Alice the emergency princess

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Alice the emergency princess
Title of the original edition Reserve Princess Andersen
author Torun Lian
illustrator Øyvind torseter
translator Gabriele Haefs
country Norway
language Norwegian
genre Children's book
Publication date 2015 (Hardcover Norway)

2019 (Hardcover Germany)

pages 157
publishing company Aschehoug-Verlag (Hardcover Norway)

Gerstenberg Verlag (Hardcover Germany)

ISBN ISBN 978-82-03-25937-1 (hardcover Norway) ISBN 978-3-836-96010-6 (hardcover Germany)
Awards Brage prices
Website aschehoug.no (Hardcover Norway)

gerstenberg-verlag.de (Hardcover Germany)

Alice the Emergency Princess (Original title: Reserve Princess Andersen ) is a children's book by the Norwegian writer Torun Lian and the Norwegian illustrator Øyvind Torseter . It tells the story of shy Alice and her complicated friendship with Iver. Topics such as self-confidence, fear, shyness, envy, love and friendship are dealt with.

Alice the Emergency Princess was published in 2015 by Aschehoug-Verlag in Norwegian and in 2019 by Gerstenberg Verlag in German translation. It was translated into German by Gabriele Haefs .

The book was awarded the Brageprise for books for children and young people in 2015.

content

The children's novel is about the shy and reserved Alice Andersen, who and her class are supposed to perform the play "The princess who couldn't be silenced" at the end of the school year. Alice is very afraid of the performance because she doesn't like to present herself in front of people. Although she is only supposed to play the back legs of a horse, she also had to learn the text of the main role, because if something should happen to the main actress Helene, she has to step in as the emergency princess.

The closer the day of the performance approaches, the more Alice becomes frightened. In her head she imagines what could go wrong and how disappointed her family would be in her then. Iver, Alice's neighbor and only friend, regularly teases them on their way to school together.

When Helene falls from a bench during the dress rehearsal and remains motionless, Alice fears that she will actually have to take on the leading role. The accident turns out to be a joke by Helene, but strengthens Alice in her fear. At home she looks for reasons why she cannot take over the role of a princess in the event of Helene's failure, and ultimately decides to wear her mother's old glasses. In her opinion, with glasses that are way too big, she doesn't look like a princess because princesses don't wear glasses.

On the day of the performance, Alice goes to school with Iver wearing glasses. However, he does not believe in Alice's excuse that she went blind overnight and must therefore wear glasses. A bit of a discussion turns into a heated argument. Iver then ignores her and avoids her all day. Alice is very sad about this. She realizes how much Iver means to her and that he is more than just a friend to her.

Shortly before the performance, an argument develops between Helene and Odin, another classmate. He tripped Helene, she fell to the ground and suffered a concussion. When Helene has to be transported to the hospital, it is clear that Alice's worst fears will come true and that she will actually have to play the princess.

While her princess costume is being put on and she has to be carried backstage by the teacher, the admission begins. Alice tries to distract herself and is so lost in thought shortly before her performance that she skips the text. As if petrified, she stands silently on the stage.

Iver, who has to play with Alice in this scene, reproduces his text, but Alice does not reply to it. Even after repeated repetitions and prompts Alice does not react. Now Iver falls out of the role and speaks to her personally. Alice is very relieved that Iver is talking to her again and says that she will only play the scene when the two are friends again. Iver insists that they are even best friends. Alice now remembers the text with enthusiasm, but she doesn't just recite it, she sings it to the tune of the Norwegian national anthem in which she had learned the text in order to memorize it better. Iver reacts quickly and answers on the same tune. Alice forgets everything around her and is like in another world. At the end of the performance, the audience applauds enthusiastically. Alice is frightened and does not dare to step in front of the audience to say goodbye, but Iver encourages her and together, hand in hand, they step into the hall and earn a thunderous applause.

characters

main characters

Alice Andersen

The main character of the book is the shy and quiet Alice Andersen. Apart from her neighbor Iver, Alice has no friends. In her free time, she likes to read Alice in Wonderland, lies in her bed and thinks a lot. She lives with her three siblings and her parents in a small apartment. She feels more than friendship for her boyfriend Iver. But she only becomes aware of this when she becomes jealous of Helene, to whom Iver devotes a lot of time and admiration.

Iver

Iver lives with his mother in Alice's house next door. Every day he goes to school with Alice. He has red hair, big teeth, and freckles all over his body. He is Alice's best friend, but he also has many other friends with whom he enjoys and often plays soccer. Iver's father left the family shortly after his birth, which Iver secretly suffers from, but which he does not want to admit. In the school class play, he plays the second main role: the booby Hans, who in the end silences the princess and marries her. In contrast to Alice, he is self-confident and looks forward to the performance. He has a lot of fun presenting himself and is happy to be able to play with the beautiful Helene.

Minor characters

Helene

The pretty and popular Helene plays the princess in the play. She is the opposite of Alice. She is extroverted and loves to be the center of attention and to be admired by everyone. She likes to sing and dance and her three best friends support her and always cheer for her. She comes from a wealthy family and is driven to school in a limousine.

Teacher

The teacher directs the performance of the play. He is really looking forward to the performance and is optimistic about everything. He is more than enthusiastic about Helene as casting the main role, which he often expresses. At the end of the performance he was very enthusiastic about the piece and especially about Alice.

Alice's mother

Alice's mother is very nearsighted, which is why she wears strong glasses. She supports Alice wherever she can, but is more often involved with Alice's two younger siblings.

Alice's grandma

Alice's grandmother always has a clever saying or wisdom ready. She is Alice's role model, as she often disagrees with the rest of the family and also supports them. Alice is her grandmother's favorite granddaughter and is happy about her special bond. Her grandma is proud of Alice and cheers her on during the performance.

Martin Andersen

Martin Andersen is Alice's brother. He doesn't talk much and listens to music most of the time. He is also a big fan of Liverpool FC, which he owns several t-shirts.

Mia Andersen

Mia Andersen is Alice's little sister. She is curious and likes to discuss things with Alice often, although Alice always has to give in at the end so that Mia doesn't cry. Mia spends her free time washing her dolls and her stuffed rabbit.

Nominations and Awards

Web links