My Papa is a Princess

by Doug Cenko

Cuddle up with Dad for this sweet book about a father as seen through his daughter’s eyes. When Papa braids her hair, he’s a hairdresser; when he hangs her drawings on the wall, he’s an art collector. But no matter what happens, he is always her papa, and that’s the most important thing of all!

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, LGBT

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2018

About the author

Doug Cenko is an author/illustrator living in Chicago, IL. He has worked at an animation studio, a live special effects company and design agencies, but illustration is what he truly loves to do. When he's not drawing, you can find him... or better yet, not find him... mastering the art of hide-and-seek with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Janna C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter LOVES this super fun book. What's even better, is that I LOVE it too! Is he a fabulous race car driver or an astronaut?! The whole book is a sneak peak on how a kid could view their super-hero-like dad juxtaposed with the reality that is just as charming and fun. It's a perfect fit for an awesome Dad to read.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who tries to ban this is clearly reacting to the cover instead of evaluating the content and earns no credibility in their complaints. Darling book. *Every* child deserves a parent this loving & supportive.

[Urbandale Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This board/picture book was a wonderful discovery for our family. A brief story of a girl's imagination and love for her dad or "papa." Showcasing the many different, fluid "roles" parents and caregivers take on, it just goes to show we are not stuck with any one, single role.

[Kareena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, so cute! There's not a lot of plot, but there are fun illustrations and the message is amazing. Works as a gathering book for storytime.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book about a young girl and her special play time with papa.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is My Papa Is A Princess by Doug Cenko, a heartwarming look at the many things a father can be.

The reader is introduced to the papa-daughter duo by the unnamed child narrator: “My Papa is…”. He’s a racecar driver, an art collector, a hair stylist, a master chef. Each example is shown in the fantastical image through his child’s eyes followed by the reality – playing with toy cars on the floor, admiring a collection of crayon drawings, braiding his child’s pigtails, and cooking a meal – all as a pair. But the best thing Papa is? He’s Papa!

This was wonderful! I loved the mixture of father-child (the youngster appears to be a little girl, but this is subtly never defined) activities: some are masculine, some are feminine, and both characters are clearly enjoying their time together regardless. The illustrations are warm and loving, with both versions of the various “jobs” being a treat to compare. The text is simple and sweet, making for a quick yet easily repeated read. And clearly, JJ was a fan. This is a fantastic story for daddies and their own little bookworms to share, and we loved it. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[MERRITT STEINBACH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me all teary. It's really sweet. The drawings are fun too. I like that it only has a few words on each page and is an easy bedtime read, unlike some bedtime books that go on and on and on and on - lol. Shorter books rule because you can always read a second book, but never can you finish one book a second night!!! Bravo. I might like this as much as Click Clack Moo.

And no, it is not a children's guide to adult princesses!!! OMG already! This book is about how dad is everything to his daughter, like a fireman when the grill starts on fire and yes a princess when it's tea time. Y'all can figure out how to tell that other story all on your own - lol.

For the record, I know the author personally, which is why I came here to show support and why you won't see me rating all sorts of other books - I'm not much of a reader. Yet, I've found I can't put a good book down and as far as I'm concerned, this one is a bit of a masterpiece. It's likely I've read more books to my daughter than I've read to myself and, most kids books are, unfortunately, either a chore or just sort of stupid. This one is truly special and a breath of fresh air for us dads who love our kids, but not so much the bedtimes that go on forever. Brilliant. Bravo Doug.

[Chris Hatting · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for my brother and his daughters. They loved it when he reads it to them. It shows all the ways he loves being around his girls. Great book!!!!!!!

[Margaret Boling · Rating 5 out of 5]

7/4/2019 ~ Another book demonstrating a fabulous imagination (see the first panel of each pair of pages describing the girl's papa). This is also a joyful, interesting text for discussing our various identities and affinity groups (see, for example, Sara K. Ahmed's book Being the Change).

[Nicole Darrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute picture book for dad/daughter!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn near five stars. Absolutely loveable story about father-daughter play time. I loled hard on the hide-and-seek page. I like that the activities in the story are accessible to most families like being cardboard box astronauts and making pancakes instead of pricey electronics and blow torched creme brulee. These are do-able things that kids can relate to already or can probably con their dads into doing. It warmed my heart.

And I loved the illustration style!

And Mama is a Mechanic comes out in April 2019. You can bet it'll be in my purchasing cart.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy I finally got to read My Papa is a Princess by Doug Cenko. I am honored to participate in an illustrators group with him. I loved the cover and now, I love the story. This simple book celebrates father-daughter relationships. It also reminds us that parents are so much more than parents, and kids can be anything they want to be. I would give this book to every father who has a duaghter.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Infant-Preschool
Family: Dad and daughter

This dad has quite the knack for creative play as he and his daughter use their imaginations to go anywhere and be anything. Although the child looks like a 32-year-old woman on the first page, the illustrations excel at mirroring imagination with reality. This will be an excellent read-aloud at dad storytimes everywhere.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. A little girl loves her dad and all the things he is for her. I enjoyed how thoughtful the artwork was. On the one page, you would have the bigness, the intricate way a child sees the world and her dad, and on the other side maybe a little more realistic vision of the scene. 😉 The firefighting grill scene was definitely my favorite. 😁 So sweet. ❤️

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be about something else and I was super excited to read it. Regardless of what it actually ended up being, it was still a pretty cute story about fatherhood as seen through the eyes of a child.

[Monica C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally adorable. Can not wait to read it to my daughter.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pleasant homage to father just in time for Father’s Day. Adorable illustrations highlight dad’s many roles. It is a cleverly written, ienjoyable book.

[Alex Richey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is soooo sweet my heart melted! <3

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY PAPA IS A PRINCESS depicts a dad as seen through his daughter's eyes. Endearing illustrations show both how dad really looks and how his daughter views him. Sweet gift for new dads!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will make a wonderful book for a storytime on families or dads.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely darling picture book of a girl's imagination and love for her "papa." Also, it goes to show the many different, fluid "roles" we all play and that we are not stuck any one, single role.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any grown up who plays with their kids is also a SUPERHERO so add a cape to that crown Papa!

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love dads having active relationships with their children. So heartwarming!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pro-non-gender-conforming. Sweet and wonderful look at how a caregiver is perceived by their child.

[Anne Lutomia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting read about a father daughter relationship.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked out this book for my husband and daughter to read together. I love it and it is adorable. Positive story about a dad doing stuff with his daughter and being what she needs him to be.

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dads are awesome in the eyes of their children

[Sara Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story with great illustrations. This describes the Joy a child has about her father. It's a joy to read and share.

[Tracy Mabry]

So sweet!

[SamSamSam · Rating 5 out of 5]

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