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As a role model, however, princess-hood is a decidedly mixed bag. Who doesn’t want their little girl to enjoy princess-league perks and privileges? On the other hand, who wants their daughters to think that the way to achieve this is by marrying into it or by inheriting it from your father?
That’s the conundrum that Shirin Yim Bridges beautifully navigates in her new series, “The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses.”
Bridges will give a reading and presentation at Catfish Books on 11th Street in Lakeport from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18.
“Most of my writing is about girls who manage to do what few people think is possible,” explained Bridges, the award-winning children’s author of Ruby’s Wish and The Umbrella Queen. “Now my focus is on real princesses throughout history who’ve accomplished incredible things in their own right. These stories blend messages of female empowerment with the romance and enchantment surrounding princesses.”
The series, aimed at girls ages 9 through 13, includes histories of six princesses: Hatshepsut of Egypt, Artemisia of Caria, Sorghaghtani of Mongolia, Qutlugh Terkan Khatun of Kirman, Isabella of Castile, and Nur Jahan of India.
The books are richly illustrated with photographs and maps, and lovely pen-and-watercolor paintings by Albert Nguyen, whose art helps to bring the stories of these fascinating girls vividly to life.
“The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses” brings Shirin Bridges’ lyrical storytelling to some of the most inspiring – and little known – tales in history. They’re the first offerings from Goosebottom Books, Bridges’ fledgling new press.
“I’m a big believer in fun non-fiction for girls of this age. These princesses are incredible role models of empowerment. Their stories are fascinating in their own right, but also hold powerful lessons for children – lessons that we aim to sneak through in a fun and palatable way. We call it ‘stealth education.’”
“The fascination with princesses seems innate in little girls,” says Bridges, whose multi-cultural storytelling reflects her years living all over the globe. “But when girls reach a certain age they want a little more meat. We believe this series is the perfect move on from Disney princesses and fairy tales.”
“The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses” is designed to whet their appetites for learning through reading, well into the future. Work has already begun on Goosebottom’s second series, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Dastardly Dames, which will include volumes by six contributing authors.
