Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? [Hardcover]

Carmela LaVigna Coyle (Author), Mike Gordon (Author), Carl Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Do Princesses...

Every inquisitive little girl wonders what it is really like to be a genuine princess. At the heart of Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? lives an energetic, spirited, and contemporary child who has lots of important questions for her mom. Do princesses ride tricycles, climb trees, do chores, or have to eat the crusts of their bread? The mother's voice is timelessly reassuring as she answers her daughter's questions and advises her that being like a princess has to do with what we are on the inside. An illustrated picture frame surrounds a mirror at the end of the book which answers the little girl's most important question. This heart-warming book offers a gentle lesson about self-acceptance, and will inspire children to follow their dreams and leave their own mark on the world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-This book may just fit the bill for some young royal wanna-bes; however, if they prefer their princess to be fighting off witches or saved from fierce dragons, they may be disappointed by the lack of plot elements. In a rhyming text, a little girl asks her mother various questions about princesses. She wants to know if they play in the sand and dirt, wear jeans and a messy old shirt, do chores, follow rules, eat vegetables, snort as they laugh, etc. Each spread has a one-line question facing the mother's one-line response. Gordon's whimsical paintings in pleasant pastel shades are a good match for the funny text. At the end, the child asks, "-do princesses seem at all like me?" She is told to "Look inside yourself and see-." The final page features a mirror with the message, "A princess is a place in your heart." This is as sweet as a little candy heart, but not a must-purchase.
Susannah Price, Boise Public Library, ID
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

This book may just fit the bill for some young royal wanna-bes; however, if they prefer their princess to be fighting off witches or saved from fierce dragons, they may be disappointed by the lack of plot elements. In a rhyming text, a little girl asks her mother various questions about princesses. She wants to know if they play in the sand and dirt, wear jeans and a messy old shirt, do chores, follow rules, eat vegetables, snort as they laugh, etc. Each spread has a one-line question facing the mother's one-line response. Gordon's whimsical paintings in pleasant pastel shades are a good match for the funny text. At the end, the child asks, "-do princesses seem at all like me?" She is told to "Look inside yourself and see-." The final page features a mirror with the message, "A princess is a place in your heart." This is as sweet as a little candy heart, but not a must-purchase. -- School Library Journal, Susannah Price, Boise Public Library, ID Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Publishing Llc (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873588282
• ISBN-13: 978-0873588287
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 10.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Royalty
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
  • #46 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life > Parents

More About the Author

After a 2 month stint in Tulsa OK, (just long enough to be born,) author Carmela LaVigna Coyle, moved with her family back to NY. Her award-winning Fashion Illustrator father found work in Buffalo where they settled for a while. Shortly after turning eight, her family moved out west to Colorado where she now lives with her husband, two children and dog.

Although Carmela has a degree in Elementary Education with minor in Fine Art, she gives credit to early walks at dawn, and motherhood as to where she got her "real" education.

Carmela wrote her first published book, "Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?" after being inspired by her daughter Annie's tenacity. As they were readying for a hike in the Rocky's, her daughter, wearing denim coveralls, sparkling tutu, a messy t-shirt, mismatching socks and a crown askew on her head, asked the title question. Before Coyle could answer her daughter's pressing question, she asked a second one; "Do princesses have to brush their teeth?" and then a third.

Do Princesses stories have become an empowering ongoing series of books for little ones, selling over 1/2 million copies to date!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my daughter's favorite book!, August 12, 2003

By 

Michael Davidson (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? (Hardcover)

As a father, I enjoy nothing better than reading to my kids. It is such a wonderful way to connect and be involved in their lives and development. This book lights up the imaginations of little girls, not that they aspire to become princesses after reading it, but rather that they already ARE princesses! The book innocently introduces the child to her real self, and makes it OK to be just that - no need to pine away to be someone you aren't. If everyone could adopt that perspective, the world would be a much more loving place, and people would enjoy life with contentment and self esteem. Amazingly simple, yet profound. Thank you Carmela!!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure, June 26, 2006

By 

Emma (Milltown, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? (Hardcover)

This book has a great message for girls, one that all the Disney Princess hoopla seems to miss. While I understand what the person said about it not being a reading book my response is, "So what!" Some important messages can be stated simply and with few words but they remain important nonetheless. Not every book needs to be a reading/vocabulary builder. Books that help with self-esteem, especially for little girls, are few and far between and very, very, necessary. Lastly, the illustration is terrific.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive book for every little girl!, April 18, 2003

By 

Dari B. Wayne (Lawrenceville, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? (Hardcover)

Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? Yes we do! This is a terrific book for every little girl who has ever asked a question about herself. Of course, we all have and the mother's gentle wisdom with a smile reinforces to girls of all ages that it is alright to be yourself and to live life with joy. Sweetly written with warm illustrations...and a surprise on the last page, this is a must have for every little girl you know.