The Enchanted Forest Chronicles: Book One: Dealing with Dragons is the first in a series of four, plus an extra book of short stories, by Patricia C. Wrede. I read them to grandson Patrick when he was somewhere in single digits – absolutely one of the best series we read together.
So there’s a princess, Cimorene by name, the 7th daughter in her household. She was quite disgruntled at being betrothed to a fairly dim prince, and flounced out to the garden to consider. “I’d rather be eaten by a dragon”, she muttered. “That can be arranged,” said a voice from beside her left slipper.
And it goes from there! An hysterically funny cheerful book of disasters, remedies, a very common sense witch, a prince who doesn’t give up and one of the best dragons you’ll ever, ever meet. And when you’re finished with that one, you’ve got more to read. You’ll be so glad.
So when you’re wishing you had an extra room in your house for studying or thinking – you’ll find it in the witch’s house. Take your kid with you!