The Princess and the Pee

LoveReading4Kids Says

March 2024 Debut of the Month

A wonderfully appealing and reassuring debut picturebook that deals with the problem of bed wetting, but is anything but a dull issues book.

Firstly, it is set in a refreshingly diverse royal family where no character is a stereotype : we see the king fainting, the queen playing knights and the granny hunting dragons for example.

Secondly it is beautifully illustrated with vibrant, warm pictures that enhance and extend the text. With clear repetition and enchanting characters, the written words often burst into rhyming lines, that make the story more memorable still.

Finally, what a genius idea to tackle a tough, and sometimes embarrassing, issue for children with a fairytale twist -it really is such a great title!

Most importantly it emphasizes something parents may need to be reminded of, that the stress you put on your child to not wet the bed could be increasing their anxiety and causing the very problem that you want to stop. There are not always quick fixes and every “expert” will have different ideas, although maybe not as bonkers as those lemons or a tickling toilet that the palace staff come up with.

As Granny Grace demonstrates to our little Princess Amma, love and attention may work better than gimmicks, overlaid routines and rewards. Grandma helps her to relax at bedtime by telling stories and saying she is loved no matter what and that a little bit of pee won't come between them. Approaching issues like this with compassion and kindness is always best for the child.

Joy Court

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