Status
Checked out
Due 8/6/2022
Call number
Collection
Publication
First Second (2018), 288 pages
Description
Comic and Graphic Books. Romance. Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. HTML: A fairy tale for any age, Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart. Paris, at the dawn of the modern age: 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! Sebastian's secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances�??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 a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. This title has Common Core connecti… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Frances dreams of making fabulous creations, rather than the ordinary dresses sewn in the shop where she works. When she creates a shocking masterpiece for a customer, she almost loses her job, but an intriguing (and lucrative) offer from a stranger takes her to the palace itself. She will be
I’d been hearing good things about this graphic novel, and it was indeed just as charming as I had heard. The artwork is lovely (plenty of gorgeous swirling fabrics, for one thing) and the story is sweet. If you enjoy graphic novels with a romantic plot line, I definitely recommend this one.
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Prince Sebastian’s seamstress. The Prince has a secret known only to his valet: occasionally, he likes to wear dresses. As Lady Crystallia, he wows society with Frances’s daring creations. But as long as his identity is secret, Frances must remain unknown as well. And if it became known that Prince Sebastian was Lady Crystallia, what would happen?I’d been hearing good things about this graphic novel, and it was indeed just as charming as I had heard. The artwork is lovely (plenty of gorgeous swirling fabrics, for one thing) and the story is sweet. If you enjoy graphic novels with a romantic plot line, I definitely recommend this one.
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LibraryThing member norabelle414
Frances is a lowly Paris seamstress with dreams of grandeur when grandeur falls right in her lap – an offer of employment from a mysterious fancy lady. Turns out her patron is not a lady but the crown Prince of Belgium, who likes to dress in girls’ clothes. Frances keeps Prince Sebastian’s
A very sweet fairy tale of a story, with stunning artwork to go with it. The dresses are gorgeous. Frances and Sebastian have a little bit of a romance, but not so much that it overshadows their friendship or their respective career goals. The story was a little shallow but I enjoyed it anyway. It’s appropriate for kids but, as ever, it is only one perspective on one genderqueer individual and is not necessarily representative of others’ experiences. I greatly enjoyed this graphic novel and look forward to more both written and illustrated by this author.
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(aka “Lady Crystallia”) secret and the two become fast friends. Sebastian promises to help Frances fulfill her dream of her own fashion line, but is that possible without exposing him to the world?A very sweet fairy tale of a story, with stunning artwork to go with it. The dresses are gorgeous. Frances and Sebastian have a little bit of a romance, but not so much that it overshadows their friendship or their respective career goals. The story was a little shallow but I enjoyed it anyway. It’s appropriate for kids but, as ever, it is only one perspective on one genderqueer individual and is not necessarily representative of others’ experiences. I greatly enjoyed this graphic novel and look forward to more both written and illustrated by this author.
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LibraryThing member lispylibrarian
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. It is a beautiful display of acceptance, self-awareness, and a genuine friendship. The prince's parents are trying to find a woman for him to marry, but he is not in a hurry to find anyone. Prince Sebastian has an alter-ego named Lady Crystallia who parades
Somehow, Sebastian's secret must be kept while Frances gets credit for her designs, but how?
This story is easily my new favorite fairy tale that I think anyone will relate to.
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around Paris in beautiful gowns made by his best friend, Frances, who along with his guard are the only two people who know his secret. Frances loves her friend but does not want to remain a secret forever as she wants people to know her designs and wear them. Sebastian knows that what he is doing is not "normal," but he says he cannot help it, he enjoys dressing up and being someone else. Somehow, Sebastian's secret must be kept while Frances gets credit for her designs, but how?
This story is easily my new favorite fairy tale that I think anyone will relate to.
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LibraryThing member tapestry100
When Frances, a seamstress with dreams of taking the fashion world of late 19th century France by storm, is brought to the palace, she has no idea who her new client is. Prince Sebastian, whose parents are trying to find a suitable princess for him to marry, wants nothing more than to take the
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fashion world by storm as well, only as the Lady Crystallia. Together, Sebastian and Frances create fabulous gowns and are the talk of Paris, but when Sebastian’s secret is threatened, will he be able to let Frances strike out on her own? What I appreciated most about this charming story is the way Wang thoughtfully and carefully handles gender fluidity. While Sebastian does face discrimination, it is how the story is resolved that made this jump from a solid 4-star story to a 5-star joy to read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ayanami_Faerudo
It's about discovering and accepting who you really are. It's about finding someone who accepts you for you.
Cute. Love the dresses.
Cute. Love the dresses.
LibraryThing member senbei
Very pretty and cute characters but seriously terrible writing and worthless dialogue. I'm thinking the author focused more heavily on fashion/design in school than creative writing?
One thing i really liked about it: Spa scene. One thing i hated about it: zero research. She didn't even bother to
Thing i disliked the most: "As long as you come out of the closet, everything will turn out fine" theme.
I think if she'd tweaked it just slightly it would have worked really well as one of those graphic novels without any text.
To quote DDR: "I look forward to your next effort!"
One thing i really liked about it: Spa scene. One thing i hated about it: zero research. She didn't even bother to
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come up with a French/Belgium equivalent town to Bath.Thing i disliked the most: "As long as you come out of the closet, everything will turn out fine" theme.
I think if she'd tweaked it just slightly it would have worked really well as one of those graphic novels without any text.
To quote DDR: "I look forward to your next effort!"
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LibraryThing member karenvg3
This one just happened to follow me home last night after I finished processing it into our library 😜. It’s a very cute story of a cross dressing prince and talented dressmaker. Short and sweet. 4🌟
LibraryThing member ablachly
9 year old says: this is the most beautifully awesome book I’ve read in MONTHS.
LibraryThing member thelibraryladies
I first want to extend a special thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book!
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! While the hubby and I are pretty low key when it comes to the holiday, I do enjoy the little bits of romance that I see here and there. Given the holiday, it’s an
Jen Wang has created a very gentle and quiet story about friendship and identity with “The Prince and the Dressmaker”. Within it’s pages we meet Frances, a quiet but ambitious dressmaker, and Sebastian, a Belgian Prince who also likes to dress in womens clothing and become Lady Crystallia. While Sebastian’s gender identity is kept vague, I am going to refer to them with they/them pronouns and as gender non-conforming/non-binary. I liked how Frances and Sebastian both interacted with each other and how they found a mutual understanding and respect within their Prince/Dressmaker relationship. Their friendship is sweet and simple, and I loved how it progressed as the story went on. While it did ultimately end in romance (Spoiler alert I guess?), I think that Wang approached it in a way that didn’t feel schmaltzy or in a way that negated the friendly, non romantic intimacy that had existed between the two of them at the start. I also feel that it’s important to have representation of more non-binary and gender non-conforming characters in stories, especially in positive, non-tragic ways, so Sebastian’s story arc was a story that I was happy to see. I will, however, say that as a cis straight woman the lens through which I approached this book and the story it tells is probably not the same as someone who would identify in other ways, and therefore I’m not sure that I can gauge whether or not it’s a good representation.
Frances’ story arc was the weaker of the two character progressions, but I still found it to be one that was engaging. She wants to become a designer, but as a woman (and a lower class one at that) she has very little agency and control over her life. She sees this arrangement with Sebastian as a way to get her work out there, and then finds herself in a place of power that she cannot speak of, lest it betray Sebastian’s secret. I also enjoyed her quiet but strong willed personality. Her strength may not be loud, but it is there nonetheless, and her moments of triumph were undoubtedly satisfying. And I don’t know why it struck me, but I loved that her hair is purple. Her entire character design just struck me as resonant for some reason. Possibly because I, too, like to wear my hair in a side braid and have thick eyebrows. Her expressions and facial designs really get her emotions across, so even though she was a bit more soft spoken I felt like I always knew what she was feeling.
The art, too, was fabulous. It fit the mood of the story well, simplistic and soft but popping off the page. There seemed to be some influence from manga and anime, but Wang also has made a mark of her own with the design. The imagery also harkens back to the time period of the regency (I think?) era. The fashion styles are absolutely gorgeous and delightful, with lots of colors used for Lady Crystallia’s dresses that just made me smile.
Overall, I found “The Prince and the Dressmaker” to be a calm and charming story with a complex and heartfelt relationship at the heart of it. If you are looking for something to read this Valentine’s Day, seek this one out.
It’s almost Valentine’s Day! While the hubby and I are pretty low key when it comes to the holiday, I do enjoy the little bits of romance that I see here and there. Given the holiday, it’s an
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appropriate time for me to talk about one of the cuter romances that I’ve read as of late! Before I saw it on NetGalley, I hadn’t heard of “The Prince and the Dressmaker”, and I requested it on a whim. I sat down one day thinking I’d at least start it, and then ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting.Jen Wang has created a very gentle and quiet story about friendship and identity with “The Prince and the Dressmaker”. Within it’s pages we meet Frances, a quiet but ambitious dressmaker, and Sebastian, a Belgian Prince who also likes to dress in womens clothing and become Lady Crystallia. While Sebastian’s gender identity is kept vague, I am going to refer to them with they/them pronouns and as gender non-conforming/non-binary. I liked how Frances and Sebastian both interacted with each other and how they found a mutual understanding and respect within their Prince/Dressmaker relationship. Their friendship is sweet and simple, and I loved how it progressed as the story went on. While it did ultimately end in romance (Spoiler alert I guess?), I think that Wang approached it in a way that didn’t feel schmaltzy or in a way that negated the friendly, non romantic intimacy that had existed between the two of them at the start. I also feel that it’s important to have representation of more non-binary and gender non-conforming characters in stories, especially in positive, non-tragic ways, so Sebastian’s story arc was a story that I was happy to see. I will, however, say that as a cis straight woman the lens through which I approached this book and the story it tells is probably not the same as someone who would identify in other ways, and therefore I’m not sure that I can gauge whether or not it’s a good representation.
Frances’ story arc was the weaker of the two character progressions, but I still found it to be one that was engaging. She wants to become a designer, but as a woman (and a lower class one at that) she has very little agency and control over her life. She sees this arrangement with Sebastian as a way to get her work out there, and then finds herself in a place of power that she cannot speak of, lest it betray Sebastian’s secret. I also enjoyed her quiet but strong willed personality. Her strength may not be loud, but it is there nonetheless, and her moments of triumph were undoubtedly satisfying. And I don’t know why it struck me, but I loved that her hair is purple. Her entire character design just struck me as resonant for some reason. Possibly because I, too, like to wear my hair in a side braid and have thick eyebrows. Her expressions and facial designs really get her emotions across, so even though she was a bit more soft spoken I felt like I always knew what she was feeling.
The art, too, was fabulous. It fit the mood of the story well, simplistic and soft but popping off the page. There seemed to be some influence from manga and anime, but Wang also has made a mark of her own with the design. The imagery also harkens back to the time period of the regency (I think?) era. The fashion styles are absolutely gorgeous and delightful, with lots of colors used for Lady Crystallia’s dresses that just made me smile.
Overall, I found “The Prince and the Dressmaker” to be a calm and charming story with a complex and heartfelt relationship at the heart of it. If you are looking for something to read this Valentine’s Day, seek this one out.
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LibraryThing member villemezbrown
A feel-good yarn about a gender fluid prince and the dressmaker who creates a most fabulous wardrobe to make both their dreams come true. Adorable art and storytelling. It put me in mind of the Kinky Boots Broadway musical.
LibraryThing member krau0098
This book was so much fun to read and just absolutely entertaining. This is a very well done historical graphic novel set in Paris. I loved the illustration, the endearing characters, and the humor in here...the whole thing was incredibly well done.
Frances dreams of being a great seamstress and
This is a beautiful and heartfelt graphic novel that is also a ton of fun. It’s one of those books that will break your heart on one page and then make you laugh out loud on the next. The illustration is fantastic and I loved all the dress designs. It’s easy to follow and fun to read.
My son and husband weren’t interested in this one (it looked too girly), however I think everyone could enjoy this because there’s a lot of humor in here too (not just fashion and dresses).
Overall I loved this book and will be looking for more graphic novels by Wang. This was so much fun to read and so well done; highly recommended.
Frances dreams of being a great seamstress and
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Prince Sebastian dreams of wearing great dresses. It seems like a match made in heaven until Frances realizes that keeping the Prince’s secret is causing her dreams to suffer. However, when they both head their own ways no one wins.This is a beautiful and heartfelt graphic novel that is also a ton of fun. It’s one of those books that will break your heart on one page and then make you laugh out loud on the next. The illustration is fantastic and I loved all the dress designs. It’s easy to follow and fun to read.
My son and husband weren’t interested in this one (it looked too girly), however I think everyone could enjoy this because there’s a lot of humor in here too (not just fashion and dresses).
Overall I loved this book and will be looking for more graphic novels by Wang. This was so much fun to read and so well done; highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member emeraldreverie
I liked this a lot. The climax slightly dampened it for me as someone sensitive to gender issues, but overall this was a lovely story. The art is flowy and expressive, the characters deep and resonant.
LibraryThing member quondame
A sweet romantic tale of the necessity of being who you are in a society that pressures you to be what it thinks it needs.
LibraryThing member livingtech
Read this in two sittings. Tears at the end. Acceptance is powerful and important.
LibraryThing member cavernism
This was so perfect, I can't recommend it enough!
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
This graphic novel was an interesting read. In many ways it is a fairy tale with a rags-to-riches twist. In some ways it is a coming of age story. Teenage Prince Sebastian has a secret he's been keeping: some days he feels like a prince, but sometimes he wants to wear dresses. Frances, a gifted
The problem is that Prince Sebastian, an only child, needs to marry appropriately, according to his parents. But who in the list of acceptable brides-to-be will understand the life that he leads, the person he is?
One of the themes is that keeping a secret hurts not only the secret keeper, but those who are part of that secret. Another is that loving a person means accepting that person for who he is, not who you want him to be or think he should be. The final one is that running away rarely solves anything.
While the storyline is a bit anachronistic as many fairy tales are, the art reflects the time period beautifully. And the messages are well worth heeding.
Strongly recommended for those who like fairy tales or coming-of-age novels. Painful scenes include one of drunkenness and another of the result of secrets being publicly revealed when one is not prepared to do so. The sequence for the latter tore at my heart.
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seamstress with a flair for design, is hired from her place of employment just as she is being fired for making a client the dress of her dreams, even though it is considered by the turn-of-the century (early 1900s) matrons to be less than appropriate. However, when Sebastian saw the dress, he knew that the designer would make perfect dresses to suit. And so fashion-setting Lady Crystallia takes the night scene by storm.The problem is that Prince Sebastian, an only child, needs to marry appropriately, according to his parents. But who in the list of acceptable brides-to-be will understand the life that he leads, the person he is?
One of the themes is that keeping a secret hurts not only the secret keeper, but those who are part of that secret. Another is that loving a person means accepting that person for who he is, not who you want him to be or think he should be. The final one is that running away rarely solves anything.
While the storyline is a bit anachronistic as many fairy tales are, the art reflects the time period beautifully. And the messages are well worth heeding.
Strongly recommended for those who like fairy tales or coming-of-age novels. Painful scenes include one of drunkenness and another of the result of secrets being publicly revealed when one is not prepared to do so. The sequence for the latter tore at my heart.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Sebastian hires Frances, a talented young designer to make him dresses. Hiding his identity from her at first and he has hidden this secret all his life. When she discovers who she is sewing for, she is un-phased. She'll get to further her career and he'll get the clothing he wants to wear. Lady
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Crystallia takes the fashion world by storm. But when Sebastian and Lady Crystallia are revealed to be one and the same, the kingdom and royal community are in an uproar. Show Less
LibraryThing member untitled841
A feel good story about finding friendship and your true self in the unlikeliest of places.
LibraryThing member booklover3258
Once upon a time there was a prince who loved to cross dress and his seamstress who didn't want to hide in the shadows anymore. I absolutely loved loved loved this book! I couldn't stop reading it and finished it in an hour. The artwork is stupendous and all the characters were great. I loved the
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dresses she made, how they were well connected and the ending was hilarious and sweet! Beautiful book. Show Less
LibraryThing member StefanieGeeks
This graphic novel is delightful! Gorgeous illustrations accompany a beautiful tale of friendship and finding true self. I had to hug this book when I finished reading... it's that good.
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
The Prince and the Dressmaker - 5 Still
Second Read and still a 5 star read
#KillYourTBR #nonbinary
Second Read and still a 5 star read
#KillYourTBR #nonbinary
LibraryThing member amandabock
I was worried that the ending would be predictable, and was delighted at the way it unfolded. I wish the blonde princess had been given a better ending; she seemed like she had potential at the beginning.
This is in a lot of YA and teen collections, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be read by
This is in a lot of YA and teen collections, but I see no reason why it shouldn't be read by
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upper elementary school students. Show Less
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
Graphic novel about a prince who likes to wear dresses (and feels he must keep this a secret) and the seamstress he hires to make him dresses that fit his style. Everything about this, from the art to the story to the wonderful, wonderful ending, was an absolute delight. Recommended.
LibraryThing member WeeTurtle
I could go at length about why I appreciate this books, but I'll keep to what I consider the stand out point, mainly, that while Sebastian's cross-dressing and his need to keep it secret is the essential plot, it is taken beyond stereotype or (just) social awareness and presented as the complex
Graphic novels are not really my thing, but I kept going back to this, and I believe that the inclusion of art and illustration enhances the story. I would recommend it for anyone with the slightest inclination to read it.
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factor it really is. We are shown how each character and their relationships are affected by Sebastian's secret and their own desires and perceptions. Nothing is single sided here. Graphic novels are not really my thing, but I kept going back to this, and I believe that the inclusion of art and illustration enhances the story. I would recommend it for anyone with the slightest inclination to read it.
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LibraryThing member readingbeader
A beautifully drawn story of acceptance, and growing into yourself.
Awards
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (Fiction — 2018)
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2021)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Finalist — Young Adult — 2019)
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2020)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2021)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Indies Choice Book Award (Honor Book — Young Adult — 2019)
Thumbs Up! Award (Top Ten — 2019)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Honor — 2020)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2019)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Milwaukee County Teen Book Award (Honor Book — 2019)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2021)
Evergreen Teen Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2021)
Mind the Gap Awards (2019)
Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (Selection — 2019)
Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers (Honor Book — 2020)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Excellence in Graphic Literature Award (Finalist — Young Adult Fiction — 2019)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2020)
ALA Rainbow Book List (Selection — 2019)
NPR: Books We Love (2018)
CCBC Choices (2019)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Top Ten — 2019)
Globe and Mail Top 100 Book (2018)
Notable Children's Book (Older Readers — 2019)
Nerdy Book Award (Graphic Novels — 2018)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2018)
Young Adult Favorites Award (2019)
Idaho Battle of the Books (2019)
Just One More Page Recommendation List (Young Adult — 2019)
Project LIT Book Selection (Young Adult — 2020)
OYAN Graphic Rave (2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018-02-13
Physical description
8.6 inches
ISBN
9781626723634