Recommended Modern Day Fairy tales
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews, Little Brown, 2010.
This picture book is for children who still want their princess theme. The great thing about this story though, is that it reminds readers to have confidence in yourself, as well as letting readers know it's okay for girls to get dirty. It stresses the modern day princess, which is you can be whoever you want to be and to be confident in whom you are.
This picture book is for children who still want their princess theme. The great thing about this story though, is that it reminds readers to have confidence in yourself, as well as letting readers know it's okay for girls to get dirty. It stresses the modern day princess, which is you can be whoever you want to be and to be confident in whom you are.
The Princess and the Pizza by Mary Jane Auch, Holiday House 2002.
This fun, quirky book tells the tale of Paulina who is in a food competition with two other princesses and her food choice to make is pizza. In the end, Paulina rejects the Prince, and opens up her own pizzeria. The positive message here is that girls/women can work and even open their own business.
This fun, quirky book tells the tale of Paulina who is in a food competition with two other princesses and her food choice to make is pizza. In the end, Paulina rejects the Prince, and opens up her own pizzeria. The positive message here is that girls/women can work and even open their own business.
Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole, Penquin, 1997.
Princess Smartypants thoroughly enjoys her independence. So when her parents are trying to get her married, Princess Smartypants makes almost impossible tasks for the potential candidates.
Princess Smartypants thoroughly enjoys her independence. So when her parents are trying to get her married, Princess Smartypants makes almost impossible tasks for the potential candidates.
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke, Scholastic, 2004.
Violet wants to prove to everyone that she is just as brave and strong as her brothers. But her father only cares about her getting married, so Violet decides to show everyone how strong and brave she actually is. She disguises herself as a boy and partakes in the knight jousting tournament. After winning the contest, she reveals herself and finally gets the respect she deserves.
Violet wants to prove to everyone that she is just as brave and strong as her brothers. But her father only cares about her getting married, so Violet decides to show everyone how strong and brave she actually is. She disguises herself as a boy and partakes in the knight jousting tournament. After winning the contest, she reveals herself and finally gets the respect she deserves.
My Princess Boy by Cheryl Kilodavis, Alladin, 2010.
Inspired by a true story, Dyson loves everything pink and sparkly; he even likes to dress up like princesses. Not only does it teach young readers that they can wear whatever clothes they want, but to also make it a point that it is not okay to bully others by what they look like, or what they wear.
Not All Princess Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen, Simon & Schuster, 2010.
This book gives the message to stand out and be who you want to be, even if you live in a society where people have told you to act and be certain way. It also teaches readers that princesses can come in all shapes and sizes.
This book gives the message to stand out and be who you want to be, even if you live in a society where people have told you to act and be certain way. It also teaches readers that princesses can come in all shapes and sizes.
And for the parents:
Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein, HarperCollins, 2010.
Orenstein travels across the States to really understand what society has done to women and girls. She interviews parents of beauty pageant girls, visits Disneyland and American Girl to really understand this phenomenon of girls wanting to be princesses, their obsession with pink, and the findings aren't pretty. Orenstein teaches parents the negative outcomes of this "girly culture" and how parents can protect their daughters from it.