Petronella

Jay Williams's Petronella, originally published in 1973 in Parents magazine, is a princess tale with a twist. Royal-born Petronella, kind, brave and resourceful, goes in search of her prince and finds an enchanter instead. Shades of Parzival and Baba Yaga lore find their way into the story (e.g., her act of kindness releases an old man from a curse; enchanted everyday objects help her make her getaway). Margaret Organ-Kean's opening portraits of the royal family and the pristine castle in which they live are standouts, but the princess herself and her suitors appear to be rather homely. ( Jan.)