Review

VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess

Common Sense Media says

Engaging, faith-based retelling of a classic princess tale.
Age
4
Quality
 
  • Educational value1
    Strongly promotes the joys of reading and books. Presents some aspects of life in England at the turn of the 20th century.
  • Positive messages4
    Secular messages: everyone deserves kindness, books offer wonderful adventures, there's much to be thankful for even when life is hard, and "a servant on the outside can be a princess on the inside." The story's basic religious message is repeated throughout in a variety of ways: The ability to love others and be kind to everyone comes from the knowledge that "God loves us no matter what and is with us always."
  • Positive role models4
    Young Sara Crewe is reliably cheerful, kind to everyone, generous even when she has almost nothing for herself, and refuses to lose sight of the beauties and gifts that life offers. In her bleakest moments, she turns to God for courage and solace and reminds herself never to give up. The one villain in the story -- a cold-hearted, insincere headmistress -- faces the consequences of her behavior.
  • Violence & scariness1
    The main character loses a parent and is treated poorly.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, as in the source material (A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett), the lovable young heroine of VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess suffers the loss of a devoted parent and a radical change from the life of luxury and comfort she's known. But what could have been a sad, disheartening story isn't; the good-natured little girl relies on her faith, and all turns out well. The story, which will appeal to little kids most of all but isn't without charm for older ones and their parents, has many sound, well-illustrated messages and is more closely tied to religious teachings than some other VeggieTales offerings.

This review of VeggieTales: The Penniless Princess was written by

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Parent
September 3, 2012
3
OK for kids & up
 
Great movie!
Great little movie! My 3-year-old daughter would watch it all day if she could!
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