After a class lesson about honesty, Princess Kim (who had trouble with that topic in Princess K.I.M. and the Lie That Grew) decides to tell the truth about everything. First up: giving up her princess persona ("It was time to pack up the pink"). She also tells her father that his pancakes are "sort of rubbery," Grandma Betty that her necklace looks like "those slimy rocks from the bottom of my fishtank," and a teacher that her baby is ugly. Kim finally learns that "telling the truth doesn't mean you say everything you're thinking," and that pointing out positive attributes is a way to tell the truth without hurting feelings. Cocca-Leffler's soothing color palette and relatable heroine deliver the lesson with good cheer. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

At school Kim learns about the importance of honesty. Determined not to lie, she says what she really thinks about her father's pancakes ("sort of rubbery") and--gasp--her teacher's newborn: "That is the ugliest baby I have ever seen!" Kim then learns about soothing hurt feelings. The story, with its lighthearted illustrations, provides good examples of the if-you-can't-say-something-nice principle. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 1-This story combines the well-worn narrative of truth versus kindness with the current fad for all things princess-related and sparkly. "Princess Kim" learns from her teacher that "sometimes telling the truth is hard, but it's the right thing to do." She immediately begins to apply this lesson to everything she says and does, putting away her princess things because she's not a "real" princess and giving her honest opinion about her dad's pancakes, her friend's new rain boots, and a classmate's artwork. When Kim tells a visiting teacher that she thinks her newborn baby is the ugliest she's ever seen, Kim's teacher finally steps in. "Telling the truth doesn't mean you say everything you're thinking," she clarifies. Kim quickly repairs her damaged relationships by thinking of comments that are both nice and true and decides that she's ready to play at being a princess again. Adults won't find anything new here, but for some youngsters the message will be fresh. Children who love Jane O'Connor's "Fancy Nancy" books (HarperCollins) or Victoria Kann's Pinkalicious (HarperCollins, 2006) will gravitate toward the sparkly cover image of a frizzy-haired redhead tossing her crown into an overflowing box of princess paraphernalia (though the interior illustrations of Kim's self-imposed exile may disappoint these fans of fanciness). The highlights of this package are the charming expressions of the characters and the warmth of Cocca-Leffler's bright, amusing paintings. Purchase where demand for princess stories is high. Otherwise, steer readers to Patricia C. McKissack's The Honest-to-Goodness Truth (S & S, 2000).-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.