Chumbalina The Plump Princess

by Christopher Holley

Trailer- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cczhm...

In today's society, it's important to remind children that embracing their own individuality is a wonderful thing. Enter Chumbalina, a princess who enjoys eating so much she becomes an outcast. However, the tables are turned when a gluttonous giant comes to the kingdom and she must rescue everyone doing what she loves most, eating.

Chumbalina, the main character in this children's picture book, is teased for the way she looks and how much she eats. By viewing the world through her eyes, children will walk away recognizing that true beauty comes from within.

Chumbalina the Plump Princess teaches children to respect differences and find inner beauty in all of us! It embraces self-love, self-esteem and acceptance.

Genres: Childrens

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 13, 2015

About the author

New Yorker, Christopher Holley, has been an elementary school educator for over 15 years. Through working closely with children he has developed and refined his voice, drawing inspiration from greats like Roald Dahl, David A. Adler and Jeff Kinney.

In his children’s stories, Christopher tackles tough issues like water conservation, body image and acceptance. However, he has a whimsical side as well, telling tales of students being put in charge of their school, a fairy that grants moustaches and choosing super-duper super powers.

Moving forward, Christopher’s goals are to continue working closely with children as an educator, and to author many more fantastic, kid-friendly stories. He is also looking to connect with reviewers, agents, publishers and others in the industry, so he can learn and grow as a writer.

On a personal basis, Christopher is married and he simply loves dogs! In his spare time, he enjoys the Martial Arts, football and strategy games.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received all of these books from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: A World Without Water / Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: October 24, 2014

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 7+ (some scary moments)

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 34

Amazon Link

Synopsis: A World Without Water is an illustrated story-poem for young readers that illuminates how we can all help solve today's growing water crisis. Get washed away on this fanciful journey to a time and place in which the water has run out and see what can be done to conserve our most precious resource. Common themes in this picture book are saving water, conservation and tips for a cleaner environment.

Review: I thought this was a cute, but informative book on how to solve the water crisis. Children shouldn’t have to grow up ignorant to the world’s issues. While I want to preserve innocence too, they will one day inherit the Earth and we need to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. Teaching kids simple tricks and tips can help get them in the mindset to develop solutions to our present issues.
Book Series: Chumbalina the Plump Princess / Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: October 24, 2015

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 5+

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 44

Amazon Link

Synopsis: In today's society, it's important to remind children that embracing their own individuality is a wonderful thing. Enter Chumbalina, a princess who enjoys eating so much she becomes an outcast. However, the tables are turned when a gluttonous giant comes to the kingdom and she must rescue everyone doing what she loves most, eating.

Chumbalina, the main character in this children's picture book, is teased for the way she looks and how much she eats. By viewing the world through her eyes, children will walk away recognizing that true beauty comes from within.

Chumbalina the Plump Princess teaches children to respect differences and find inner beauty in all of us! It embraces self-love, self-esteem and acceptance.

Review: At first I thought that this book would focus too heavily on dieting for young girls, but the more I read it the more I realized the opposite. I loved that this book had a heroine who not only defied her well-meaning, but rude and thoughtless father and who felt the issues of being different, but also had her win and save herself and her kingdom. This is the type of heroine we should be teaching young children, the kind who stand up and know the difference between right and wrong, even when her own friends and family are in the wrong.

Book Series: If You Had A SuperPower What Would It Be? / Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: March 12, 2015

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 5+

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: ---

Amazon Link

Synopsis: If you had a super power what would it be?
Would you fly high in the sky or grow as tall as a tree?

Possessing super powers is a fantasy every child thinks about almost on a daily basis.

If You Had A Super Power What Would It Be? thrusts 2 best friends into this exact scenario, as they ponder what super powers they would have, only to realize that they don't need super powers to be SUPER.

Review: I felt that this was an adorable book. It doesn’t just teach kids about superheroes, but it shows kids that what’s most important is being a valued member of society. I felt that the powers were awesome and cool.

Book Series: The Moustache Fairy / Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: October 24, 2015

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 5+

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 44

Amazon Link

Synopsis: Alvin's missing moustache is causing him all sorts of grief. You see, everyone in the town of Mou has a marvelous moustache, except Alvin! After many failed attempts at attaining fabulous facial hair, he starts to wonder if a fresh-faced start in the town of Silky Smooth would be best, that is until his loving sister, the members of Mou and friendly fairy concoct the perfect plan to help shave the day. Sharing and acceptance are common themes in this beautifully illustrated picture book (The Rainbow Fish was a big inspiration for this story). Your face will feel warm and fuzzy from smiling so hard and you might even want your very own mustache after reading this fairy tale. You will never look at moustaches the same way again.

Review: I really smiled at this book. I felt that it was adorable and sweet. I loved the message about appearance and how little it really means. It can help kids who think they need to look a certain way find comfort in the beautiful selves they were born into.

Book Series: Diary of a Terrific Teacher / Standalone

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: July 30, 2018

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 12+

Publisher: ---

Pages: 243

Amazon Link

Synopsis: School is in session and things are about to get silly. Meet Mr. Hollywood, a first-year kindergarten teacher, who hopes to change the world one child at a time. The only problem is he has no idea what he is doing! Read his daily diary to find out how the school year turns out in this hilarious and entertaining tale based loosely on real-life teacher Christopher Holley's time in the classroom.

Review: I thought this book was really sweet. It was cute and while the teacher isn’t perfect, the teacher and students learn that you don’t need the perfect teacher to have the perfect classroom. It could have used more true life anecdotes, but it was sweet and good as is.
Book Series: If Students Ran the School

Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: October 24, 2015

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 5+

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 32

Amazon Link

Synopsis: What? Students in charge of the school! Whoever came up with such a ridiculous idea! Actually, as author Chris Holley delves inside the minds of today

Review: I thought this was an adorable story that would make any kid laugh. The art was awesome and the imaginative happenings were cool!

Book Series: Do Not Try This at Home: A Cautionary Tale about Wrestling


Rating: 4/5

Publication Date: August 15, 2016

Genre: Children’s

Recommended Age: 5+

Publisher: Createspace

Pages: 38

Amazon Link

Synopsis: It's Monday night and your favorite Wrestler is on T.V. staring across the ring from his arch nemesis! You watch him intensely, studying every move he makes... Just as you climb atop the coffee table to recreate his signature splash, your Mom yells, "STOOOOOPP!!!" Johnny and Frankie are 2 inseparable best friends with a passion for pro wrestling. They live, eat and breathe it. Wrestling is their life. In the beginning the boys were just spectators, watching weekly, playing with the figures and videogames, and creating their own wrestling personas. That was until Johnny got the itch and decided to convince Frankie to put on their very own wrestling match for all of their friends. Bringing the real life issues of peer pressure and the dangers involved in wrestling to the forefront, this tale tackles the unintended consequences of wrestling at home. This story is perfect for parents of children who love to imitate their favorite wrestlers, but do not realize that the injuries involved in Professional Wrestling are not pretend.

Review: I don’t know if you remember, but when wrestling was more popular a lot of kids got injured or died from injuries while imitating wrestling moves. I think a book like this is very needed for all kids. Kids don’t realize that what they see on TV can be dangerous and serious accidents can happen to them because of that. Definitely a must have for all little ones.

Verdict: I thought all of these books were absolutely adorable! Great children’s reads!

[Hemdiva Dev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chumbalina! I just loved her. The author smartly handles a very deep topic. It clearly states that you can't judge someone from how they look. The inner self is what matters. I also liked the fact that, despite everyone not appreciating her body, Chumbalina herself was proud of herself. We often feel bad about ourself because others make us feel so. I liked the end as well, the message of eating what is right and also what you like is awesomely combined. Illustrations are nice too. A modern story in fairy tale style with a very good message!! Kudos to the author :)

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fun read! Chunky girls of the world unite!
Love the message of loving a person for who they are on the inside.

[Juliet Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Chumbalina was not like the other princesses.

She did not care for looking beautiful. Nor did she want to fall in love with a handsome prince and live happily ever after.'

Chumbalina also loves to eat sweets and cakes and as a result she is plump. This is not considered a suitable trait in a princess so she is shunned by all the other princesses and her only friend is her plump grey cat.

When her father bans sweets from the kingdom in an attempt to try to make Chumbalina lose weight, she leaves home and runs away to the forest where sweeties grow on trees.

Meanwhile an ogre attacks the kingdom and Chumbalina rushes back home to challenge the giant to an eating contest. Will she be able to defeat the enemy? Will she be able to win friends by her efforts? Will she learn to love vegetables?

This is a fun read, with lively illustrations full of details that add to the written narrative. It's a great book for showing children that everyone matters and that everyone has talents that make them special.

[Traci Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world where women constantly focus on looking younger, slimmer, and prettier, this story geared toward young girls was a refreshing change of pace. My ten year old daughter adored it. Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive that the story line would encourage young girls to indulge in unhealthy eating habits for the sake of 'loving themselves on the inside'. I personally teach my daughter that what really matters is on the inside, but I also teach her healthy eating habits as well, for the sake of living longer and keeping her body strong and vibrant. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised by the turn of events in this tale and how the main female character came into her own understanding of the importance of a healthy relationship with her food and her body.

No matter the size or age, every young girl will love Chumbalina's story.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hunting for a particular, meaningful children’s book because my little daughter is unhappy with her baby fat. We are living in a very superficial world and the way our culture defines “beauty” is really affecting our younger generation. From Disney princesses (notice they are always on the skinny side) to the models we see on TV shapes our expectation of beauty. And because of this, many young women are battling anorexia, bulimia & etc. What I love about Chumbalina is that book sends a powerful message to our little girls; Chumbalina is fiercely independent, loving, brave and is true to herself.

My daughter and I truly enjoyed this book (we had some good laughs as well). A must buy if you have a little princess at home.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how Chumbalina is no ordinary princess, that she doesn’t care about being beautiful or finding a handsome prince; all she wants to be is herself, embracing her individuality. The thing that her “individuality” includes eating nothing but junk food, which concerned me as this might promote gluttony and obesity. Kids do not need to gorge on sweets, and I’m glad the author thought that as well by adding a twist that the eating contest would consist of eating nothing but vegetables.

Again, the illustrations were cute and funny. I’m not too fond of princess stories, but it was alright.

[Jessica Ozment · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I read it to my daughter who is one year old. It kept her attention easily. Being able to relate to this book had me right at home with the main character Chumbalina. This is a great way to teach your children to love who you are, even if it means that other people don't understand. I'm definitely recommending this children's book to my fellow motherhood community. :)

[Sue Hieber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for any overweight child. I read it before giving it to my granddaughter who is 5 foot tall, weighs 160, and is 9 years old. I won this book from Goodreads giveaways and I' m glad I did.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story, loved the graphics as well.

[Heidi Lynn’s BookReviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I want to thank Christopher Holley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.

The princess in Chumbalina the Plump Princess by Christopher Holley is very relatable as I was once her. Well not a princess per say. But someone who was overweight that marched to my own beat and didn’t care what others think.

This book was mostly about body image and in the beginning of the book Chumbalina is portrayed as the “FAT” Princess. The word BIG is also referred to her as well many times. When Chumbalina goes for dress fittings her dress rips at the seam. Also, there is one line in the book that is emotionally abusive to Chumbalina in reference to her eating and meeting her prince. Trust me my own mother used that line on me many times growing up.

This book eventually at the end of the book does have a good message. However, how they finally get to you should not judge a book by its cover was a unique one.

I have a 6-year-old niece who I love as she was like my own. As much as I loved the Illustrations in the book. I honestly don’t think Christopher put himself inside the mind of a child who would be reading this book. Not to mention their parent. If I was a parent of a child with a weight problem this would be the last book I would read to them.

[Jawknee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy off this book from a Goodreads giveaway, thanks to the author!
It took three months for it to arrive in the mail. But it was worth the wait!

A cute little story about a cute, not-so-little princess.
Chumbalina doesn't quite fit in due to her size. (No pun intended.)
But she doesn't let that stop her from being who she is.
She's big and she's proud, and doesn't plan on giving up food any time soon.
Until the king, her own father, decides she needs to lose weight...

Chumbalina decides to run away from home.
Then a hungry, gigantic giant attacks, and there's only one person who can out-eat him!

[iamjenai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since having health issues the past year, it has become my mission to make my family eat healthy. Chumbalina's fairy tale story is simple but this picture book tremendously helped me improve my kids' diet. Now they understand the importance and benefits of healthy eating. Love the illustrations and matching colors!

Definitely, a book I recommend for struggling moms out there looking for ways to make their young kids eat healthy.