A couple of years ago, I participated on the “Do we really need princesses anymore?” panel at CONvergence. I came in pro-princess (in fact, I don’t remember a lot of “anti-princess” sentiment), arguing that there are strong princess role models for children in many books. The fact is, for some reason, lots of girls are going to gravitate toward princesses. I’m not going to try to guess at all of the reasons this is so, though I think it is fair to argue that our culture encourages it. I simply believe that it’s okay to let our children dream of princesses. Let’s just make them heroic characters in their own right.
I brought a list of children’s books that feature strong princesses, and I received the thrill of my life when (1) I realized I was sitting next to an author I admired, and (2) she told people to come up and take my list, because it was a good one.
A few of my readers may have seen my list, but because I believe that many have not, I am sharing it here. All of these books are worth reading, and I’ve indicated my particular favorites. The list is slightly updated from the original list I shared at CONvergence.
Strong Princesses in Literature for the Young, the Young-at-Heart, and Their Families
Picture books
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamliton – Although in many ways very pink, sparkly, and girly, this fairy-princess obsessed girl also contradicts others’ views of fairy princesses.
The Princess and the Pig by Jonathan Emmett – An infant princess and piglet are accidentally swapped, and the princess is raised in poverty by loving parents.
The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke – A princess learns to be a knight and wins her own hand in marriage in a tournament.
Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke – Bored of being a princess, Isabella rebels. She is eventually banished to the pigsty, where she is very happy.
Princess Grace by Mary Hoffman – A princess-obsessed girl redefines princesses – for herself and her community.
Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson – Contrasts Cinderella, pitiful, helpless, and shallow, with Cinder Edna, practical, fun, and capable. Their princes are very different, too! (One of my favorites)
Princesses Are Not Quitters! By Kate Lum – Three princesses decide to be servants for a day. After their hard day, they make life easier on their servants… and they continue to do many of the chores.
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch – A dragon burns down Elizabeth’s castle (also destroying her clothes) and carries off her betrothed, Prince Ronald. Wearing a paper bag, she rescues Ronald, only to discover he’s not worth the trouble. (Another favorite)
Sleeping Bobby by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne – A gender-neutral, otherwise very faithful retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Prince Bob is Sleeping Beauty, gifted with kindness, courage and modesty, “qualities that anyone might wish for and admire.” He is rescued by an unnamed princess who shares his virtues. (Also one of my favorites)
Part-time Princess by Deborah Underwood – An ordinary girl turns into a princess at night. In frilly dresses, she regularly saves her kingdom from disaster. (Yet another favorite)
Easy readers
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale – A perfect princess and her supposed unicorn are secretly a monster-fighting duo. Since I first put it on this list, Hale and Hale have added more books to the series: The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party and The Princess in Black and the Hungry Bunny Horde.
Comic Books and Graphic Novels
Princeless by Jeremy Whitley – This series has a diverse cast of characters and some very funny moments (my favorite bit occurs early in the series, when a female is trying to choose armor). It now includes a spin-off series, Raven: The Pirate Princess. I have one caveat: Someone once said to me, “I wish all of the men [in the series] weren’t evil.” At the time, I didn’t agree that the books were anti-male, but having read a couple of Raven volumes, I understand what that person meant. Some people reject feminism because they think that feminists believe all men are awful. I strongly disagree with that view of feminism, but Whitley manages to reinforce the stereotype in a scene in which Raven selects her crew.
Rapunzel’s Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale – Rapunzel in a Weird West universe
Wonder Woman – Need I say more? I especially enjoy the first six volumes of the New 52 Wonder Woman series (Blood, Guts, Iron, War, Flesh, and Bones).
Books for Older Children and Teens
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson – The princess is strong, but the author’s attempt to write a body-positive story hasn’t gone over well with some people. There are more books in the series, but I haven’t read them.
The Goose Girl and The Princess Academy series by Shannon Hale – All of these books feature strong female characters, including princesses. There is a heavy emphasis on romance.
Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede – Funny book featuring a princess who is definitely a role model. There are more books in the series, but I haven’t read them all. (A favorite)