Anchovy's sparky DD needs better role models than Disney sodding Princesses

[Anchovy]

DD is 3.5. She is opinionated, bright as a button and extremely feisty. She will doubtless grow up to be either a James Bond heroine or prime minister

She has a fairly wide range of reading materials - likes Hairy McLary, Richard Scarry, etc. But what she really loves are princess/fairy-related things generally. I am (borderline!) fine about this, but I am absolutely sick to the back teeth of the Disney Princess books and their ilk.

I categorically refuse to read her stories where the plot line revolves around - I kid you not - waiting for "love's true kiss". Without exception the heroines are passive, wimpy and blonde and the story involves marrying a handsome prince (except the Little Mermaid, where I think he marries someone else, so she dies). There is one particularly noxious one, involving, a handsome prince called, I think, Brian, who the princess decorates the castle for and he says "what wonderful taste you have". I refuse to read things to DD which relate to pleasing a man called Brian with your exquisite taste in interior decor.

So far I have dealt with this by reading the stories in a weedy voice and shouting "Well, thats PANTS!" every so often. But what I really need is some clever, funny fairy stories with clever, funny heroines. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I do think the pervasiveness is a recent thing.

I was a grubby shaggy tomboy, and I didn't feel that much out of the swing of things when I was little (60s) as I am quite sure I would now. Luckily for her my daughter is entirely content surrounded by hair-bobbles, Sylvanians and ubiquitous fluffy pink unicorns. (Anyone like to have a go psychoanalysing the fluffy pink unicorns?)

Thanks, all. Any and all suggestions welcomed - does not have to have a fairy theme.

Joppe your question is an interesting one. I think I agree it is marketing led. I had nothing along these lines as a child. Maybe they existed and I just didn't get it (I was a girl sandwiched between 2 brothers). But I'm pretty sure not. This is possibly contentious, but I think the "princess/fairy" motif greatly appeals to some mothers as well, who are happy to buoy it up in their daughters.

I'm not, actually, and have firm'ish views about the pervasive "princessification" of small girls. But I'll save that for another thread and stick to my original quest of trying to find some better stories for DD than those that involve pandering to Prince Brian and his ilk!

Have so far escpaed the pink world of fairies/princesses etc with but with DD nearly 18 months, will it happen soon? Or will she be content with DS's world of transport?

A role model, hmmm
Margaret Thatcher ?
She did grow up to be Prime Minister. She also went to Oxford to do Chemistry at a time when it was very very hard to do so as a woman.

She got out of the political ghetto of having the "woman's job" of education minister. (Note how many labour education ministers have been women).

Forget the transport. Unless it involves taking Cinderella to the ball.
On the plus side, you shouldn't have to read Thomas too often to her.

I don't recall her featuring in any children's books though (although some might say she stepped straight from the pages of Joan Aiken). Which is what anchovy is after...

Idris, we managed OK with Maisy and Alfie and Annie Rose, so have so far dodged Felicity Wishes, Princess Poppy and all that other dire rubbish

DominiConnor - she has plenty of good actual role models , its the fictional ones that are a bit lacking.

Second "The Paperbag Princess". 'Tis a fab book.

PMSL @ the thought of Anchovy sitting down with her 3 year old dd and reading to her from 'The Downing Street Years'.

When I was little I remember my aunt reading me a book called ' the practical princess' it had loads of fairytales where the princesses actually did heroic stuff. I also remember reading a book called ' the wrestling princess' which was a more modern book with stories in the same vein. I think my aunt was trying to instill a bit of feminism in me at an early age. They were good books, not sure if they are still in print. I still have them in my bookcase

If you want fictional heroes then Batgirl comes to mind.

Have you got John Burningham's books? I really love them - lovely drawing style, but even more it's the kind of "feel" of them - children have total staunch independence, even if only in their imaginations.

Have just bought "Would You Rather .." for a friend's toddler, but ds, dd and I have all been sneakily looking at it - you'd think we'd all be way too old, but the page where you have to choose between the horrors of (i) "your mum having a row in a cafe" and (ii) "your dad doing a dance at school" is just irresistible.

This one is specially good for encouraging self-reliance in small girls. Ignore the review that says it's about the "tragedy of her loneliness" that's rubbish.

The Roald Dahl take on fairy tales are very funny - revolting rhymes and others. Cinderella, when realising what an idiot the prince is, marries a man who makes marmalade instead, and is much happier.

Princess Smartypants as someone else already said is a good feminist version - i seem to remember she scares off all suitors as she finds them all boring / irritating, and prefers her giant slugs and dragons.

My dd's favourites are the Blue Kangaroo books for the brilliant illustrations, and Melrose and Croc also by Emma Chichester Clarke.

Where the wild things are is a brilliant classic. We also love the 3 little wolves and the big bad pig by helen oxenbury which is really funny.

My dd is the same age as yours anchovy, so you are not alone ! My dd is mad abt princess/fairy stuff and has made us read disney books too ...but there is one princess book I dont mind reading - The Princess and the wizard by Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks ..beacuse this one doesnt have a 'marry the prince ending '! its quite educational getting her to tell me the colours and to count and the princess is actually smart when trying to escape from the princess and succeeds .....so maybe youill like this one ! happy reading x

Blast! I wanted to suggest the Paper Bag Princess! It is so utterly fabulous, it really is.

A certain Mumsnetter's daughter gave DD1 Chloe the sodding Topaz Fairy for her birthday.

Lauren Child has done some good takes on Fairy stories (The Storybook Wolves) and we like her Charlie and Lola books although I know some people do not.

Good luck with the Laura Ingalls series. We ground to a swift halt over the issue of slaughtering wildlife in order to eat and buy calico dresses..dd did not approve.

I just looked on Amazon for the paper bag princess - and the cheapest i could find it was £1,500!! Second cheapest was over £3,000.

Must be out of print, or exceptionally life changingly brilliant.

Boco

!

God Anchovy, I'm SO with you here, will read this thread tomorrow.

Well that must be a typo as you can get it at US Amazon for $5 Paperbag Princess we also love it.

We also enjoyed the Ordinary princess (for older chapter reading) for although she gets married in the end to a prince. She is ordinary, runs away from home to escape all thinigs princess and meets her prince while working as a kitchen maid and he as a "man of all work" and have a balanced relationship.

Boco ...i want the Paperbag Princess too ..and found one for £3.99 wiv Amazon - miles cheaper than £1500 !!

Thanks so much for this, everyone.

I feel we have banished Prince Brian already.

Apologies to anyone with a DH called Brian and an interest in interiors!

the night pirates

DS loves the "rough, tough, little girl pirates"

Oh, I'm liking that - can deffo see her as a girl pirate!

Thanks!