Not Every Princess

by Jeffrey Bone, Lisa Bone, Valeria Docampo (Illustrator)

A Top Ten Title, 2015 American Library Association Rainbow List

Not Every Princess takes readers on a journey that gently questions the rigid construction of gender roles.

Not Every Princess  inspires readers to access their imaginations and challenge societal expectations. It intends to encourage all of those princesses and pirates who did not fall into a life of castles and boats that they too are no less than what they dream to be. Also included is a Note to Parents and Caregivers filled with useful advice and strategies to help children imagine, play, and ultimately envision and inspire themselves beyond the limited roles and expectations that gender stereotypes create.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Gender, Poetry, LGBT, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so vital to have on your shelf or classroom! It breaks gender stereotypes, and lets children know that it is perfectly normal to go against them and be who you really are. It encourages its readers to be who they want to be and it has an important message to be fearless. Which is important because you must teach your students to be risk takers, because they never know what will happen unless they try. It as well encourages the reader to imagine what they could be, against everyone else general expectations of them. Whether that is if there is a boy who wants to be a fairy, ballerina, cheerleader or for a girl who wants to be a superhero, football player, or wrestler. It teachers kids to just be their genuine self, no matter what anyone else says or thinks about them.

[Carol Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little poem with really beautiful illustrations... a gentle look at gender roles and also the power of imagination. Could be good for a storytime about art, creativity, imagination, what we want to be... etc.

[SaraKat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the illustrations. Beautiful! The story was okay. The messaged put forth in the author's note to parents is kind of lost on kids, I think.

[Heidi Pepin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the concept and the pictures are beautiful. The story itself is great, teaching all of us not to be limited by gender or what you could do, but to dream big and outside the box and decide what you can do with yourself and your aspirations. The story itself though definitely needs some parental input - my 5 year old liked the story but needed me to help explain what the intention of the story is and that it means that you can be whatever you want without boundaries or limitations of any kind.

[Jessica Pinkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
Not Every Princess is a short sweet book that covers different activities that young readers may enjoy. It has a hidden message set against roles set up by society that aren't always seen as true. Read to your younger students to send the message that it's okay for little boys to like dress up or playing with dolls or dancing, and its okay for little girls to play football, climb trees, and get their hands dirty. As long as you're happy and using your imagination, that's all that matters.

Activity
Reflect on the pictures and words in this book. Ask what they think about the pictures, what may be different than what is considered "normal". Then have them consider different activities they like to do and then ask if they believe it's considered a "boy" or "girl" activity. After they're done, explain to them why it doesn't matter if it's labeled as a "boy" or "girl" activity as long as they're using their imaginations, having fun, and being themselves.

Bone, J., Bone, L., & Docampo, V. (2014). Not every princess. Washington, DC: Magination.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. It challenged stereotypes and gender roles, helping children realise that we do not have to obey to the societal conformity. It introduced characters, who indirectly said that anyone can do whatever they want to do. Not all of us are the same and that of course is to be expected and accepted.

I had to work on this book for a project, and I have to admit, not everyone enjoyed it as much. Many pointed out that they wouldn’t get it for their sons, yet this is exactly what this book is about. Breaking stereotypes, letting kids decide for themselves what they want to do, offer them options, show them that everything is possible as long as they realise they have everything they need to make their own story.

The pictures are fun and call to the young readers, presenting them with different scenarios and children of any race and gender driving the point of the book home. Everyone is allowed to choose to be whatever they want.

Not all knights fight dragons,
Some seek friends instead
Singing them lullabies
And tucking them in bed.

[JordanD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be wonderful for kids Kindergarten through Third Grade. This book opens the door for students to imagine themselves becoming whatever their hearts desire is. It gives students the idea that they do not need to become something that is gender fitting when they get older, they can be and work wherever they want. It overcomes gender inequality or stereotypes and shows students their possibilities are endless. I would love to use this book before my students do a writing assignment called My Future is so Bright where they write about what they want to be when they get older and why.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and imaginative story, with an excellent author’s note. I especially appreciate how this book is not didactic but leaves room for children to imagine the world, the roles they want to play.

In their authors’ note to parents and caregivers, they write, “The purpose of this book is to help children envision lives for themselves beyond stereotypical gender roles and expectations. Although your children are not settling on career paths before even starting preschool, encourage them as early as possible to listen to their own thoughts and feelings – and not to rely on mass media – for their idea of who they are and what they can achieve.“

[Laura De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awards: Rainbow Project Book List 2015

Grade Levels: Pre-K to 3rd

Original Summary: This was a book about all the different types of people there are in the world. It talks about the importance it is to also be yourself. Others should not influence this part of you.

Original Review: This is the perfect book to teach children that it is ok to be themselves. They should never let other influence any part of them. Being unique is the best thing there is.

In-Class Uses: Teachers can have children draw pictures of themselves, or they could have them write sentences about what makes them unique.

[Xaviera Hanif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for young children who want to act different than their "specific gender." It teaches kids that they can be anybody they want to be, they can do any type of activity they want, and no matter what they pick they should be able to do it freely without being judged! The illustrations are great and pictures in children's book are a very big part of keeping a child's attention! I highly recommend this to all parents to purchase this for some books at home and also teachers should have this book in their classroom!

[Teaghan Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story changes the narrative on what a “princess” should be like. It states that all princess are not the same and you do not need to be a certain way to be able to be something special. I love the meaning behind this book and the illustrations are very nice. The end of the book has a “note to parents and care givers” that discusses importance of letting children’s imagination take over and allowing children to envision their lives beyond stereotypical gender roles/expectations. I think this story is a great addition to the classroom.

[AgnesO · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Not every princess lives in a castle. Not every fairy has wings.”

This imaginative and inspirational book allows the reader to envision a reality that can reach beyond the restraints of gender-stereotypical expectations. The authors create an original poem which depicts diversity through the unconventional adventures of different characters. This is a great read-aloud choice for grades K-3 with a powerful theme of moving beyond stereotypes and stipulated gender roles.

Agnes

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book challenges stereotypes and gender roles. The pictures and poetic words complement each other beautifully—for example, one page says, “…not every bird sings” and shows a picture of girls playing soccer, as if implying that not every girl sings—some play soccer! The pictures are light and bright, and the words flow gently off the tongue, allowing for limitless imagination of what a child could do and be.
Review by Michaela George

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not every pirate sails a ship - some sail the skies on kites.
Not every superhero flies through the sky - some climb ladders to rescue kittens.
Not every knight slays dragons - some tame them and make friends.

Rhyming text and imaginative pictures; the book features both genders and encourages them to use their imagination, discover their strengths, and look beyond typical gender stereotypes or literary tropes.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average book — pictures are fine, text a bit kludgy with very predictable and heavy rhymes. It also comes with a very sincere lecture about gender roles and following your dreams but that is easily ignored and seems only distantly related to the book.

It would probably pass unremarked but I can imagine some good conversations — why couldn’t a mermaid swim? Is a clumsy ballerina still a ballerina? Where does a role cross into an identity?

[Skyler Norton]

This book points out that not every princess lives in a castle, not every pirate sails ships, and not all superheroes fly. The authors open up the minds of young ones that they can be anything they want to be. The author also suggests steps for parents to take to encourage their children to move beyond gender stereotypes and be who they want to be. I think this needs to be talked about more and I want to be an advocate for this in my classroom.

[Camille Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Every Princess is a very colorful book and great book for children to read. The pages are so vivid with the pictures and also the text makes the child reading/listening to the book picture themselves as a character in the book. I love how the book allows the children to think outside the box and doesn’t limit the activities the children can do based off their genders.

[Carlie Raybuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a perfect book for a classroom library. It talks about gender stereotypes and teaches children its okay to be who you want to be. As a future teacher, I want to teach my students to be risk takers and its okay to be whoever you want to be and not be told who to be. Whether a girl wants to be a football player or a boy wants to be a ballet dancer. It does not matter!

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swirling Tusa-esque illustrations feature fearsome female pirates and sweet male helpers. Simple text is not a direct message about gender as some books, like What Riley Wore, but there is an extensive Note to Parents and Caregivers at the end which talks specifically to challenging gender stereotypes to help children "grow into the person of their choosing." Hallelujah.

[Ayren Daniels]

Works to break stereotypes. Has a diverse set of characters with multiple genders and ethnicities depicted. Bright colorful and poetic. Has a page in the back for parents and caregivers about how to support children with challenging stereotypes and gender roles so that they can grow into a person of their own choosing.

[Tess Armel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to use to emphasize that all people, but especially girls can be anything they want to be. Students can try on different personas to see what fits.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one is meant to help kids think outside gender stereotypes.

[Kenson and kirra · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn't bad for a girl book

[Amanda Hughes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An essential book for home or the classroom! This is a great story that gently introduces gender roles and stereotypes, with the underlying message that we don't have to conform to them.

[Angie Munoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, amazing book! It breaks stereotypes and teaches students that it is okay to go against norms. Loved it.

[BreAnna (Bre'sBooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brenna Skirata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, rhyming about breaking stereotypes

[Jillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this and the execution is pretty good. I just wish it wasn't mostly all white characters and the only Asian ones represented with stereotypically slanted eyes. Sigh...

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I prefer my morals wrapped in narrative

[Heather McC · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring book for young and old alike, this children's book challenges readers to stand up to the status quo and forge their own path, even when they are the first ones to do so.