Wicked Marigold

Caroline Carlson's 'Wicked Marigold' is a delightful chapter book that cleverly subverts traditional princess tropes. It follows Princess Marigold, who, feeling overshadowed by her 'good' older sister, embraces a perceived 'wickedness' and seeks a new identity. Her journey leads her to an evil wizard's fortress and into a magical plot to save the kingdoms, forcing her to redefine what it means to be good. This witty and wise tale explores themes of self-acceptance, sibling comparison, and finding one's unique strengths, all wrapped in a humorous fantasy adventure perfect for readers aged 8-11, and a fun read-aloud for younger children.

"A witty and wise tale of wickedness (with a twist). . . . An accomplished, rib-tickling take on princess stories." --Shelf Awareness (starred review) Princess Marigold--who hadn't yet been born when the remarkable Princess Rosalind was kidnapped--is eleven when something unexpected happens: her older sister escapes her captivity and comes home. Marigold has always known she's not as good, sweet, or kind as the sister everyone adores, but amid the celebration of Rosalind's return, Marigold realizes something new: if Princess Rosalind is good, then Princess Marigold must be wicked. And there's no place for wickedness in the kingdom. When Marigold tries to find a new place for herself in an evil wizard's fortress, though, the results are disastrous. Before she's even learned to cackle or scowl properly, she gets tangled up in a magical plot to ruin all the Cacophonous Kingdoms. Is Marigold too wicked to make things right? Or can she--with the help of a kitchen boy, a well-dressed imp, and a grumpy blob of glop--find her own way to restore peace? This endearing fantasy will have princess and anti-princess fans alike chuckling and cheering.