你是公主吗? (Are YOU a Princess?) (Are You Series

by Heidi Zhang, Gin Tran (Illustrator)

Are YOU a Princess? 👑✨

In the City of Flowers and Sunshine (inspired by the multicultural vibrance of Los Angeles), young Sophie, a Chinese-American girl, dreams of becoming a princess. To make her dream come true, she starts selling boba drinks to buy the perfect dress, believing it will make her royal. But does a dress truly define a princess?

🌟 A Heartwarming Story of Kindness & True Nobility 🌟

As Sophie faces challenges that test her determination and empathy, she discovers that true royalty comes not from appearances, but from within.

Why Kids Will Love This Book:
✔ A fun and inspiring entrepreneurial journey
✔ A touching lesson in selflessness and compassion
✔ A celebration of cultural and culinary diversity

Perfect for parents and educators looking for a story that inspires young minds to look beyond material desires and cultivate kindness, acceptance, resilience, and creative thinking.

This book is also available in Simplified Chinese with Pinyin, Traditional Chinese with Pinyin, and Spanish.

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Heidi Zhang is the award-winning author of ARE YOU A PRINCESS?, which debuted as the #1 New Release in Children’s Multiculturalism and Tolerance books on Amazon and received the Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Award. She is a Chinese American working mom based in Los Angeles, also known as the “City of Flowers and Sunshine” or “The Big Orange." With a career rooted in finance, she never imagined venturing into the world of children’s literature—until one night, when her young daughter, Sophie, posed a simple yet profound question: “How do you become a princess?” This moment sparked inspiration for the Are YOU Series, which Heidi hopes will encourage children to be virtuous global citizens who can appreciate diversity through our shared humanity and improve the community and environment around them. You can follow @MeltingPotBooks on Instagram and Facebook.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book, other than the idea of pierogis with saurekraut. Ick. Love pierogis with potatoes and cheese, but I hate saurekraut.

Just couldn't help thinking exactly how expensive was that dress? She returned it and was able to use that money to buy her neighbor a wheelchair.

Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book.

[Sheri Poe-Pape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are You a Princess is an adorable children's book that proves that if a child really wishes hard enough and works hard at it, they can have their dream come true. A great read with beautiful illustrations, this book will be sure to be a hit with any little princess wannabe!

[Brandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great Storyline

This was an absolutely adorable story of a girl who wanted so much to be a princess (which she already was). I had tears as I read through to the last page.
Definitely a feel good story.

[Beau Spearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story about kindness and what really matters

This was a really sweet story with a great message for kids. My niece and I enjoyed reading about Sophie and how she learns that being a princess isn’t about having a fancy dress but about kindness and how you treat others. The illustrations are bright and fun, and the story opens the door for good conversations with kids. A lovely book for young readers.

[Cindy Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.














We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.



















We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.













We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.











My granddaughters loved this little picture book!


We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.



















We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.



















We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.



















We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.









We loved reading this with our granddaughters. Excellent message about thinking about others needs
before your wants. The characters are so cute with colorful illustrations which make this a lovely storybook.

[Rachel S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with a meaningful message that stuck out to my seven year old. I was interested to read this book with my daughter because she certainly loves all things royal. I've been wanting to share more altruistic messages with her and this book was a great way to do it! The book follows a little girl and her experiences with seeing other kids get what they want, seeing their poor attitude and the main little girl's experiences with the community and her determined actions.

What I liked: My daughter got the message and purpose of the book! I asked her afterward what she thought and I was pleased to hear she understood that helping others meant more than material things. Although, my daughter said she wished the little girl got the material thing she wanted too...so we still have room for growth. Overall, it was a great conversation starter and definitely pointed out a great message about generosity and what truly matters.

Things to note: There were instances in the book of other kids not saying nice things to each other. Then, the little girl main character defended a fellow student and brought a lesson to the story. I paused my reading to re-affirm to my child that what the other children said was not nice and we don't make fun of people to make the point clear.

Rating: 4 stars
Themes: generosity, thinking of others, materialism
Content warning: None, however it may start a conversation about teasing and how we treat others
Recommend: Yes!

If you're looking for a lesson-teaching book for your princess-lover, this is a great pick!

[keira anne with an e · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please note: I was provided this copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)

This was such a sweet little picture book about a young girl who wants to be a princess. While there was no Christian faith content in this book (because I’m a Christian, I definitely noticed a lot of themes that I thought could teach some great Biblical lessons, so maybe those would make an interesting conversation for parents and daughters), it was still a very positive message about the things that matter in life, and what really makes someone a princess.
Our main girl, Sophie, was such a wonderful character. I loved the fact that she stood up for her friends when they were dealing with prejudice from other kids, and she overcame obstacles to reach her goals. And that ending… oh, it was so sweet! Honestly, I couldn’t imagine a better way to wrap this story up.
The art style was adorable, and I loved watching as the story played out. The diversity in characters and the different personalities were really cute to see. Honestly, I would recommend this book to any young girl who ever dreamed of being a princess.
The content in this book was minimal– some bullying and prejudice, but overall, it was handled very well. I loved the way the story unfolded, and how the characters learned so much.
I would definitely recommend this book to young readers, princesses, or lovers of boba tea!

EMOJI REVIEW!
🧸 picture book
🏠 cultural diversity representation
👑 a story for all princesses
🧋 boba tea!!!
❤ great compassion and friendship

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Asian American parent, I am always on the lookout for books that can resonate with my kids and reflect our cultural background. This book is a delightful addition to our collection, making it a perfect pick for AANHPI Heritage Month in May too.

This charming story follows Sophie, a young girl with dreams of becoming a princess. Inspired by a beautiful dress she sees in a shop window, she starts selling boba next to her mom's jiaozi truck to save up for it. However, when her loyal customer, Abuelita Lola, faces some challenges, Sophie makes a selfless choice that teaches her an important lesson about true nobility.

I felt that the book beautifully captured the multicultural essence of Los Angeles, blending themes of entrepreneurial spirit, culinary diversity, and compassion. I love how it encourages kids to look beyond material desires and appreciate the richness of diversity, a lesson that my kids will definitely take from this book. The illustrations are stunning and enhance the storytelling experience. I also really love the reading comprehension questions at the end!

Overall, this was such a delightful read with a powerful message that I’m happy to have in our home library.

[Shel Holtmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"Are YOU a Princess?" is a sweet and uplifting story about Sophie, a young Chinese-American girl who dreams of becoming a princess. Determined to make it happen, she begins selling boba drinks to save up for the perfect dress, only to discover that being a princess isn’t about what you wear, but about the kindness you carry within.

I read this book with my daughters, and we all enjoyed it together. They were especially drawn to the colorful details of Sophie’s world and loved the fun touches like the boba drinks. I appreciated the way the story weaves in cultural diversity while still sharing a universal message—that true royalty is found in compassion, empathy, and resilience.

The illustrations are bright and engaging, bringing Sophie’s journey to life in a way that is both playful and heartfelt. As a parent, I loved how the book opened up opportunities to talk about what it really means to be “royal” and how our actions toward others define who we are.

Overall, "Are YOU a Princess?" is a charming and meaningful read that combines creativity, culture, and character in a way children will love and parents will value. It’s one we’ll be revisiting often.

[Joey-Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Melting Pot Books / Booksgosocial and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Sophie wants a princess dress just like her best friends have, but they are expensive. She decides to set up a Boba stall next to her mama’s van and Abuelita Lola’s fruit stall. She’s so excited when she has the money, but soon she realises that Abuelita Lola is missing and chooses to use her money for something better.

This was honestly so beautiful, it was rich with different cultures, so diverse, I also liked how friendly everyone was to each other. From sharing the differences in the food they ate, to the money and lifestyles they each have, I really liked that it shared each persons differences in a positive way.

Sophie was so precious, she knew her mama couldn’t buy her the dress she wanted, so she earns it herself knowing that it’s exactly what she sees her mama do daily. I loved how she spotted similarity to each of the children’s meals and how lovely and caring she was for Abuelita Lola. A really happy wonderful story, a perfect read with young children, it’s got a sweet message and a sweet story, with beautiful illustrations on each page.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Are YOU a Princess?: An inspiring children's book about kindness and true nobility

Writer: Heidi Zhang
Publisher: BooksGoSocial

Publishing Date: 1. April 2025, already available to buy!!!

It is a beautiful story full of wonders.😍

Sophie wants to buy a princess dress off the shop, just like her friends. But her mother is already working really hard to make the bread money. So she tells her daughter to wait for the future. Therefore, Sophia thinks about what she can do to get the dress sooner, and comes up with opening a beverage stand on the street which is the one her mother sells jiaozis.

Things does not go as planned initially, but Sophia figures them all out! 🤩

I absolutely loved the book. How gorgeously illustrated it was, and how well-behaved Sophia was. She did what most adults wouldn't do. She worked by choice to earn her wishes. I relate to Sophia, as I have seen many friends do the same at young ages.

I hope no child would need to work, in the future. Let's all work very hard to build the future!!✨️🥹

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is every little girl who wants something beautiful. She works for what she wants but is also the very embodiment of kindness which is what sets her apart and makes her special. Wonderful!
The illustrations by Gin Tran are simple, brightly colored, and convey more than the words do.
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof on PDF from BooksGoSocial via NetGalley. **** review #NetGalley
#AreYOUaPrincess by Heidi Zhang and Gin Tran @meltingpotbooks @booksgosocialgroup
#PictureBook #DiverseBooksForKids #TeachingThroughStories #KidsBooksOnDiversity #kidlit #BobaBooks #PrincessBooks #AAPIBooks #BooksThatTeach, #InclusiveKidLit #KindnessForKids #EmpathyForKids #AsianAmericanStories #representationmatters #aapiauthors #MindfulParenting #kidlit #multiculturalbooksforkids @childrensbookcouncil #ReadToYourKids #EmpathyMatters

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much!!! "Are YOU a Princess?" is the modern fairytale - it takes modern problems, diversity, and solutions to make a truly magical story that will undoubtedly inspire so many little ones out there. I absolutely admire Sophie's kindness, and I think that it is so important for kids to see these kinds of characters in the books that they read, because it will help them build crucial skills (such as empathy) that will serve them later in life.

Additionally, the way that this book was written was perfect in every way. It was fun, lighthearted, and touching. I can't exactly put it into words, but the author has a special way of allowing this story to really connect with readers.

Lastly, the illustrations were absolutely phenomenal! One thing that especially struck me was the way that the dresses were drawn. BEAUTIFUL!!!

Literally everything about this book blew me away, so bravo!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story, but one suitably bursting with good intentions. Sophie can see the common things we all share, as well as our differences – others at her school are less forthcoming with manners and politeness and so on. But her heart is set on a grand princess dress, like the posh stuck-ups at school wear – so she works hard with a boba tea stand to earn the money for it. Then comes bad news, but not something that will affect her and her dress, surely?

Well it will if she is as generous and charitable as this makes out. It is a little OTT and unrealistic in that regard, but it is a warm-hearted piece bursting with colour, taking the ethnicity of the characters and the Hollywoodesque setting and making everything a positive element to the book. It may be a touch too simple and obvious to demand many re-reads, but it is a strong four stars, at least on the first time round.

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly down-to-earth story, despite the fairy-tale title.
It’s about a girl being raised by a hardworking single mother who runs a food truck - no castles or gowns here, just the real-life lessons of resilience, kindness, and understanding what it means to help others.

I appreciated the message and the heart behind the story. However, the writing felt a bit amateurish, and certain scenes (like the one at school lunch) seemed forced or overly pointed, as if trying to underline social or cultural contrasts in a way that didn’t fully work.

It feels like a debut effort, especially with the wide multilingual release, and I truly wish the author success and inspiration in future projects - there’s heart here, but the story structure could benefit from more polish and depth.

ARC from NetGalley for the honest review.

[Melissa Blizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are YOU a Princess is a wonderful children's picture book about a young girl who embarks upon the quest to become a princess. She admires her friends who dress up in beautiful dresses from Lacy's and speaks with them at school about the magnificent lunches either made for them or brought to school after being purchased at fancy restaurants. With lovingly inspired and created illustrations and a charming story about the personal quest of a special character who longs to look like and become a princess, Are YOU a Princess is a truly special story book which will surely promote literacy among young readers. Young girls will adore reading this book and learning that while all girls can become princesses, sometimes it is even better to become a wonderful friend.

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story with several different plots, which may make for some confusion to some readers. The story otherwise somewhat uses these various elements to weave together a story in which like various dumplings (bao, ravioli, pierogo, jiaozi), people are the same on the inside although not physically the same. And also at the same time it is what is on the iinside that defines you and not the clothes or airs you put on.

The book is culturally diverse so readers may need help with some of the words they come across whether it is frutera or abuelita or even sauerkraut. At the same time the text is a bit heavy so toddlers will probably find the book a bit too long.

Mostly illustrated in full page illustrations that are brightly colored, detailed and cartoonish in a cut way.

[Bookish Mombie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read to start discussions about diversity, problem-solving, and community. Sophie learns about foods she is not familiar with while eating lunch at school with her friends. This motivates her to open a food stand in order to earn money for a princess dress her mama cannot afford. She earns the money and buys herself a princess dress. But, she decides to return the dress in order to use the money to help a community member in need. She feels like a princess, even without the dress. The townspeople call her a princess because her actions are kind. The book has 5 questions at the end to help your kiddo identify these themes and to help you start a meaningful discussion.

Thank you to author Heidi Zhang for sending me a free electronic copy of this book. I decided to review it here. I also purchased my own copy.

[Rosemarie - Feeling Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Heidi Zhang for giving me a digital copy of “Are YOU a Princess?” in exchange for a review.

The illustrations are fantastic! Each page is so vibrant and Sophie is just the cutest. I love the different lessons taught in this book - there are so many in such a small book but it isn’t overwhelming for a child. As a mother with a biracial child, I also appreciate the different cultures showcased within the story.

The book also has comprehension questions at the end - a great way to have an open dialogue with the readers. Overall a simple yet effective lesson for children.

[Bookish2theMax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for giving me an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was such a cute book about a little girl who dreams of being a princess. She really wants a fancy princess dress from Lacy’s, but her family can’t afford it so she opens up a boba stand to raise money to buy herself the dress. She runs the stand while standing up to bullying in her class and helping out an elderly lady in her community. This book will teach kids the importance of how you’re on the inside and not the outside is what really matters and what really counts is being kind. This was an amazing book!

[Kanwarpal Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute little book is the story of a girl who wants to buy a princess dress but due to the financial crunch her mother is not able to get it.

She holds up something to do it on her own to fulfill her wish of the dress but as soon as she gets enough of it , she realised that the first support that came from a lady of her work is not doing well she gave up her dream for the act of kindness for someone whose life can change with that act and at such tender age she is smart and kind towards people and that make her the real princess not just a dress that can make any difference but what's in heart that's matters..

[Precious Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was sweet and kept me entertained. I was sad about Sophie giving up her dress, after she worked for something she wanted. But I definitely understand the message of her not needing a materialistic things to be actually be a princess. I did enjoy her appreciating what her family does for her with the dumplings situation.

Thank you NetGalley & Heidi Zhang for the opportunity to read this story.

[R.F. Whong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I love unwinding with children’s books. In this book, the author deftly weaves rich cultures and backgrounds into Sophie’s experience. It highlights the importance of diversity, community, and our connections. The illustrations are beautiful, like in other children’s books.

I would have preferred a larger font, but that minor quibble didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Story of Hard Work and Kindness

This story brought a tear to my eye! In it, a little girl first wants a princess dress, but her mom can’t afford it. She experiences bullying at school, so she starts a boba stand. When she earns money from her boba she is so excited that she can finally buy the dress she wanted, but then she learns someone needs the money more than her…does she decide to help or spend the money on herself?

[Curtis Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Be A Princess

This book is about a girl who has a desire to be a “princess” just like her schoolmates wearing princess dresses. She decides to set up a small business to finance the purchase of a dress but realizes there are more important things to do with the money she earned. This book promotes financial literacy, diversity, inclusion, humility and many other qualities. An awesome read for kids!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was such a lovely story to read! The story was well written and it was easy to read and understand. The illustrations in the book were just wonderful, they were nice, bright and colourful and they brought the story to life too - this was a great story and I loved the meanings. It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended and I loved my visit to the City of Flowers and Sunshine!

[Ayelen Bravo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story with a powerful message

“Are YOU a Princess?” is a heartwarming story filled with important lessons about kindness, diversity, and the power of finding common ground. The characters are beautifully diverse, and the illustrations are absolutely stunning. I loved this book from start to finish and can’t wait to read more from author Heidi Zhang!

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️🩷👑Magnificent

Little Sophie was looking at the beautiful princess dresses in the window of the beautiful store.

Ah! If only she could have a princess dress...

********

A lovely children's story about friendship, kindness, hard work, sharing, and self-sacrifice.

Beautiful drawings with a totally adorable main character.

A must-read!

[Moon Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a sweet child named Sophie who longs to buy a pretty princess dress. She soon realizes that dresses alone don't make one a prince or princess. It is in being kind and selfless that makes one a true princess.

This book with its cute illustrations gives the message in being kind to others.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review. I really liked this story! I liked the many messages about kindness, working hard for something you want, and not caring what others think.

My 5 year old said “I liked that she did something kind. It was good and I liked it.”