The Warrior Princess is a yogi's tale of facing and overcoming obstacles. On a deeper level, it is about learning about oneself and one’s inner strength, knowing you are valuable just as you are. The story begins with the narrator, a fox, asking its listeners to settle in for the tale of the Warrior Princess. The heroine of the story seeks to find her true self. She asks everyone, and the world tells her. The giraffe says she’s too short. The peacock says she’s not as pretty as her. The frog says she’s not the right color. She is afraid they are right, but she pushes on because she is the Warrior Princess and deep down their answers don’t feel right. She learns that these self-doubts are part of the obstacles that keep her from seeing her true self. She finds the truth with the help of a wise old lion. This children's book is more than a tale affirming one's self-worth. The intent of this book is to be a springboard for open-ended conversation with listeners, interactive activities in the vein of ISpy, and an introduction to the self-empowering world of yoga. The story comes alive with colorful characters in beautiful landscapes and playful sub-story imagery, such as the caterpillar who appears eight times until you spy him encased in his cocoon soon to be a butterfly. Tucked into every spread are hidden yoga poses waiting to be discovered. The story is timely. Yoga for children has become popular as parents who are familiar with yoga are introducing it to their children. Well-regarded for its positive influence on children, yoga is being integrated into daily routines in elementary and middle schools. There are not, however, a lot of books that touch on yoga for children. The books that are available, teach yoga poses. That is not the intention of this book (though an inside page features yoga poses alongside its animal representation). Readers may be somewhat familiar with yoga or they may not be at all. The universal truth portrayed in the story that each of us is valuable (is enough) is the main takeaway.
