Princess Bubble

by Kimberly Webb, Susan Johnston

As seen on The TODAY Show, two successful single gals are throwing out an unstereotypical option, a redefined fairy-tale ending, happily ever after even without the prince. With wisdom gleaned from their careers as single, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a modern-day book that celebrates singleness. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that some single women face. Knowing how low self-esteem and depression plague many single females, we wanted to spread the message that happily ever after can occur even before Prince Charming arrives. . . or even if he never does, said Webb. We re definitely not anti-Prince, said Johnston (whose college nickname was Bubbles ). We re not anti-family or anti-marriage, if anything we re anti- Damsel in Distress. Our message the single life can also be a fairy tale. The End! Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her prince before she can live happily ever after. Princess Bubble dons her thinking crown to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up at FindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that living happily ever after is not about finding a prince. True happiness, the book reveals, is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already! We ve had countless women all over the nation tell us they wish there had been a book like this when they were young, said Johnston. This is a story women can truly believe in and feel comfortable sharing with their children.

35 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Amateur de Livre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Tim Gleichner

I am approaching this review differently than I would others. I am asking for help. As the father of girls ages 2 and 3, this book gave me a bedtime story and my daughters gave me an honest reaction.

This story follows classic fairy tale protocol....with a bit of a twist. All of Princess Bubble's friends find their Prince Charming and it is expected that it is only a matter of time before Princess Bubble does as well. The twist is, that Princess Bubble decides that she doesn't necessarily need a prince or money to find happiness, but will look within and find happiness there.

I thought it was a very positive message to send to girls everywhere, that each of us need to find our own happiness, to do what feels right, even if other may not understand.

My "helpers" liked the book although they are suckers for anything having to do with princesses. I liked the story as well but thought my girls were a little too young - this would be great for girls ages 7 and up and would be a real self-esteem boost.

Overall I thought this was a well written book with great illustrations and portrayed a very positive message.

Susan Johnston says:

Well, I am 41 and single and have not found a prince. I have a great life and have traveled the world and I am in love with my nephews. I saw little girls playing and their Barbie's always found a prince. I started thinking life does not always work out the way we expect but life can still be fulfilling. Shouldn't their be an alter ending. What if you found a prince and he got cancer shortly after the wedding. Shouldn't you have the knowledge that you can make it on your own and not expect someone else to be responsible for your happiness but share your happiness with a spouse, friend, sibling...

I want a 6 year old who is now hearing the story to remember in

10 years if she does not have a prom date
or in 20 years if she is a bridesmaid again!
or in 30 years if she wants to scream when asked, "Why aren't you married?"
to be able to remember reading Princess Bubble and to know she is a prince no matter what life throws her and she can readjust her tiara and continue on with confidence.

We have had mothers read the book to their daughters and say that reminded me I can not expect my husband to be everything but to share everything.
We also have a large single fan base because they relate.

Princess Bubble is a flight attendant so she will travel to different countries and learn about culture and how our differences make us special.

I would love to do something for boys because I have nephews-but I am probably too girly to hit the nail on the head. I hope my little boys (ages 20 month and almost 6) get form this they need to find a princess who is already happy.

I think the message is so important and hope to reach little girls later by planting a seed now.

Thanks for taking the time to review the book!

[Brenda Boger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the cutest book.

It is about time we taught girls true happily ever comes from within. I am such a fan I copied this news release from their site www.PrincessBubble.com

Happy Valentine’s Day without a Prince?

Featured on The TODAY SHOW in the segment, "Raising Confident Girls"

New Release, Princess Bubble, Strikes Chord with America’s 51% SINGLE WOMEN WHO, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN U.S. HISTORY, OUTNUMBER MARRIED WOMEN

ATLANTA, October 16, 2007—This Valentine’s Day almost 90 million Americans will celebrate the romantic holiday single. Two successful prince-less princesses show the world that being a stuffy Old Maid does not have to be "in the cards" for single woman today! Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb offer girls of all ages updated version of the traditional fairy tale. No longer a "Damsel in Distress," this princess travels the world, helps others, and finds "happily ever after" even before she finds her Prince!

With wisdom gleaned from their careers as single, globe-trotting flight attendants, first-time authors Susan Johnston and Kimberly Webb have crafted a modern-day book that celebrates singleness. A contemporary fairy tale for all ages, Princess Bubble was written to reduce the overwhelming sense of failure, self-doubt, and despair that some single women face.

"Knowing how low self-esteem and depression plague many single females, we wanted to spread the message that ‘happily ever after’ can occur even before Prince Charming arrives. . . or even if he never does," said Webb.

"We’re definitely not anti-Prince," said Johnston (whose college nickname was "Bubbles"). "We’re not anti-family or anti-marriage, if anything we’re anti-‘Damsel in Distress.’ Our message—the single life can also be a fairy tale. The End!"

Princess Bubble stars a princess who is confused by the traditional fairy tale messages that say she must find her "prince" before she can live "happily ever after." Princess Bubble dons her "thinking crown" to research traditional fairy tales, interviews married girlfriends, and even takes counsel from her mother, who advises her to sign up at FindYourPrince.com. With a little help from her fairy godmother (this is still a fairy tale after all), Ms. Bubble discovers that "living happily ever after" is not about finding a prince. "True happiness," the book reveals, "is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already!"

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Princess Bubble learns that she doesn't need a prince to be happy.