This vibrant, bright culturally rich childrens book tells the story of a royal king, his son Prince Babaloo Bandini, and the affection of his love, Spanish dancer Hoochie Coochie. At its core it is a simple tale with the timeless theme of love conquering all. The characters are charming and offer some great life lessons in a way that almost any child could comprehend. The story is engaging, age appropriate, likeable, and unassuming. The book also incorporates sweet poetry with just the right amount of humor. This delightful book with richly developed characters and a unique setting will surely foster a love of reading and promote family interaction especially when reading together before bedtime. The illustrations are adorable, lively, energetic, and beautifully rendered. In particular, the cover is captivating and draws you in. Children were also delighted to learn that the pictures were done by a young girl.