The Prince of the Dolomites

Thursday, April 7, 2011

The Prince of the Dolomites

Written by: Tomie De Paola

First line: “He’s coming, he’s coming,” the boy shouted as he ran through the streets of the little Italian village.

Why you should read this book: Complete with all the warmth of De Paola’s familiar illustrations, this story tells of the Prince of the Dolomites, who has the misfortune of falling in love with the Moon King’s youngest daughter. He pines for his unattainable princess so long that his people begin to fear him, until an act of kindness to a band of wandering, nature-loving dwarves—Salvani—actually gets him in with his beloved, who he is able to bring back to earth as his wife, but the princess missing the blazing whiteness of her home, and becomes sick with longing, until the Salvani find the solution. This lovely folktale explains the origins of the unusual color of Italy’s Dolomite Mountains along with the lovely, white edelweiss flower.

Why you shouldn’t read this book: Don't believe in love. Or anything, really.

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Thursday, April 7, 2011