. Princess Camembert is supposed to marry a prince, but she's much more interested in perfecting her grilled cheese sandwiches. To escape the pressure, she disguises herself and meets the charming Countess Brie, leading to a sweet romance. This graphic novel gently explores themes of self-discovery, being true to yourself, and finding love in unexpected places. It's a wonderful, funny, and age-appropriate introduction to LGBTQ+ romance, wrapped in a cozy and familiar fairy tale package.
The core topic is LGBTQ+ identity, specifically a same-sex romance between two young women. The approach is direct, gentle, and entirely positive. The romance is presented as a natural, joyful part of the characters' self-discovery, free from external prejudice or angst. The resolution is unequivocally hopeful and affirming. The context is a secular fantasy world.
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Sign in to write a reviewThis is perfect for an 8 to 12-year-old who loves the aesthetic of princess stories but is ready for a modern twist. It's an excellent choice for a child who is questioning gender roles or for whom a parent is seeking a positive, gentle, and age-appropriate introduction to queer romance. It's a wonderful "first crush" story that happens to be between two girls.
No preparation is necessary. The book can be read cold. The content is very tame and the romance is chaste (a single sweet kiss). The story handles its themes so naturally that it may not even prompt major questions, but parents can be ready to have a simple, affirming conversation about how love can be between any two people. A parent hears their child ask, "Why does the princess always have to marry a boy?" or express frustration with prescribed gender roles in stories. A parent might also be actively seeking positive, normalizing LGBTQ+ representation for their middle-grade reader.
A younger reader (8-10) will likely focus on the humor, the cartoonish art, the fun of the disguises, and the appeal of the food. An older reader (11-13) will more deeply appreciate the romantic development, the subversion of fairy tale tropes, and the themes of authenticity and defying expectations.
Among LGBTQ+ middle-grade books, its primary differentiator is its complete lack of angst. Many stories in this space involve coming-out struggles or dealing with bigotry. This book normalizes a sapphic romance by placing it in a fairy tale setting where it's accepted without question. The graphic novel format and central focus on food make it uniquely accessible, funny, and comforting.
Princess Camembert of the Tilsit Kingdom is under pressure from her father to find a suitor, but she has no interest in any of the princes. Her true passion is inventing and perfecting the grilled cheese sandwich. To escape a royal ball, she dons a disguise as "Countess Cam" and runs into the beautiful and confident Countess Brie. A sweet, funny romance blossoms between the two as they bond over their passions: Cam's for cooking and Brie's for fashion. The story follows their budding relationship and Cam's journey to embrace her true self, culminating in a happy ending that subverts classic fairy tale expectations.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.