10 Bed Time Books For Your Independent Princess

I love Disney movies.

There I said it. Judge me if you dare.

However, now that I’m a little older and wiser I can see how those old school princesses may not be setting the best example if you’re trying to raise an independent daughter. Cinderella waited for a man to make everything better, Snow White married a man she didn’t know after he kissed her while she was asleep, and Belle clearly had Stockholm Syndrome.

If you agree that Disney princesses leave little to be desired as role models, here are ten books to read with your independent princess instead.

 

1. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

The story of the fearless Princess Elizabeth who must rescue her betrothed, and then deal with his ungrateful behavior afterwords. Sometimes Prince Charming isn’t always in the cards.

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Source: Amazon

2. Princeless: Save Yourself by Jeremy Whitley and M. Goodwin

After being locked in a tower to await the rescue of a handsome prince, the fed up Adrienne Ashe decides to take matters into her own hands. This swashbuckling, reluctant princess proves you absolutely do not need a man to save yourself.

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Source: Amazon

3. Don’t Kiss the Frog!: Princess Stories with Attitude by Fiona Waters

For the girl who wants to wear her tiara and play in the mud, here are six stories that will show her the power of being her own person.

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Source: Amazon

4. The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Finally an imperfect princess. The Goose Girl follows the story of Princess Ani who is pushed into the role of servant after a mutiny. She recognizes that she must come to terms with her own gifts before she happily can lead anyone else.

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Source: Amazon

5. Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle

For the princess with a lot of questions, and the patient parents who answer them, this is the book for you. Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots is all about self-acceptance and learning that being a real princess comes from what’s on the inside.

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Source: Amazon

6. Princess Smartypants by Babette Cole

Princess Smartypants absolutely does not want to get married, but her parents have other ideas. While the princess agrees to look for a husband, she disqualifies all of them with the impossible task she sets them. Well, all except for Prince Swashbuckle.

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Source: Amazon

7. Sleeping Bobby by Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne

We are all familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty; well, this is exactly like the original tale…except it’s the handsome prince that finds himself in need of rescuing!

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Source: Amazon

8. Dangerously Ever After by Dashka Slater

Dangerously Ever After is the story of a princess who lives life with a little edge, and teaches us that our ideas about beauty should be as elastic as the ones we have about princesses.

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Source: Amazon

9. Not All Princesses Dress in Pink by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple

This well illustrated and heartwarming book teaches little princesses that it’s ok to be different. Princesses come in all shapes and sizes and have all different kinds of interests! What’s most important is being true to yourself.

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Source: Amazon

10. The Princess Knight by Cornelia Funke

The Princess Knight is the story of brave Princess Violet who sets out to prove to everyone (especially her family) that anything the boys can do, she can do better.

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Source: Amazon

So, whatever your little princess enjoys, she’s sure to find something here to inspire and motivate her!

YouTube Channel: Barbie

 

Featured image via Elevated Today

h/t A Mighty Girl