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Not All Princesses Dress in Pink

Illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

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About The Book

Celebrate girl power in this exuberant, mischievously illustrated picture book that shows little princesses that they can be whoever they want to be!

Not all princesses dress in pink.
Some play in bright red socks that stink,
blue team jerseys that don’t quite fit,
accessorized with a baseball mitt,
and a sparkly crown!


Princesses come in all kinds. Some jump in mud puddles and climb trees, play sports and make messes—all while wearing their tiaras! Not every girl has a passion for pink, but all young ladies will love this empowering affirmation of their importance and unlimited potential.

Reading Group Guide

A Reading Group Guide Guide to

Not All Princesses Dress in Pink
By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Illustrated by Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

Discussion Questions

1. Reading the title Not All Princesses Dress in Pink reveals information to the reader, even before the book is read! How do you know from the title that this book is not a traditional story about princesses? What visual clues on the cover of the book confirm this fact?

2. Talk about other princess-themed books you’ve read at home and in the classroom. How is this book similar, yet very different?

3. What does it mean to be a "princess"? Can a girl be a princess sometimes, but not all the time? Is it OK to be a girl and not want to be a princess? Why or why not?

4. Why does each princess keep a sparkly crown on her head throughout the story, even when she is doing something decidedly un-princess like?

5. Talk about "traditional girl" and "traditional boy" roles and views in our society. How does this book go against those traditional thoughts?

6. Not All Princesses Dress in Pink proves that girls can freely pursue many different interests – in fact, they can do anything they set their mind to doing. If you are a girl, how is this true in your life?

7. This book sends a strong message that everyone should be true to themselves. What does this mean? And why is this important?

8. There are many real princesses who play sports, like some of the girls in Not All Princesses Dress in Pink. Princess Anne of Great Britain has been on the British Olympic Equestrian team. Princess Charlene was an Olympic swimmer from South Africa; and even recent Princess Kate Middleton played field hockey when she was in high school. After considering all this and looking at all of the different princesses depicted in the book, which princess is most like you, or another girl you know well?

Activities

1. Host a "Girl Power" day in your classroom! Some ideas: Have your students find out more about notable successful girls today in the fields of sports and entertainment. Have them research and celebrate important women in today's world, and from the past. Invite a local female politician or businesswoman to speak to your class. Ask the girls in your class to brainstorm even more ideas!

2. Interests and activities – yours, mine, or ours? Many boys and girls share the same interests and activities. For example, both can play soccer, and both can play the violin. Make a list of all of the activities, hobbies and interests of each of your students. Then, graph or chart which interests overlap, and which do not. Are the results surprising to your students? Why or why not?

3. What are princesses really like? Have your students find out more about the real princesses in the world today, and compare them to the princesses of the past. Do these princesses only wear pink, or are they more like the princesses found in this book?

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

About The Authors

Photograph by Jason Stemple
Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen is an award-winning author who has written more than 380 books for children, including the bestseller How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? and the 1988 Caldecott Medal winner Owl Moon. She is known for her beautiful poetry, picture books, fairy tales, novels, and nonfiction, and has even been called “the Hans Christian Andersen of America” (Newsweek). She lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Visit her at JaneYolen.com.

Photograph by Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Heidi E. Y. Stemple

Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple is the author of more than thirty books for children, some of which she coauthored with her mother, Jane Yolen, including Not All Princesses Dress in Pink. Heidi lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

About The Illustrator

Anne-Sophie Lanquetin

Anne-Sophie Lanquetin has illustrated several children’s books, including Ten Monkey Jamboree by Dianne Ochiltree. She lives in Paris, France.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (June 15, 2010)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416980186
  • Ages: 4 - 8
  • Lexile ® AD610L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

* “Lanquetin’s digitally rendered illustrations depict girls of all shapes, sizes and colors; they are mischievous, exuberant, dirty, exhausted, serious and, most of all, authentic. A joyful and much-needed antidote to the precious pink pestilence that has infested picture books aimed at girls.”

-- KIRKUS, May 15, 2010, * STAR

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