Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This is exactly what early chapter books should be: fun, accessible, and packed with positive messages that don't feel like lessons. The Princess in Black series has cracked the code on making princesses cool for modern kids—they're not waiting to be rescued, they're doing the rescuing (and occasionally creating accidental environmental disasters with monster stink).

The Bathtime Battle specifically shines in its teamwork message. Six heroes show up, they all try their signature moves, nothing works, and they have to actually collaborate. It's a great model for kids learning that sometimes the solution isn't being the strongest or fastest—it's working together.

The humor is solidly in the elementary school sweet spot: silly, a little gross, but never actually crude. Parents won't cringe reading it aloud, and kids will giggle. Shannon and Dean Hale know their audience, and LeUyen Pham's illustrations add so much personality that kids will spend time just looking at the pictures.

If your kid is in that 5-8 range and ready for chapter books, this series is a solid bet. It builds reading confidence, it's genuinely entertaining, and it might just inspire some backyard superhero play afterward.

Age Fit

Perfect for kids 5-9 who are transitioning to chapter books or want something with action and humor. The text is accessible for early readers, but the story is engaging enough that older kids won't feel talked down to. Once kids hit 10+, they'll likely have moved on to longer chapter books.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Models cooperation and teamwork beautifully—six heroes pool their talents to solve a problem together. The story centers on making mistakes (accidentally blowing the stench to other kingdoms) and then working to make things right. Humor is age-appropriate and silly (fart jokes, essentially, but done with charm). Promotes problem-solving and friendship without being preachy.

Imaginative

88

Takes the princess archetype and flips it—princesses are secret superheroes with ninja moves and monster-fighting skills. The premise of battling a literal stench is creative and absurd in the best way. Multiple masked heroes and animal sidekicks create a rich world that invites kids to imagine their own secret identities. LeUyen Pham's illustrations add visual creativity that encourages extended engagement with the story.

Safe

98

Completely safe for young readers. The 'monster' is a smell, and the conflict is entirely silly and non-threatening. No violence, scary content, or inappropriate themes. The humor is bathroom-adjacent (stinky smells compared to dirty diapers and trash) but never crude. Common Sense Media reviewed it positively with no safety concerns noted. This is as safe as early chapter books get.

Enriching

82

Teaches collaboration and creative problem-solving—when ninja moves fail, the heroes must think differently. Shows that mistakes happen (blowing the stench around) and what matters is working together to fix them. Builds early reading confidence with accessible vocabulary and engaging illustrations. The series subverts gender stereotypes by having princesses be action heroes. Entertaining enough that kids want to read more, which builds reading stamina.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Flips princess stereotypes—these royals are secret monster-fighting ninjas with actual skills
Models genuine teamwork and problem-solving when the heroes realize they need to work together instead of just fighting
Perfect early chapter book length with illustrations that keep emerging readers engaged
Bathroom humor that's silly without being gross—kids love it, parents can tolerate it
Part of a beloved series, so if your kid likes this one, there's a whole world to explore

⚠

What to Watch For

The humor is stink-based (comparisons to dirty diapers and trash cans), so if your kid is in a phase where they think everything potty-related is hilarious, buckle up
This is book 7 in the series—kids can start here, but they might want to go back and read the earlier adventures
The action is mild and cartoonish, but very young or sensitive kids might need reassurance that the 'monster' is just a smell

Conversation Starters

"The heroes kept accidentally making the problem worse by blowing the stink to other kingdoms. Have you ever tried to fix something and made it worse instead?"
"Why do you think the Princess in Black keeps her superhero identity secret? Would you want people to know if you were a superhero?"
"The heroes had to work together because their ninja moves didn't work. When have you had to ask for help to solve a problem?"
"If you could be a masked hero like the Princess in Black, what would your secret identity be? What would you fight?"

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