With baby girl number three on the way, I thought I would take a respite from movies and games to address one of my girls’ passions – their fascination with princesses. The Disney Princess Encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley (DK) Publishing became the recent source, and confirmation of this fascination.
This comprehensive resource contains a nice balance of information and pictures. The hard cover binding holds up to constant use and the 120+-page content provides great appeal for the primary audience — ages 5 to 12.
This encyclopedia goes beyond a simple marketing showcase of the Disney characters and movies, though it is nice for adults to stroll down memory lane with the young ones. Practical advice on the princess’ talents, including music and clothing styles, can initiate a young audience’s interests.
This book adds Mulan, Pocahontas, and Tiana (from Princess and the Frog) for a total of nine princesses expanding the Disney Princess Essential Guide, another DK book, which featured Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Cinderella, Jasmine (Aladdin), and Snow White.
This list, which coincides with Disney’s current website listing, follows a chronological order in the book according to each princess’s movie appearance beginning with Snow White and ending with Tiana who is featured on the cover with Ariel, Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella with Snow White, Mulan, Pocahontas, and Jasmine gracing the back cover.
Cases could be also made for including Princess Minnie Mouse, Nala (The Lion King), Princess Melody (The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea), Maid Marian (Robin Hood), Alice (Alice in Wonderland), Megara (Hercules), and Giselle (Enchanted). Some members of this group have been included in other “princess” products, but the base nine is included for now.
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