Fresh Princess: A Picture Book About Standing Out and Being Yourself for Kids

by Denene Millner, Gladys Jose (Illustrator)

Based on The Fresh Prince created by Will Smith, Destiny is the Fresh Princess. Meet Destiny—a cool, energetic, and strong-willed young girl who approaches every day with her own signature style! That is, until she moves to a brand-new neighborhood, where nothing looks quite the same as it did at her old house. Even with new challenges and new friends to make, Destiny always has a plan. With a few reminders from her loving family and after remembering what being the Fresh Princess is all about, she may just take the leap and jump right in! Written by celebrated author, blogger, and editor Denene Millner and illustrated by Gladys Jose, Fresh Princess is the perfect book to encourage kids to proudly stand out and be themselves!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Friendship, Storytime, Princesses, African American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 2, 2019

About the author

Denene Millner is a six-time New York Times best-selling author, Emmy Award-nominated TV show host and award-winning journalist and book publisher who has written more than 30 books, among them: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, co-written with Steve Harvey; Around the Way Girl, a memoir with actress Taraji P. Henson; the Fresh Princess picture books, with Will Smith; and, The Vow, the novel on which the hit Lifetime movie, “With This Ring,” was based. The writer and editor is also the editorial director and publisher of Denene Millner Books, an award-winning imprint that publishes stories featuring Black children and families, by Black authors and illustrators. The DMB list includes two Caldecott Honor books, a Kirkus Prize for Children’s Literature, two Society for Illustrator honors, a Southern Book Award, an instant New York Times bestseller and three NAACP nominations. Denene also co-hosts the nationally syndicated PBS show, A Seat at the Table, and is the host of “Speakeasy with Denene,” a podcast exploring Black culture. Denene’s upcoming novel, One Blood, a multi-generational epic about motherhood, adoption and race, is slated to be published in eight countries when it debuts in 2023. A MacDowell fellow, Denene lives in Atlanta with her two daughters and their goldendoodle, Franklin.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denene Millner, author of the adult Hotlanta series, turns to children's books with this new story, inspired by actor Will Smith and his hit television show, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Destiny, a young girl nicknamed the "Fresh Princess" by her family, must face her biggest challenge yet when her family moves to Philadelphia. Feeling shy and insecure at first, she initially refuses to join the local neighborhood children in their game of Double Dutch. Encouraged by her father and sister however, she soon gathers her courage, and finds that she fits right in...

I don't usually care for children's books that coattail ride on celebrity culture, so when I saw the little decal on the front cover of Fresh Princess declaring that it was inspired by Will Smith - "The Fresh Prince" - I approached with caution. The story was actually quite sweet however, and the artwork cute, in a cartoon-like way. I don't know that this really needed to be associated with a television show at all, as the story works quite well without that connection. I suppose for fans of the show, it adds some extra appeal, but for me it felt gratuitous. On the other hand, it was nice to see a "moving house" story featuring an African-American family. It is to readers looking for such a book, as well as to fans of Will Smith and his television show, that I would recommend this one.

(Note: Although Millner is not a celebrity herself, I have added this title to my 'celebrity authors' shelf, given its overt association with a celebrity)

[LaDonna · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a kid who grew up in the 90s, there was no way I was going to walk past a book with a tagline: "Inspired by Will Smith, The Fresh Prince". I just had to check this book out. Would it take me back to the sitcom? Or would it introduce a new twist to the tale? Well...it did a little of both.

Denene Miller, accompanied by the wonderful illustrations of Gladys Jose, introduces us to Destiny, the Fresh Princess, and her family. Not to give all the secrets away, but Destiny must confront a change that she does not want. Who cannot relate to this? Change is hard, regardless of age. But, Ms. Miller weaves a tale grounded in possibility.

I will leave you with this:

  

    
       The best things are on the other side of fear.
    
  

[Dest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed this isn't a little girl version of the lyrics to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme. It's perfectly fine how it is, but I wish it went like this:

Now, this is a story all about how
My life got flipped turned upside down
And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there,
I'll tell you how I became PRINCESS of a town called Bel Air.

I mean, don't you want that book?! I certainly do. I'd been looking forward to this and I feel a little cheated.

Instead of moving out of West Philadelphia, our Fresh Princess Destiny (nice name!) is moving to West Philadelphia. She is not ultra-confident like young Will Smith on TV. She's worried about not being as good at double Dutch as her new neighbors. But her sister and her dad (note: she doesn't live with her Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv) help her through. She discovers having fun with new friends is the freshest thing of all.

Overall this is a sweet picture book with only a very slight connection to Will Smith's TV show, despite his name being on the cover. I feel robbed, but I'm over it.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fresh Princess

I Picked Up This Book Because: To read with my nieces.

Media Type: Digital
Source: Hoopla via PP Library
Dates Read: 7/25/21 - 7/25/21
Stars: 4 Stars

The Story:

Super cute and quick book about adjusting to a new home.neighborhood. Destiny is a fun character. She’s cute and imaginative. This was a great book for young readers.

The Random Thoughts:


Challenges:

Birth and Beyond Reading Challenge - Picture Books from A to Z - F

[LaShana (she|her) Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

A very cute book about being brave and conquering your fears. I’d recommend this book to anyone who is moving their little ones to a new city or school.

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by Will Smith's Fresh Prince, Fresh Princess tells the tale of a young jump-roper faced with the prospect of moving to a new place.  Where she used to have confidence, she now feels shy--and she doesn't feel quite ready to start jump-roping or double-dutching with the neighbor kids yet.  But with fun, colorful illustrations and a fantastic rhyming scheme, Millner and Jose construct a wonderful story that shows the delights to be found in new neighborhoods.  Great for grades K-2, and wonderful for the moving child or the young one who loves skipping rope.

Review cross-listed here!

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even given my heavy heap of nostalgia for 'The Fresh Prince,' I wasn't charmed and didn't see enough of a direct line from the original TV show to this book for the authors to be riffing on the Will Smith version.

I found this book to be long, and thus for kiddos who can sit through a longer picture book (2nd-4th grade?). Readers will appreciate the up-to-date language and art.

[Matthew Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was adorable

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Childrens picture book. This book's title is unfortunate in my opinion. Many of my generation that grew up watching "The Fresh Prince" on TV spent a lot of time learning the words and the beat of the theme song, trying to keep up with the pace as Will Smith rapped on the screen. I thought this book would be a cute book about a modern girl, with words set to that theme song. Nope. A young black girl moves with her family to West Philadelphia. It's a decent story, about not wanting to move but coming to love a new location, but it still felt like a letdown.

[Michelle Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by Will Smith’s Fresh Prince, this book follows a young girl named Destiny. Destiny and her family are moving away from her childhood home and are going to, you guessed it, West Philadelphia. Her father tries to acclimate her to the new city by taking her for walks, taking her on the subway, etc., so that she gets used to the new city. However, she wants friends, and jump rope is her passion. At first she’s nervous, but eventually she decides to play with the (very friendly) neighborhood kids. Suddenly, she is a little less homesick and is beginning to make a new home in her new city.

I would pair this book with other books in my reading journey that deal with moving and having to reestablish yourself in a new location. The book is also a useful example of young, black girls being represented and would pair well with similar stories. It would be nice to read this book and then pair it with a jump-rope based activity if you could host a program with physical education as part of the curriculum. It could also be useful to have children discuss rope-themed games and rhyming patterns (as they vary!).

I spent my childhood watching the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on television, so I was already nostalgic when I saw there was a new spin-off children’s book covering similar themes. Having read it, I’m not sure how it officially ties into the original tv show, but do appreciate the struggles of a young girl moving to a new city and having to start over and make new friends. It was cute that the journey took us back to West Philadelphia.

[Natasha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a decent book overall. I did not go into this with expectations that it would "rhyme" with the theme song of the show (because the show itself was so much more than just the theme song). As with all books, I kept in mind that this is indeed a CHILDREN'S picture book. As much as I like to tout how cool my 5 & 6-year-old girls are, and their love of all things 90's, they have never seen the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so the fact that this children's story is not a cute "hip-hop" rhyme, is irrelevant to everything.

What I loved about this book (as did my girls) is how it broke down the "real" feelings of what it is like for children to move. As a family who has had to move on several occasions, this story made it very easy for my younger girls (and even my tween and teen) to identify with. Granted we live the south :)

The illustrations are cute. I love how Destiny's style and flair is so reminiscent of my own kids. I also love that Destiny's steps out of her comfort zone with the help of her dad and isn't afraid to make West Philly her very own throne. I do not understand how other readers gathered she had no confidence, but she most certainly did!

I highly recommend this book for kids between 4-8 years of age. Especially for those who have moved around quite a bit, as well as those kids who may need a little push to get out there and shine their light!

[Nava Rubinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awards: N/A
Grade levels: K-3rd

Summary: Destiny is a special and fresh little girl. Fresh means you're "Brave", have "your own style" and are "supersmart". She loves her family and her life, but she feels terribly sad when she must move away to a new city and away from all her friends. Will Destiny adjust and make new friends?

Review: This book is lovely as it features a powerful little girl who is a POC. She moves to a new house which is something many children can relate to, and shows that it is okay to be sad and still miss your old home, while being excited for change and to make new memories and friends.

In-class uses: Children could write about a time they were worried about making new friends or a time when they were brave about making a new friend. Destiny is also a great character to do a discussion about traits with.

[Jami Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by Will Smith from the show "The Fresh Prince," the book was cute. It is about an African American girl whose name is Destiny. Her dad calls her his "Fresh Princess." Destiny faces a new challenge when she moves to a new neighborhood. She uses her imagination to foresee the future with her new room's possibilities. She sees new people playing outside but it too shy to go introduce herself and decides to watch. Her dad takes her on a special train and she sees the beautiful art on the walls of the buildings as they pass by. Her sister asks her why she isn't outside with the other kids. I notice her sister is an African American activist. She has a Malcolm X poster and March 4 Rights posters on he wall. She believes that everyone has a voice and should be heard! I agree. Destiny finally has the courage to go outside and fits right in with all the other children.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is solid, but the moving story has been done before. However, it is a little different this time, but you still get the "upset about moving" and the "jitters" trying to make new friends. The fact that this family is black, but this is not an "issue" they just "are" (the normalcy of this is very refreshing). The fact you also get to see a city will be accessible to kids who live in the city or will be moving. You do have to keep an eye on the illustrations as they will give you some details not in the story, but delightful extras (spoiler/example: one of the daughters has a poster of Malcolm X in her room and not the usual, Dr. King or Maya Angelou, which could be a discussion piece for older readers).

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

***** (PB) Great story for girls. This story features a little girl who is dealing with many challenges - from moving and leaving friends, to making new friends and being brave enough to try new things. I love the text and illustrations. The words are carefully chosen and very comforting, as well as inspiring. The illustrations are colorful and happy. Even in the tough moments, Destiny finds a way to stand up and keep going forward. I think it will be a great book for girls who are trying to build their confidence and enjoy life in the midst of constant changes. Highly recommended for Grades K -3.

[Tori Crews]

This book is about an African American girl whose name is Destiney. Her dad calls her his Fresh Princess. Destiny moves to a new neighborhood and tries to see her future. She sees kids playing outside but Destiny is too shy and decides to just watch instead. Her dad takes her for a train ride where she sees beautiful artwork hanging up. Her sister then asks why she's not playing with the other kids. Her sister believes everyone has a voice and should be heard and she is absolutely right. This would be a good book to show students that everyone has a right to an opinion and deserves to be heard.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying that I grew up with "Fresh Prince" and loved his swagger, charm, and style. I expected the same from this book, and did NOT find it at all. The entire concept Felt Forced. Blech.

Let me try to be a bit kinder, I thought. I like the art! And then it came to me: if I try to think about this all in Reverse then this book is kind of sort of okay-ish: Fresh Prince moved from West Philly, and Fresh Princess is moving to West Philly. He had confidence; she has none. He had charm. This book doesn't. See it works!

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book and thought it was cute. It seems like it should/could/would be part of a series called the Fresh Princess. I am not sure what is the affiliation with the Fresh Prince of Bel Air but there is some sort of connection. The illustrations are funky fresh and dope and I like how they showed the father and daughter spending time together touring through Philadelphia. I love the part with the double dutch. I know she is trying to find home and her place in the world and I feel it could be drien home even more.

[Alysse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a girl named Destiny who is also called Fresh Princess. She always lives her life with a unique style and positive attitude. when her family moves to a new house away from her friends and all she knows she is not feeling so fresh anymore. She loved to double Dutch back home and was really good at it, but in this new neighborhood their are kids that she thinks are better than her and avoids trying. After some refreshing from her dad and sister she decides to join in. Destiny is finally happy and gets herself new friends and is back to her fresh self again.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Destiny moves with her dad and sister to a new neighborhood -- it's not clear whether this is a new city or just a different part of town.

She does a good job of feeling positive about what her new room COULD be, but is unsure when faced with joining in with the neighborhood kids.

Her sister gives her a figurative push and Destiny laces up her sneakers and joins in.

Like the emphasis on falling down and getting back up.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, I can walk into the bookstore and see books with characters that look like me. I was excited to read this one before I shared it with my toddlers...my heart is overjoyed. The positive images, words that inspired and introduction to the sitcom Fresh Price will give us hours of conversation. Well done, Denene Milner.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by the Sit-Com Fresh Prince, this story follows a young girl named Destiny who has flair and style. But when she moves to a new neighborhood and becomes the "new girl" she has to figure a way to adjust and make new friends. When a double dutch jump rope, and several girls appear outside her window, the opportunity presents itself for friendship.

[Shacoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has very beautiful illustrations, but other than that nothing about it really stood out to me. It's just your typical fish out of water type of story with a little girl moving to a new place and having to learn to fit in. Also, the only connection I saw between this book and the Fresh Prince is that they both involve Philadelphia.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book, inspired by Will Smith’s “The Fresh Prince,” is about a little girl, Destiny, who is moving. She likes her new house, and thinks the kids in her new neighborhood may be fun, but she misses home. This is a great book about moving, and confidence. It doesn’t really have anything to do with “The Fresh Prince,” so don’t sorry if you aren’t familiar.

[Toni Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little story encouraging kids not to be afraid and to dream

Cute little story encouraging kids not to be afraid and to dream. Loved this! The artwork was amazing too and the diversity that was included was exceptional. The Malcolm X poster and power art on the big girls' walls...beautiful.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

LFL find. One does not need to know the Fresh Prince tv show to appreciate it. It's just about a brave and 'fresh' girl moving to a new town and, even with the support of family and welcomes from neighbors, has just a little bit of adjustment to make. But fresh air and exercise make everyone feel better, so yay!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) as inspiration for this story -- a little girl named Destiny is called Fresh Princess by her dad. When the family moves to a new house in a different city, Fresh Princess has to find her brave self and a way to fit in. She can do it! Great illustrations.

[Mychal Threets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book that highlights how much of a worry growing up is, and looking for friends. Terrific depictions! Will Smith would be extremely proud of this book. Only thing missing is the dice in the mirror.

[Marcie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why this didn't move me as much as I thought it would from last week's Book Joy Live. It is lovely but I guess just seemed more situation comedy than I am exceprienced with. Kids will probably love it though.

[Amayalacey]

Author: Denene Millner
Title: Fresh Princess
Black
Audience: Children
Theme: The theme of this book is about being confident in being independent when facing new changes in an environment.
Why I chose the book: I chose this book because it shows how to adapt to new things.