The Salt Princess by Anoosha Syed
Series: Everlasting Tales #2
Published by Harper on April 1, 2025
ISBN: 0063324717
Genres: Folklore
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

In this retelling of a Pakistani folktale, a spirited princess teaches her father a lesson about love. Four princesses live with their father in the Kingdom of Zammarud. Amal, the youngest marches to her own drummer, but one day her prank caused the king embarrassment so he banished her from the kingdom. In order to get back into her father’s good graces, she disguises herself and invites him to dinner. She plays another prank in order to prove her love for him. 

This is a true princess tale, making it a bit cringe worthy, but I suppose it is true to the original tale. Fans of Disney princesses will enjoy it. The art work is gorgeous, especially the end pages, and the book interestingly reflects the Pakistani culture.

This is the second book in the Everlasting Tales series, a collection of multicultural fairy tales and folktale honoring the stories passed down through oral tradition by refreshing and preserving them for new generations. Back matter includes an author’s note and a condensed tale in Urdu for bilingual readers. A fun addition to library’s fairytale collections and can be used in a compare-and-contrast with more familiar Euro-centric ones.

Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library