Prince Not-So Charming 1 – Once Upon a Prank

Roy L. Hinuss's Once Upon a Prank is a very silly fairy-tale story for 6 year olds about a prince who would much rather be a jester.

What happens

Carlos Charles Charming comes from two thousand years of Prince Charmings. Every one of them in the family portraits looks brave and serious, and most of them are busy stabbing something.

Carlos just wants to make his dad laugh. He's rehearsed a whole routine in his bedroom (tumble, juggle, dance a jig, booger gag, flip your wig). In the enormous throne room it goes wrong in every way it possibly can, eggs and all.

His very tired, very frowny dad has a different plan. A suit of armour. Lessons with Gilbert the Gallant, voted Princeliest Prince Alive. And a dragon to slay in the Somewhat-Enchanted Forest. Today.

So off goes Carlos with a wheelbarrow full of weapons he can barely lift, into a wood that's full of quicksand. What could possibly go wrong?

The jokes are pitched perfectly for this age. Fart jokes, booger jokes and a king who "whisper-sighs". His mum, Queen Cora, hugs so hard he can't breathe and hears nothing anyone says when she's excited (which is often). The narrator keeps tossing in little asides too, so it's lovely to read aloud.

Under all the silliness there's a boy who wants his dad to see who he really is. King Carmine is kind and patient, just very, very busy. You'll probably spot a bit of yourself in him.

There's nothing very scary here beyond a roar in the woods. I won't say what happens when Carlos finally meets the dragon, but it's the best part.

If you've got a reader who loves a joke more than a sword fight, this is perfect.

What to read next

And if this one goes down well, Her Royal Slyness is the next Prince Not-So Charming book. Carlos is back with Jack the Jester, wobbling about on stilts and sneaking out to perform at a party in the village.