Whether she is still bursting into Frozen songs or prancing around in a non-specific tiara, it is clear she has the bug. Your child is in love with princesses.
There is something captivating about princesses for young children, often girls. I know I am personally captivated by the idea of having a maid and a cook, but it doesn’t seem like this is what captures the attention of little girls everywhere being sucked into the Disney Princess explosion of pink.
In our case it started with Rapunzel and personally it was a little hard for me to swallow it when my daughter suddenly took an interest to princesses. Honestly, courting the love of a prince (of which we have none in the USA) and dancing in balls (which are also infrequent) seemed like an ill-formed and silly life ambition.
At the end of the day, however, she was probably not going to become a princess, but it was where her interest laid at the moment. Being the dutiful believer in following a child’s interest that I am, I decided to support her, but in order to do this I was going to need to find some good books.
I was searching for books that dispelled some of the myth of the perfection of princesses or broadened the vision of what a princess could be. Below are 10 books that she and I both agree are pretty awesome.
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10 Best Princess Children’s Books
1. Angelina at the Palace
by Katharine Holabird
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Angelina Ballerina is back and this time she has been invited to the palace to help the princesses perform a ballet. The second day there the teacher gets sick however and Angelina has to fill in. My daughter loved the illustrations of the castle. I liked that Angelina realized princesses were not perfect. 3+
2. The Princess Knight
by Cornelia Funke
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Most princesses are taught to curtsey and embroider, but not Violetta. Raised by her father to be a soldier like her brothers, this nimble and determined princess becomes the best knight in the kingdom. Full of spunk, Violetta is a character for whom you will love to root. This is certainly not your typical princess story, but it helps to round out a collection and present your child with some additional options. 2+
3. Not All Princesses Dress in Pink
by Jane Yolen & Heidi E. Y. Stemple
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Can a princess play baseball or splash in a mud puddle? Can she wear overalls and plant a garden? Of course she can. A princess can wear and do what she wants. Bestselling author, Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple, challenge the stereotype that a princess is always dressed in a pink ball gown. The princesses in this book are diverse in their interests and attire. Don’t worry though. They might be brave, strong, and fearless princesses, but they are still sporting their sparkly crowns. Brief text is combined with illustrations that present princesses as more ordinary people. For every parent who has tried to talk their daughter into a pair of pants, this book is for you. 2+
4. The Tiny King
by Taro Miura
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The talented illustrator and graphic designer, Taro Miura has created a visually delightful book about a king and his unique family. The book begins with “Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a Tiny King.” This very small king lives all alone in a huge castle, surrounded by overwhelming array of very large things. One day the Tiny King falls in love with a big princess. When she becomes his queen his life changes forever. Suddenly he is no longer lonely and his castle is soon full of a laughing family. Miura stated “If this story reminds the fathers, mothers, and children who read it about the joy of having a family, it will make me very happy.” A beautiful message about family and love illustrated with ingenious and bold collage, this is unlike any other fairy tale. 3+
5. Ten Little Princesses
by Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty
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Ten princesses are off to the ball on their ponies when one by one they are picked off. Brownlow has taken classic countdown formula and combined it with a witty combination of fairy tale characters. Everyone from the Big Bad Wolf and those dangerous apples to the Beast and the Giant atop his beanstalk make an appearance. Can a Fairy God Mom save the day again? Perfect book for any pink, princess, fairy tale fan. 3+
6. Olivia and the the Fairy Princesses
by Ian Falconer
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What I love most about Olivia is that she is an original. In a world of little girls (and pigs) wearing pink and purple, she proudly marches in wearing black and red stripes. Here she is having an “identity crisis” because she isn’t sure what she wants to be when she grows up. Her father suggests a princess, but she is horrified by this unoriginal idea. Don’t worry, Olivia comes up with the best idea yet. 3+
7. Princess Patty Meets Her Match
by Charise Mericle Harper
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Patty is tired of waiting for her prince to come so she sets off with her sparkly bag and her pet starfish to find him herself. This book actually made me laugh out loud which is rare and embarrassing when you are standing in a bookstore. Being a sensible princess, Patty isn’t interested in glass shoes or someone climbing on her hair. I couldn’t decide if I was disappointed or not when she does ultimately meet a prince, but he seems a good match for this smart, spunky girl. Decked out with sparkles on the cover just for good measure and filled with princesses of all kinds, this a good read for any little princess in training. 3+
8. The Princess and the Pea
by Rachel Isadora
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Retold and illustrated by the lovely Caldecott Honor Winner, Rachel Isadora this takes the classic fairy tale and places it in Africa. The story is true to the classic version, but the interpretation and setting make it unique. Isadora’s colorful, striking illustrations are eye catching. The pile of textured fabric mattresses was our favorite illustration. An innovative approach to this traditional tale. 3+
9. Ella’s Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella
by Shirley Hughes
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Another unique take on the Cinderella story. The classic story flows throughout, but with a snazzy, roaring 20s flair and a surprise decision at the end. Beautifully illustrated in Hughes’ flowing and realistic style. 3+
10. Falling for Rapunzel
by Leah Wilcox and Lydia Monks
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What is the princesses couldn’t understand the prince shouting at her from way below the tower? That is the premise of this hilarious take on the Rapunzel fairy tale. The play on words will make kids laugh and the discuss of the practicalities of fairy tale plot lines warms my heart. 3+
