Part history, part fairy tale - and completely charming - "Why Kings and Queens Don't Wear Crowns" is a delightful story by Norway's Princess Märtha Louise.
Little Prince Olav is only 2 years old when he lands on Norwegian soil with his parents in 1905. They've been chosen as Norway's royal family, and little Olav can't wait to wear his crown.
Finally, the coronation is held at Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, and little Olav receives his crown and a throne. But soon he realizes that sitting on a throne is rather tiresome.
King Haakon and Queen Maud decide they need to know more about their realm and send Olav and his nanny out to learn Norwegian customs and traditions.
"Now, be careful with your crown," warns the nanny, over and over again, as Olav tries his hand at building snowmen, sledding and skiing.
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The king and queen decide to try skiing, too, with disastrous results: Both the king and queen lose their crowns in the snow.
A search party finds the crowns - crooked, bent out of shape and missing a few jewels. The crowns are repaired, and the royal court suggests that the crowns be put on display in Trondheim.
Little Olav is heartbroken, of course - he hadn't lost his crown. But the queen explains to him, "The crown you are wearing on your head is only for decoration. The crown that matters most is the one you wear in your heart."
Don't expect Princess Märtha Louise to be wearing a crown when she visits Norsk H¸stfest in Minot, N.D. She'll be reading from - and signing - her book Oct. 12-13, before going on to Seattle.
Readers may contact Forum reviewer Gail Gabrielson at (701) 241-5536
