You’d be hard-pressed to find a book lover who doesn’t know about the children’s book, The Paper Bag Princess.
Written by children’s literature legend Robert Munsch and illustrated by Michael Martchenko, the story follows Princess Elizabeth who is set to marry Prince Ronald. But when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald, Elizabeth must do what she can to save her prince. The delightful story proves you can be a princess and a hero — and shows you don’t need a prince either. Cheeky and revered for decades, it’s hard to overstate the book’s cultural impact.
The adaptation was first announced in 2017 and is now official after four years of negotiation. The film will be a live-action movie produced by Elizabeth Banks and Margot Robbie.
First published in 1980, The Paper Bag Princess has sold over 7 million copies, reprinted over 100 times, and translated into over 20 languages. It has spawned Paper Bag Princess Week, leading up to Paper Bag Princess Day, where bookstores, libraries, and schools across North America hold events for kids to celebrate the self-assured Princess Elizabeth from the book and everything they have in common.
In recognition of the book’s success, Annick Press recently published a 40th anniversary edition with special features such as an afterword by Ann and Robert Munsch, a preface by Chelsea Clinton, and a foreword by Francesca Segal.