How to Get Rid of a Princess*

By Alison McLennan & Mel Pearce

Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing 2026

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Alison McLennan is an Australian professional voiceover artist and actor as well as a writer of children’s books which include Birdie Lights up the World, Great and Small and Hotel for Bees, all of which are interesting and enjoyable reads but How to Get Rid of a Princess is her best yet. It is a masterpiece of deadpan humour and crafty plotting underpinned by a pitch perfect understanding of sibling relationships. Mel Pearce is a Western Australian artist and illustrator who takes inspiration from games, Japanese animation, childhood nostalgia, and more. Her works include No! Never! created in collaboration with Libby Gleeson.

The setting is fairytale – a young knight, a princess and a castle but it is all about a young boy trying to discourage his younger sister constantly wanting to be with him. The tone here is that of an instruction manual, (the title does start ‘How to’), and various suggestions are given for getting rid of the annoying younger sibling in your life, aka Princess. They include bribery (cupcakes), digging a moat, using a crocodile, a dragon and even an ogre! However, this is only general advice… and might not work in every castle.

 

Mel Pearce’s inspired artwork perfectly complements McLennan’s understated text with chaotic, energetic and expressive illustrations that create and exaggerate the drama, the excitement, and the frustration leading to the final rapprochement. This is a common scenario in many families where the older sibling wants to do their own thing but the younger one is keen to join in and totally oblivious that they are not wanted. Using a fairytale framework gives both writer and artist the freedom to subvert normal expectations and to create some hilarious situations.

What makes this book about sibling relations stand out is that it doesn’t just suggest acceptance of the situation by the older child but positively encourages looking for ways in which the younger sibling can contribute, after all they may have a talent for jousting, court-jestering, and be very amusing at sleepovers.

A wonderfully fantastical and joyful story that offers a glimpse into the ups and downs of sibling dynamics. (White Raven)

How to Get Rid of a Princess is one of the four Australian titles chosen this year  for inclusion in the prestigious 2026 White Raven List of international and youth literature compiled by the International Youth Library.

Congratulations to both creators.

*A StoryLinks starred review indicating a book of exceptional literary merit