It was the late 1970s, and Robert Munsch had been telling dragon stories to the kids in the daycare centre where he worked.
At the suggestion of his wife, Ann, he tweaked one story so that it was the princess who saved the prince. 鈥淓very day, I would tell one new and one old (story),鈥 he says, 鈥渁nd 鈥楾he Paper Bag Princess鈥 was one the kids kept asking for.鈥 He told it over and over to keep the children happy before naptime. 鈥淚t also became a big favourite among the mothers,鈥 he adds.
Since being published in 1980, 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 has sold more than seven million copies worldwide and launched Munsch to the top tier of Canadian children鈥檚 authors.
Forty-four years later, the book and its titular heroine, Elizabeth 鈥 who pursues a fire-breathing dragon after it burns down her castle and kidnaps Prince Ronald 鈥 are as popular as ever. For years, 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 has been read in schools as a springboard to discuss bullying, courage, problem-solving and self-esteem, all of which are showcased by Elizabeth as she outwits the dragon and stands up for herself after being mocked by Ronald.
Saturday, March 2, marks publisher Annick Press鈥檚 fifth annual Paper Bag Princess Day, and this year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淪tand Up to Dragons,鈥 is focused on bullying. Since its inception, Paper Bag Princess Day has had thousands of schools, bookstores and libraries 鈥 including some branches of the 海角社区官网Public Library 鈥 spread the book鈥檚 messages of empowerment.
Many Toronto-based anti-bullying groups are working to deliver that same information and cite the book as an inspiration. Jason Colero, the founder of one such organization, Huddle Up聽鈥斅燤aple Leaf Sports & Entertainment鈥檚 bullying prevention program聽鈥斅爏ays the book has remained relevant because 鈥渢here鈥檚 the dragon who is front-and-centre bullying, and the prince, (who is) the hidden bully.鈥
Bullied as a Grade 9 student in the mid-1980s, Colero, along with athletes from the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, the Argonauts and the 海角社区官网Football Club, delivers curriculum developed by experts to bring anti-bullying 鈥 and anti-racism, discrimination, social justice and mental health 鈥 education into elementary and high schools across the GTA. Most recently, they spoke to students at Agnes Macphail Public School in Scarborough.
Jason Colero, in light blue shirt, leads a Huddle Up presentation at Agnes Macphail Public School.
Richard Lautens 海角社区官网StarThe TPL has more than 6,200 copies of Munsch鈥檚 books in its collection systemwide 鈥 second only to James Patterson, says Matt Abbott, manager of its collection development. 鈥淩obert Munsch鈥檚 books have stood the test of time due to their everlasting charm, silliness, playfulness and authenticity, which continue to resonate with children and adults,鈥 he says, adding that the library reorders up to 20 copies of 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 annually due to high use.聽
While writing “The Paper Bag Princess,” Munsch, 78, never imagined it would become a classic. 鈥淚 just thought it was a neat story,鈥 says the Guelph resident and Order of Canada member, whose other books include 鈥淟ove You Forever,鈥 鈥淭homas鈥 Snowsuit,鈥 鈥淒avid鈥檚 Father鈥 and 鈥淢illicent and the Wind.鈥 Bullying, Munsch says, 鈥渨as not something everyone talked about when the book was published.鈥澛
In January 2010, “Paper Bag Princess” author Robert Munsch and his dragon promoted Family Literacy Day at the Dufferin/St. Clair library.聽
Michael Stuparyk 海角社区官网Star File PhotoOne in three students in Canada report being bullied, says Jennifer O鈥橠onnell, executive director of No Time for That Anti-Bullying Society, with even higher rates among marginalized groups.
Munsch鈥檚 book, O鈥橠onnell says, 鈥(reinforces) the idea that resourcefulness and intelligence hold immense power, that character triumphs over appearance, and respect forms the foundation of all relationships. The enduring appeal of 鈥楾he Paper Bag Princess鈥 stems from its ability to address timeless themes that resonate with young readers. Through the main character鈥檚 experiences of feeling different, worrying about others鈥 opinions, and navigating adversity, the story offers a powerful exploration of resilience and self-discovery.鈥
People may not be able to control bullies, 鈥渂ut we can control how we respond,鈥 says Sophia Desiri, a youth facilitator at mental health organization YouthSpeak, who presents on topics including bullying, inclusivity and wellness to students from Grades 2 to 12 across southern Ontario.聽
Desiri says the ending of 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess,鈥 in particular, carries an important message. 鈥淓lizabeth is no longer seeking approval from the prince,鈥澛爏he says. 鈥淪he鈥檚 powerful. Sometimes, letting go of a persona that no longer serves us is when we find ourselves and find out what makes us happy.鈥
鈥淭he book鈥檚 empowering and entertaining appeal go hand in hand,鈥 says Amanda Olson, Annick Press鈥 marketing and sales director. 鈥淭here weren鈥檛 any (other) kids鈥 books with a princess standing up for herself and rescuing the prince in 1980. Surprisingly 鈥 and disappointingly 鈥 there aren鈥檛 many now.鈥
鈥淓lizabeth makes quite a good role model,鈥 says 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 illustrator Michael Martchenko, who considers the feminist protagonist ahead of her time.
鈥淪he鈥檚 high-spirited, confident and determined,” he says. “She loses all of her clothes and everything else, yet still attempts to rescue the prince. She confronts and outsmarts the dragon, and to top it all off, she decides not to marry the prince, who she considers a jerk.鈥
鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 marked the first collaboration between Munsch and Martchenko, a working relationship that continued over the next 40 years. 鈥淲e share the same type of wacky humour,鈥 Martchenko says. 鈥淪ometimes, just for fun, I’ll include something ridiculous 鈥 not offensive 鈥 in the pencil sketches and he鈥檒l say, 鈥楪reat, I love it, let鈥檚 do it!鈥 Then the editor steps in and regains control.鈥
Huddle Up鈥檚 Colero has a copy of 鈥淭he Paper Bag Princess鈥 sitting on his office desk, which never fails to elicit positive responses. 鈥淚t鈥檚 funny how many people said, 鈥業 know that book,鈥欌 he says.
鈥淚 love how the princess says, 鈥業 don鈥檛 need you,鈥欌 he adds. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a great message.鈥
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation