Prince Not-So Charming 2 – Her Royal Slyness

Roy L Hinuss's Her Royal Slyness is the second Prince Not-So Charming book, a silly fairy-tale adventure for 6 year olds about a prince who'd much rather be a jester.

What happens

Prince Carlos Charles Charming has a secret. He sneaks out to juggle and tell jokes at weddings and birthday parties all over Faraway Kingdom. Absolutely everyone knows, apart from the two people who mustn't find out. His mum and dad, the king and queen.

Right now he's learning to walk on stilts with Jack the Jester, and it's going badly. Being high up makes his legs shake and his head spin.

Then his dad gives him a proper princely job. Princess Pinky has been kidnapped and is stuck at the top of the Tallest Tower, on Witch Island, in the middle of Witch Lake. Can you guess how Carlos feels about tall towers?

Off he goes with Smudge, his dragon best friend. Smudge has eaten so much ice cream that he can't fly anymore, which isn't ideal for a rescue.

This one is all about the jokes. There are knock-knock jokes, silly riddles and at least one poop joke. Smudge steals every scene he's in with his "Oh, hai!" and his plans to make a new bestest friend. The queen hand-feeds him fudgesicles like a baby, and the only witch they meet has given up spells to sell souvenir rocks with googly eyes. (Ten dollars, and worth every penny, apparently.)

Underneath the silliness there's a sweet story about being scared and doing the brave thing anyway. Carlos climbs that tower with his eyes shut. And the princess at the top isn't quite what he expected.

If your reader loves a joke and a bit of cheek, they'll have a great time. A few rude-ish words pop up too, including a "butt", so you'll know if that's one for your house.

What to read next

If this one goes down well, go back to Once Upon a Prank. That's where Carlos first tries out his jester routine on his very serious, very frowny dad.