Irony and humor in princess smartypants

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyse the postmodern picturebook Princess Smartypants, written and illustrated by Babette Cole, taking into account the relationship between the words and the images and the incongruities posed not only between the text and the images but also between this tale and other fairytales. Generic conventions, background knowledge and intertextuality are key aspects to identify and/or to solve the incongruities, which provoke irony and humor.