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I happened to stumble on the most adorable story. I was at our local library and my little girl was running around (quietly!) yanking any book that was predominantly pink and/or had a princess on the cover. Most of them were the "perfect" blonde princess books. I replaced those. One was different though: Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman.
Isn't that the sweetest cover? So, why is this such a great story? Let me 'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up:
There will be two princesses chosen to be in the parade this year. Grace hopes to be one of them - with a pink and floaty dress. But when she asks what a princess does exactly, it actually sounds boring. That is, until her teacher shows her books of real life princess and story princesses from other lands - princesses that wouldn't be wearing pink and floaty dresses
As she learns more, she decides what kind of princess she would really like to be and it doesn't involve pink either! "Will you still like it?" her mother asks. "There's more than one way of being pretty," answers Grace.
Another reason I appreciated this book is that her mother and grandmother remind her that she may not be chosen. THANK YOU! My kids are geniuses, could be models, and are hi-la-ri-ous (as are yours, I am sure). And they don't always get chosen. Positive reinforcement is important, but teaching your kids some of the realities of life is important too. I think this book did a nice job of that. It was light, but got some great messages across.
The illustrations are very colorful, very detailed watercolors. Lovely pictures. There is a brief lesson at the back of the book about princesses - real and legend. The reader is encouraged to learn more. Verrry interesting. I plan on looking up some of these stories.
This book says it is appropriate for K-2 (5-8), but I think you could stretch it a bit further in either direction, especially if you are looking for a positive story about accepting who we are. Have you read this? If you haven't,check it out at your local library. If you have, let me know what you think about it, or if you have a favorite "positive message" book!
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Oh, I love the sound of this. Thanks for sharing, Leslie.
ReplyDeleteI love when a great book just shows up out of nowhere! Serendipity is a wonderful thing, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet but smart sounding book for girls. Hope it is in lots of school libraries.
I remember this book from when my kids were young--I think there's a whole series of Grace books. I remember liking the message of the book, and, if I recall correctly, there's a nice set of multi-generational relationships with Grace's grandmother as well as mother helping her through things.
ReplyDeleteYes, there is a series and I am planning on getting them all!
DeleteThanks so much for sharing! This book looks precious and I love its messages.
ReplyDeleteYes, and I know the other in the series are just as positive!
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