I'm Going to Be a Princess

by Stephanie Taylor, Jade Orlando (Illustrator), Rachel Handshaw (Read by)

Overview

What will Maya be when she grows up? A rocket scientist like Annie Easley? An Olympic athlete like Alice Coachman? A brain surgeon like Alexa Canady?


In this heart warming and funny story, Maya discovers the achievements of some amazing Black women . . . but it's a brave Nigerian princess who really captures her imagination!

With humor and zeal, Stephanie Taylor celebrates the lives of incredible Black women in this moving and funny, feminist narrative, while award winning illustrator Jade Orlando's colorful art perfectly captures the warm and charming mother daughter relationship.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798887770345
Publisher:	Nosy Crow
Publication date:	12/05/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Stephanie Taylor is a British—born author of Jamaican heritage. Married to Michael, she has two amazing grown—up children, Sîan and Miles. Stephanie has worked in elementary school education for over 20 years at the same school in South East London. Reading and writing books for children is Stephanie's passion—if she can use this to encourage children to read then she feels like she has achieved something wonderful.

Jade Orlando is an award—winning illustrator whose colorful illustrations are featured in books, apparel, advertising, and licensing, with clients including Hallmark, Simon & Schuster, and the ACLU. Jade lives in the 'burbs of Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, three cats, and a Greyhound named Petra. When she's not illustrating, you can usually find her curled up with her pets and a really good book.

Editorial Reviews

Amusing, informative, and relatable, for young readers and caregivers alike.—Kirkus Reviews

A Black mother and daughter discuss role models.
A young girl named Maya dreams of being a princess, much to the consternation of her mother, who shares examples of amazing Black women through history to coax her daughter away from what she sees as a stereotypically feminine desire. Wouldn't Maya rather be a doctor, like Alexa Canady? Or a dancer, like Misty Copeland? Or a rocket scientist, like Annie Easley? As the two walk home from school, Mom offers more examples of women whom she hopes Maya will emulate. Though these women are fantastic, Maya is steadfast about wanting to be a princess. And at the end of the story, she tells her mother she wants to be just like Princess Amina, a warrior princess who, centuries ago, ruled the Zazzau Kingdom in West Africa—a fearless leader, she was devoted to her people and worked tirelessly for them. This satisfying conclusion flips the narrative and upends assumptions about who a princess is and what she might look like; caregivers of princess—obsessed kids may chuckle at the reveal. The text is conversational, accompanied by lively illustrations that set a light, fun tone. The book strikes a good balance, including subjects that readers may not be familiar with as well as better—known names. Backmatter offers more information about the women featured in the book.
Amusing, informative, and relatable, for young readers and caregivers alike. (Informational picture book. 4—8)

—Kirkus

A Black girl leaves school one day and announces to her mother that she is going to be a princess; on the way home, her mother offers alternative real—life Black women role models, but Maya will not be swayed. A simple question, however, leads to understanding and a lesson in assumptions. —Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews

This book is designed for parents to read to their children and designed to help them be confident in what they would like to do as a career when they get older.

—Kevin Winter, Chicago Book Review

From the Publisher

2023-08-30
A Black mother and daughter discuss role models.

A young girl named Maya dreams of being a princess, much to the consternation of her mother, who shares examples of amazing Black women through history to coax her daughter away from what she sees as a stereotypically feminine desire. Wouldn’t Maya rather be a doctor, like Alexa Canady? Or a dancer, like Misty Copeland? Or a rocket scientist, like Annie Easley? As the two walk home from school, Mom offers more examples of women whom she hopes Maya will emulate. Though these women are fantastic, Maya is steadfast about wanting to be a princess. And at the end of the story, she tells her mother she wants to be just like Princess Amina, a warrior princess who, centuries ago, ruled the Zazzau Kingdom in West Africa—a fearless leader, she was devoted to her people and worked tirelessly for them. This satisfying conclusion flips the narrative and upends assumptions about who a princess is and what she might look like; caregivers of princess-obsessed kids may chuckle at the reveal. The text is conversational, accompanied by lively illustrations that set a light, fun tone. The book strikes a good balance, including subjects that readers may not be familiar with as well as better-known names. Backmatter offers more information about the women featured in the book.

Amusing, informative, and relatable, for young readers and caregivers alike. (Informational picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews