I love adding new books to my home library, especially children’s books for my two kiddos. I am particularly fond of books that have messages of empowerment for my daughter. I am teaching both my children that boys and girls can do all the same things. Thus, when recently offered the chance to review Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add to my home library.
Author and Illustrator
Carol P. Roman is the award-winning author of both the Captain No Beard and If You Were Me and Lived in… series. She started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Captain No Beard has been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, received the Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. Her If You Were Me and Lived in… books combine her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around her. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.
Based in Bulgaria, freelance illustrator Mateya Arkova strives to take readers with her illustrations to a funny cartoonish world of great adventure with bright pastel colors and curvy lines. Her favorite source of inspiration is traveling the world and drawing its vivid colors. Her comics have been published in the magazine Komikser. She has illustrated more than twelve children’s e-books of famous fairytales.
Price
Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova currently retails for $12.99 with a sale price of $11.68 on Amazon. At 36 pages, this full-color paperback is priced comparatively to other children’s books of similar length. I therefore rate the current pricing positively.
Text
“Can a princess be a firefighter?” begins the book of the same name. Throughout the book, two little girls ask their father whether a girl can be a professional and still be a princess. “Hummm, with so many great opportunities, did it ever occur that you could two?” he eventually replies. Motivated by her granddaughter’s fascination with all things princess, Carole P. Roman penned this sweet children’s poem celebrating all the wonderful possibilities waiting in life.
I love that Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? is an empowering picture book that encourages children to follow their dreams. I tell both my kids that they can do whatever they set their hearts to do. I especially do not limit my daughter or son based on their gender. When I first told my daughter the title of this book, she was not quite sure how to answer the question. Now she answers an enthusiastic yes! If she can pretend that she is the king and her little brother is the queen, then a princess surely can be a firefighter. The biggest message of the book is to never limit your dreams. I will definitely be reading this book over and over again to both my kids because this is a message that I strive to reinforce.
My preschooler daughter has been learning to read since last fall and has been reading fairly independently for the past few months. She was able to pick up Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? and read most of the words on her own on her first try. The text is interesting enough for adults to read again and again but easier enough for early readers. I definitely recommend this book for preschoolers through the first through grades of school. Older kids can also enjoy the message of empowerment.
Illustrations
I really like the illustrations in Can a Princess Be a Firefighter?, which I find bright and playful. The illustration style features soft lines but plenty of colors. My preschooler daughter especially likes all the pinks, which is her favorite color. My toddler son likes looking at the pictures as well because he loves colorful drawings. Even as an adult, I find the colorful illustrations quite captivating. I especially enjoy pouring over all the smaller details.
Each colorful page of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? is full of whimsical pictures of the two little girls dressed up in the costume of uniform of each profession. One intriguing aspect of the illustrations is that only the girls are shown fully, never the parent. I love that this book is shown from the view of the children. Kids can more easily relate to the main characters because the illustrations reflect a child looking up to ask questions of his or her mother or father. All in all, I really like the illustrations in this sweet and empowering children’s book.
Final Verdict
If you are searching for a book with an empowering message for a little girl (or boy), check out Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? written by Carole P. Roman and illustrated by Mateya Arkova. The biggest message of this sweet book is to never limit your dreams. My preschooler daughter is already able to read most of the book on her own, so this title is perfect for preschoolers through early readers. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and whimsical, showing only the perspective of the two little girls who are the main character. My children and I highly recommend Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? if you are looking for a book about following your dreams.
Purchase Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? on Amazon via my affiliate link.
Image Credits
Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? Book Review © 2016 Heather Johnson
Cover of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? 1 © 2016 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Can a Princess Be a Firefighter? 2 © 2016 Heather Johnson
