Like most kids my son is a fan of princesses, when I ask him why he loves his princess sippy cups best of all he says “Because there are pretty girls all over them.” Makes sense. I expect more of princess books, though, I don’t want to feed the princess obsession too much and think these books do a great job of balancing the fun and the healthy sides of our princess obsessed kids.
The Princess and the Pizza
Princess Smartypants
Pinkalicious
Good Night, Princess Pruney Toes
The Paper Bag Princess
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What’s your favorite Princess book? Do you think it has a healthy message for kids?
Jackie Lee says
We haven’t read many princess books ~ but I do love Pinkalicious!! Hanna really liked that one too.
.-= Jackie Lee´s last blog ..Start Your Own Food Revolution =-.
Amy says
I’d also add Cornelia Funke’s The Princess Knight to the list. After her father the king tries to arrange her marriage, she proves that she’s more powerful than all of his sons and all of the knights in the land. And she gets to fall in love with who she wants. It’s a great tale.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..All the Cool Girls are Math Nerds =-.
Janelle says
The Princess Knight is a good one! We also like Princess Hyacinth (The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated). Princess Stories: A Classic Illustrated Edition has all the familiar tales. Another favorite here: Do Princesses Really Kiss Frogs? Sterling has a unusual and visually stunning picture book coming out this summer: The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier.
.-= Janelle´s last blog ..JellyTelly – Christian Online TV series for kids =-.
Amber says
I have extremely mixed feelings about the whole princess message, but my 5-year-old doesn’t care. She LOVES everything princess. So I try to keep a sense of perspective about it as best I can. I remember being a huge princess fan at her age, too, and I grew up to be an engineer. Hopefully, as my daughter gets older, my example will be more important to her than the pop culture princesses.
In the meantime, I love “The Paper Bag Princess”, it’s one of my favourite children’s books ever. I appreciate that it emphasizes intelligence and resourcefulness over beauty.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..30-Something High School Students =-.
Amber says
Cute! Just today, my two year old told me I was a princess and he was a super. 🙂
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Cowboy Table Mat =-.
Dara says
We love Paperbag Princess. My kid’s asked about calling the prince a bum and we discussed it. I’m never against these “sensitive” topics in a kids book as long as it’s well-written and has a good overall message.
One of our favourites ever is The Tough Princess by Martin Wadell. It’s a story about a King and Queen who foolishly lose their fortunes and depend upon their coming child to raise them back to the previous circumstances. When it turns out the child is a girl they involve a Bad Fairy in their plan. The Princess bops the Bad Fairy then takes off on a journey of rescuing rich princes. But she doesn’t like them so she throws them back.
It’s a kind of fractured fairy-tale and though my daughter would prefer the princess wear a beautiful gown and I would prefer it not promote “bopping,” it’s a delightful read.
We also like The Princess Knight. And all our traditional princesses – Rapunzel is a favourite around here, but the closer to original source version as published by Aliz Berezny where Rapunzel is as strong as the prince and rescues him in the end. It’s pretty gothic but the pictures are amazing and the kids love the story.
Wendy says
Pinkalicious is one of my daughter’s favorite books. We have been on the waiting list in the library for this book for the 3rd time since January. I think I have to get her own copy. We read it twice today.
Everytime we get to the part of Pinkalicious sticking out her tongue at her Mommy. My daughter says “Pinkalicious has to go into time out”! I make believe the author wrote that part in it. LOL!
Natalie says
Watch out – your son has the right ideas about pretty girls already 🙂 We read many of the books on your list, but my daughter is completely not into princesses. She hated Paper Bag Princess – she found it scary. I do think that it’s a great book for older kids. I was really so-so on Pinkalicious, especially on the fact that she HAD to eat green veggies (very reluctantly) to return to normal. I did chuckle at the ending though. But I have never heard about Princess Pruney Toes – and I believe that this is the one my daughter would love. Thanks for sharing all those great books.
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..What My Child Is Reading – March 27, 2010 =-.
Noelle Donaldson says
Sheila Walsh has a wonderful series of Princess Books about Princess Gigi…and being God’s Little Princess. I am a Christian Mother who LOVES LOVES LOVES everything princess. I am teaching my 2 year old that she is the daughter of the King of Kings…and she is His princess. The Bible teaches a lot about the importance of a kind heart, a gracious spirit, and loving attitude. I don’t see one thing wrong with this kind hearted little girl wearing a boa and a tiarra! Happy Reading! Love your blog. Thank you so much for the time you invest in helping us help our kids learn!
Julie says
Hands down, best princess book is The Well at the End of the World. http://www.rsansouci.com/pages/books/well.htm It’s a great story about an independent princess. We just stumbled on this at the library, and want to buy it for all the little girls in my life.
Corbett Mitchell says
Have you read Princess Bubble? Another great one for girls.
lynne sleiman says
I love Audrey Wood’s “The princess and the Dragon” about a very rude Princess and a very Polite dragon that change places. ;]
Lisa says
“Fanny’s dream” and “Sleeping Ugly” are two I really like. The first because we all have our own fairly tale, and the second because it shows that what’s inside is what matters most.
Kelly says
Princess Grace (of the Amazing Grace and Boundless Grace books) is just great, especially for girls who like princesses, as well as adventuring and all types of other things.
Anna says
I came across this web page and remembered this post. What do you think about the street fighting princesses?