The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink
#10 of 11 in The Princess in Black Series
What’s inside...
When plans for a ball run a-foul, Princess Magnolia accepts the help of a valiant new hero to save her secret decorations—and the entire evening! Princess Magnolia is at the Flower Festival prepping for the evening ball when suddenly she hears a commotion. Oh no! She isn’t prepared to fight a monster or a grumpy emu! To her surprise, a knight in shining armor comes to the rescue, but not before the princess’s prized decorations are stomped on and destroyed. Luckily, the gallant Prince Valerian has his own secret identity—the Prince in Pink—and has been yearning for a chance to show off his special skills, with the help of some twinkle-twinkle and major glam. Glitter has been restored, but then the angry emu returns—with friends! Can the party heroes step up to save the day again? Expect the unexpected as this sparkling new entry in the New York Times best-selling series takes the floor with a flourish.
Discussion points
What do you think makes the Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink special or different from other characters you know?
How do the Princess and Prince show courage and teamwork?
Why do you think it's important that the Princess wears black and the Prince wears pink?
What would you do if you were in the Princess or Prince's shoes during their adventure?
How did the story make you feel? Were there parts that made you excited, scared, or happy?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, validating their emotions and insights.
Use the discussion to explore themes of identity and breaking stereotypes, relating them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Ask follow-up questions to delve deeper into your child's understanding and perspective of the book.
Connect the characters' experiences to your child's own life, asking if they’ve ever felt similar to the Princess or Prince in any situation.
End the conversation by asking your child how they might rewrite one part of the story differently, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Breaking Gender Stereotypes
Explanation: The book features characters such as the Prince in Pink, who challenges traditional gender roles by enjoying colors and activities typically associated with the opposite gender.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their interests and choices are valid, regardless of gender norms, encouraging them to freely express themselves and respect others' choices.
Example Lesson: Bravery and Courage
Explanation: The Princess in Black shows bravery by tackling problems and facing challenges head-on.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be courageous in confronting their fears and to be proactive in solving problems they encounter in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Collaboration
Explanation: Characters in the book work together to overcome obstacles, highlighting the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children see the value of cooperating and building friendships to achieve common goals, which is a vital skill in group activities and education settings.
Example Lesson: Acceptance and Inclusivity
Explanation: The book portrays a variety of characters who are accepted and celebrated for their unique traits and preferences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of inclusivity and acceptance, fostering an environment where diversity is embraced in their communities and schools.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters encounter various challenges that they must think creatively to resolve.
Real-World Application: This narrative encourages children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills that are applicable in real life situations, from academic challenges to social interactions.