Do Princesses Scrape Their Knees?

Princesses

by Carmela LaVigna Coyle, Mike Gordon (Illustrator)

When I grow up can I be sporty like you? You can do anything you set your mind to. This is NOT your average big-sister princess! This active princess plays soccer, does yoga, falls on the ice, and scrapes her knobby knees while showing her little brother how to be sporty, too. This charming story helps children see that it's okay to fall down and scrape their knees when trying something new, even when showing off for a sibling. It's the trying and the fun that count. Through belly-flops and missed baskets, our priceless princess discovers that doing your best is all that really matters, even when your little brother is tagging along.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Princesses, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Carmela LaVigna Coyle's first book, Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? is enjoyed by little princesses everywhere. And now there are several Do Princess titles to choose from. She writes from her studio in Colorado with a puppy on her lap, and beside a wall of glass "to better see the seasons."

Carmela wrote her first story, "Forget-Me-Not," when she was ten-years-old. She hasn't forgotten it... she just can't find it.

She's married, and has two fabulous college age children.

Carmela has a degree in Elementary Education.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary:
This is NOT your average princess! This active princess plays soccer, does yoga, falls on the ice, and scrapes her knobby knees. This charming story, by the author of the runaway hit Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?, helps children see that it's okay to fall down and scrape their knees when trying something new. It's the trying and the fun that count! Through belly-flops and missed baskets, our princess discovers that doing your best is all that really matters—even when your little brother is
"When I grow up can I be sporty like you? You can do anything you set your mind to."

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and humorous romp through a day with a brother and a sister. They are outside, playing games, swimming at the pool, skating at an ice rink, even doing yoga indoors. I love the rhythmic and rhyming narrative and the depictions of two very active children. It also offers a strong message of encouragement, that "You can do anything you set your mind to."

[Carly Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Jacque's Award

Level: Early

Genre: Picture Book

Topic: Modern Princesses in the form of all little girls

Curricular Use: Shared Reading

Social: Doing anything that you set your mind to, all little girls are princesses who are strong and free

Literary Elements: Rhyming, humor

Strong Interaction between the pictures and text

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just another "meh" book. I have a hard time getting behind these books because of their titles. Only one part actually was about scraping her knees. It should have been called something like "Princesses play with their little brothers". That's what the book was actually about...

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the hiking title...

[Dbennett20 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute book that my seven year old picked out to read. She loved it.

[Hollie Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you tell I am a fan of these books?

[jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Nice interaction between the brother and sister.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copyright: 2006
Genre: realistic fiction
Thoughts: Good story about the princess/tomboy playing with her brother.

[Sydney Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coyle depicts a young princess who is outgoing, sporty, and a bit clumsy. Throughout the book, her little brother tags along hoping to be as sporty as her when he grows up. The theme of the book is to always try your hardest. Even if you fall and scrape your knees, like she does numerous times, always get back up and keep trying. I loved the book and thought the message behind it is inspiring to today's youth. I would incorporate this book in a lesson about never giving up.

[Brooke Klamerus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the third book in the Princesses Rule Series and it shows a girl's little brother asking her about all the sporty things she does and in the end, he finds out that he can do anything g he sets his mind to. This book is great for younger kids learning to rhyme and read and it is very inspiring.

[Clwseattle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book with awesome illustrations

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun rhyming book with a little boy wanting to be just like his older sister.

[Sofie Buynak-Casassa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the brother and sister relationship. It was short and sweet and we loved the illustrations However, what we love most of all is that it's funny!

[Ezekiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this today and bought it as soon as I read it. Too often (certainly for myself this is more true than I'd like) there is a reflexive dislike of femininity and the expression of it. Many feminist parents desperately try to keep their daughters from going through a princess phase. But femininity isn't the problem! It's in fact the demonization of it and the lack of respect for those who embrace it that is. So this book does a good job of showing a kid who identifies as a princess, and as relatively enjoying of childhood femininity, but who is looked up to by her younger brother, and who still engages in fun things. She is good at some things, bad at others, and willing to fail.

I think this book will help create a better world with less misogyny. Get it for your (presumably) boy identified child, get it for your (presumably) girl identified child. No matter who reads it, it'll be for the best.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far to often, little girls are categorized as either tomboys or "girly girls." This book shows young girls that they do not have to fit into a preordained category. This book shows young girls that they can simultaneously be a princess and a tomboy. This is also an important read for young boys because it shows them that "playing like a girl" is not something that girls should be ashamed of.

In addition to breaking down gender stereotypes, this book also shows children the importance of grit. The protagonist continues to try even after she fails. Ultimately, this is a great book for children because it invalidates gender stereotypes and shows the importance of trying again until they succeed.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad... These books show "princesses" doing all kinds of things, and I love that the little brother wants to be "sporty" like his big sister when he grows up. I'm just not a fan of the whole princess thing to begin with, and the colors are very gender-segregated (she's always wearing pink and purple, he's in yellows and blues). Nice enough book, but it doesn't make my list of princess books to recommend.

[Shelly Itkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is adorably written for young children to enjoy. Yes girls do play soccer, do yoga, fall and scrape there knees and even ice skate or help to shoot a hoop. The illustrations are lovely and make the story even more enjoyable. Girls can do anything they put there minds to and as a bonus the author has included a pink "special" ribbon for your own Princess.
Great way to teach young girls not to be afraid and try things that they think are more for boys.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sister is a great role model to her little brother. She is a sporty little princess that is not afraid to try new things. Among her activities is playing soccer, riding bicycles, skating, ice skating,and doing yoga. A little scrape won't stop her. Her brother wants to be just like her when he grows up. Read to find out what her brother dreams of accomplishing one day.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book a cute book that girls can relate to. The illustrations are fun to look at too. The speaker's response to everything is funny so I like to have the kids who can't read yet guess what she will say next.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't say I love the series, but if your child is into "princess culture," then, by all means...
The author has some very clever rhyming verse, with a plucky main character.

[Mike Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, there were solo many!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure about this one. I like the idea of it but it somehow just did not sit right with me. Because I cannot explain why that is, I split the difference and gave three stars.

[Dianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the worse picture books I have seen. Not only is the font on the front cover atrocious, but the text inside didn't even make sense to me. The pictures were so-so. Moving on . . .

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is great for big sisters and for the girl who is an active princess. My niece loves them and I recommend for any little girl.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

really liked this series and my daughter was really interested in them.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl pretends to be a princess. This rhyming tale is part of series and is "saccharine sweet," but will definitely appeal to fans of princess stories.

[Izaiha Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first issue with this book lies in the very title. NOWHERE in the novel is the young girl asked whether or not princesses scrape their knees, yet magically her knees are scraped in one particular scene. A reader would not even be aware of this minute detail until her brother asks where princesses put band-aids. Which leads me to my next point...this poor girl's younger brother is asking his sister, whom he clearly loves, many questions, yet all he receives in response are backhanded responses full of sarcasm and disdain. My heart wept for this little boy who simply wanted answers from a sister he clearly holds in such high esteem. In response to the band-aid question, the girl says, "Princesses can put them wherever they please" and she places band-aids in a way that cover her brother's mouth so he cannot ask her anymore questions. What type of cruel, and demonic sister hates innocent questions SO much that she will attempt to silence such an innocent boy? AND WHERE ARE THEIR PARENTS!? All the while their daughter is being rude, they are nowhere to be found until the mom gives them two sundaes. Lastly, I consider this girl a witch instead of a princess (or girl for that matter). There is an illustration of her doing yoga on the door and instead of her feet holding her in place she is floating. I am not sure what type of trickery this witch is into and I was unaware the family lived in Salem, Massachusetts, however, we need to place this witch on trial for real this time.