Reiko Odate Matsumoto

The Bowl Princess Reiko Odate Matsumoto

This delightfully illustrated retold folktale is about a little princess who lives with an ugly bowl upon her head. Her dying mother placed the bowl on her head when the princess was fourteen years old. No matter what she does, the bowl will not come off. People make fun of her and she is deeply unhappy. The princess wants to end her life and join her mother, but spirits will not allow her to do so. Despite her hardship, she finds love. Through this loving bond, the bowl comes off and from underneath drops a surprise box. The box breaks and a surprise awaits the little princess.