The Prince and the Dressmaker
Book - 2018 | First edition
Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride - or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia - the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! Sebatian's secret weapon is his brilliant dressmaker, Frances - his best friend and one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone's secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect her friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart. -- From back cover.
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From Library Staff
From Library Staff
Prince Sebastian hides from his parents his secret life of dressing up in women's clothes as the hottest fashion icon in Paris, the fabulous Lady Crystallia, while his friend Frances the dressmaker strives to keep her friend's secret. Also available via ebook.
(Gr 6 and up) The King and Queen are trying to marry off 16-year-old Prince Sebastian, but he's more interested in hanging out with Frances, his friend and dressmaker who shares the secret that he is also Lady Crystallia, the fashionista taking Paris by storm!
SchoolCorps
Mar 19, 2013
A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart. Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride - or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as ... Read More »
Prince Sebastian hides from his parents his secret life of dressing up as the hottest fashion icon in Paris, the fabulous Lady Crystallia, while his friend Frances the dressmaker strives to keep her friend's secret.
SchoolCorps1
Aug 10, 2017
Grade 6 and up. While the King and Queen are trying to marry off Prince Sebastian at age 16, he's more interested in hanging out with Frances - his friend and dressmaker, because she shares his secret - that he is also Lady Crystallia, the Belle Epoque fashionista who is taking Paris by storm!
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violet_penguin_924 thinks this title is suitable for 11 years and over
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IndyPL_TammieB
Jan 01, 2021
"When I first learned the truth, I thought Sebastian's life would be ruined. But seeing you, I realized everything would be fine, because someone still loved him.
Some days I look at myself in the mirror and think "That's me, Prince Sebastian! I wear boy clothes and look like my father." Other days it doesn't feel right at all. Those days I feel like I'm actually...a princess.
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IndyPL_TammieB
Jan 01, 2021
Sebastian is a prince, and his parents want him to find his bride. Prince Sebastian is more occupied with his own secret life. Each night Sebastian becomes his alter ego, Lady Castilla. Frances is a dressmaker who dreams of designing the latest fashions. When the two pair up Frances helps Lady Castilla set new trends in fashion and Lady Castilla helps Frances’s designs to be discovered. Will the two be happy living secret lives?
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Add a CommentThis is a beautiful story! A historical romance fairytale with a twist! The art is beautiful as the readers enjoys new dress designs throughout the book. I also loved the dress pattern pages between each chapter. The only thing that I disliked was that Prince Sebastian’s nose was long and pointy and it distracted me (A little silly!) What I loved most was the theme of honoring our own identities. This book challenges gender norms in a new way, separate from sexuality. Prince Sebastian loves to wear beautiful gowns, but that does not have to mean he has to be gay. It is another example of celebrating diversity!
This book is quite the easy read, yet it contains an exciting and sweet story. The illustrations are great, and you will find yourself admiring every one of Lady Crystallia's beautifully illustrated dresses. With a heartwarming surprise twist at the end, this book is chock full of sweet moments. I would definitely recommend!
Sure to bring smiles all around, Jen Wang's self-contained titles follows the title characters on a route to discover themselves and their place in a world that looks like it might not have one for them. Also, they make great friends.
The plot rockets along, a known problem of the format, but the art serves it up perfectly and the arc is so theatrical that it's a perfect fit for the animated musical I hear someone is making out of it. It's a fast and memorable rollercoaster where you leave your disbelief at the door and enjoy the ride meant to make you smile wide.
This was the most adorable graphic novel I’ve ever read. Y’know when they say some stories need to be graphic novels? That the story itself wouldn’t be the same without the interplay between the words and the illustrations? This is 100% one of those cases. The art that Jen Wang has created brings her story to such vivid life that it makes me feel that I personally know Sebastian and Frances. I absolutely loved seeing Frances’ creations come to life; the dresses and style of the art complement each other perfectly and are SO amazing.
The core story here is one of acceptance, of finding yourself and coming to terms with who you are. Lady Crystallia/Sebastian has a storyline that made my eyes prick with tears multiple times, and Frances (my dear sweet little Frances) was so wonderfully coming to terms with valuing herself and her art alongside him. I love that we see this cross-dressing character with parents who *spoiler* ultimately support him. That fashion show at the end was absolutely ICONIC.
I recommend this to anyone. It’s a light, fun read without being so sweet as to make you sick. It feels grounded enough to lessen what could have been too much lightness, and the story moves quickly enough to easily devour in one sitting. I absolutely loved it.
I absolutely loved this story. The cover art caught my eye immediately, so I had to check it out on my Kindle. Sebastian and Frances' characters are likable and relatable, the story is lovely, and the subject matter is relevant and written with respect and care. I think the most wonderful part about this story is that the two characters bring out the best in each other. In the end, we learn that being your true self is all that matters and I love how this is celebrated within the story. Really a great, quick, beautifully illustrated, book.
I liked this story! It was wonderful! 10/10 also, the art was alluring. :)
Just lovely! Wonderful art, great story line. Can't wait to see what the Andersons do to make it into a musical!
This whole book is absolutely adorable. Maybe not realistic for what would have historically happened, but it's hopeful and cute. I loved every moment of it.
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Art: 10/10
I loved this graphic novel, and I zoomed through the whole thing in an hour or two. The characters were adorable, and I loved the twists that came up. It was also visually gorgeous!
My new favourite genre - Graphic Novels! Who says adults can't enjoy a book with pictures. A cute story about two individuals brought together by unusual circumstances and that being yourself if where it is at!