Early readers getting ready for chapter books will love this sugary sweet new series about fairies from Candy Kingdom. In this first book in the Royal Sweets series, today is going to be Princess Mini’s first day at the Royal Fairy Academy.  Along the way there she and her flying unicorn, Butterscotch, hear a cry for, “Help,” from a very young, small troll. Princess Mini helps Gobo, the troll, out of the caramel thornbush just as the bell begins to ring to start school. Gobo says trolls and princesses are not supposed to talk to each other, but Princess Mini says, “fairy princesses are supposed to help other.” (15)

Princess Mini arrives at school as the last bell rings. Her first class is making sugar and spice candy using cinnamon or a dash of mint. The whole time Princess Mini is distracted by thinking about Bogo. At recess, a bit of intrigue begins as Princesses Cupcake and Swirlie come over to talk to Mini with negative compliments. Then, Prince Frosting almost overhears Mini telling her friend Taffy about Bogo. As the first day of school comes to an end, Frosting still does not know about Bogo, but he isn’t giving up on finding out their secret.

Mini and Taffy have just gotten Bogo to come out from finding when Frosting flies up on his unicorn. Bogo, though, is too quick to let Frosting see him. Afterwards, Taffy , Mini, and Bogo ‘pinkie’ promise “to a sweet secret friendship!”(65)

The reader will want to fly through the text, but want to slow down for the two or three black and white illustrations per chapter. The font is large and the chapters are short enough for beginning chapter book readers to feel successful.

Includes: Table of Contents, Word List (glossary, with pronunciation) , and questions.